Sara Jo Cluff - Daphnes Questionable Bet

Chapter One

O nesie pajamas were basically the greatest creation of all time. Nothing beat lying down on the couch, snuggly in a onesie, and reading a blood-curdling horror novel by the warm fire. The hood of the onesie had to be up, of course, my sea of dirty-blonde wavy hair tucked in the back so I wouldnt twirl it.

Scratch that. Reaching back, I secured a thin length of hair in my hand, twirling it around my finger and thumb, really working the strands as I got sucked into the chapter.

Id pulled the coffee table close to me, sliding the rug over the wood floor, so my hot chocolate could be within arms reach.

My night was looking optimistic.

Two hair-raising chapters in, Psycho by Post Malone rang out from my phone. I hurried to snatch it from the coffee tableknowing it was my best friend Veronica video callingmy hand smacking into the mug in the process. Hot chocolate cascaded down my hand, searing my skin.

I was too busy shaking out my hand to really appreciate Veronica dancing on the screen, knowing what song would be playing on my end. I pressed the answer button as I wiped my other hand on my pink Cheer Care Bear onesie.

Why do you look like you just found sour cream on your plate? Veronica asked, her dance coming to a halt. Judging from the confined space and dresses hanging on the hooks behind her, she was in a dressing room.

I held up my hand, even though the evidence was already gone. Spilled hot chocolate on myself.

Oof, thats gotta hurt. Veronicas long, black hair hung down around her face, smooth and shiny. Her thick lips were covered in loose skin since she bit her lip so much.

I stuck out my tongue in disgust. And now Im thinking about sour cream.

Cherry Coke.

Sighing in relief, I sunk back into the couch, holding my phone out in front of me. Much better.

She narrowed her brown eyes, trying to take in the hood of my onesie. Whats the mood today?

I angled the phone so she could see the rainbow covering my stomach. Happy.

Good. I need your help. She changed the view on her phone so I could see her through the mirror. A? The short navy-blue chiffon dress was cut low, the sequins glittering in the store light. She set the phone on a chair, darkness filling up the screen.

As she shuffled aroundchanging into another dressI took a sip of my hot chocolate. I frowned at the top of it. It should have been covered in melty marshmallow goodness, but we were out.

Or B? Veronica asked. Shed changed into a burgundy dress with a high neck and lace cap sleeves, the skirt hanging just above her knees.

B. I sipped the hot chocolate, the mug warming my hand.

She pursed her lips. You didnt even ask what I need it for. That could change your answer.

Doesnt matter. Your mom will kill you if you wear A, and B is a better color on you.

Tilting her head to the side, she stared at herself in the mirror. Thats what I was thinking, but DeShawn likes the color blue.

I almost dropped the phone. Im sorry, did you just say DeShawn?

Her grin practically split her face in two. We have a date tomorrow night!

DeShawn. I set the mug on the coffee table so I wouldnt spill any more liquid on myself. My heart was hammering in shock.

She hopped up and down a few times, letting out a squeal. Yes! She cringed when she remembered she was in a dressing room, checking over her shoulder like someone would actually be standing there.

The same DeShawn youve hated since elementary school? The one you added to your hit list in middle school?

Veronica waved her hand. Thats old news. Hes totally changed. She wiggled her eyebrows. Hes all buffed up now.

The same DeShawn thats a running back on the football team, and you told me a few weeks ago after a game that he should run himself on back to Loserville where he belongs?

She placed her hand on her hip. You really need to get past all that and focus here.

I pulled back the hood of my onesie, running my fingers through my messy hair. Im sorry, I just dont know how to process this. In third grade, you told him the two of you were sworn enemies, and youd rather take a thousand daggers to the heart than be in a reading group with him. I smiled. I knew in that moment that Id picked the perfect best friend.

Veronica threw out a hand. How do you remember all of this?

I slapped on my best duh expression. It was a monumental moment in my life.

She blew out a deep breath, sending some hair that had fallen in front of her face billowing. I swear, you remember the most random things.

The rumble of the garage door echoed down the hall, letting me know Mom was home. I checked the time on my rose-gold smartwatch.

Moms home early, I mumbled.

Veronica leaned closer to the phone, her fake eyelashes and penciled-on eyebrows taking up most of the screen. I cant understand you when you mumble.

The back door slammed open, and I spun around in time to see Mom running down the hall, peeling off her high heels in the process and throwing them on the ground.

Im in a Hurry by Alabama played in my mind, reminding me of my dad. One of his favorite bands.

Get packed! Mom rounded the corner and tossed her purse on the kitchen table. The leather slid effortlessly across the wood, thankfully stopping short before it could fall off the table. Were moving.

The song in my head came to a screeching halt, like records being scratched, making me cringe. Worst. Sound. Ever.

Wait. What?

Moving?

Shaking the screeching record from my head, I stared after Mom in shock, my mind frantically trying to piece together what was happening. I must have heard her wrong.

What? I yelled at the same time Veronica did.

Turn the phone around so I can see her! Veronica snapped.

I did as I was told.

Mom, call me silly, but I swear it sounded like you said we were moving. I sat up, watching my words settle in her eyes, and the determined nod that followed caused a whimper to crawl up my throat. I had heard her right. Reaching up, I tucked my hood back over my head, feeling the darkness looming. Something bad was about to happen.

Mom started undoing the buttons on her blouse as she moved toward the stairs. You heard me right. I want to be out by tonight.

Lets keep this PG, Mrs. Richards, Veronica said.

Mom paused her unbuttoning and squinted at the phone. Oh, hey, Veronica. How are you doing? She waved her hand. Sorry, I dont have time for small talk right now. Daphne, get upstairs and pack up everything worth keeping. She bounded up the stairs two at a time, moving quite deftly for wearing a pencil skirt.

I watched her ascend the stairs, confused. We were moving? Why? Where?

Why are we still sitting here? Veronica shrieked. Follow her!