Party Girl Read Online Free PDF Page A

trying to pull a Tammy Faye on me.
    “This is what you came here for, Landon?” I chastise myself. “To cry your way home because the big kids are mean to you?”
    I am stronger than this. I will not cry, I will not cry, I will . . . I need something to focus on, I need . . . the right song! I scroll quickly through the playlist on my phone and find what I’m looking for.
    When the first few lines of the Taylor Swift song come on, I already feel better. I crank the volume until the windows shake with the twang of her guitar strings in my crappy stereo. By the time the chorus hits, I’m belting the words along with her and slamming my hand down on the steering wheel to punctuate our shared angst at being picked on by bullies. I’m sure the other cars around me are enjoying the view of the crazy girl crying and singing at the top of her lungs, but I don’t care. I don’t have time to wallow; I’ve got a dream job to land.
    Over an hour later, when I pull into my own parking spot at home, I’ve cried off all my makeup and most of my eyelashes, but I’m resolved and ready to go back tomorrow and show them that I don’t scare easily.

Chapter THREE
    I walk into the Volturi’s office the next morning at 8:57 a.m. McKenna is dressed in another set of perfectly tailored slacks, and his pin-striped suit jacket is draped over the back of his chair. I wonder if this professor thing is his signature look. He does a once-over of my all-black ensemble: a dress that can really be described only as “cocktail attire” and black pumps. It is one of my few options since I don’t really own a lot of black. McKenna’s eyes widen slightly as if I just walked into his office in a clown suit, but I just stand there and smile back at him like I’m competing for Miss America. I’ve decided that no matter what they say to me today, I’m going to keep this look on my face.
    “Sit.” He points to my chair from yesterday that’s been rolled into the small space between the open door and the wall . . . I’m literally sitting in the corner.
    I slide my bag under the chair and look up at him expectantly.
    “OK, Brinkley, there’s no shallow area here. You’ll be thrown directly into the deep end. If you can’t swim, you’ll drown, got it?”
    I nod.
    “First you’ll need to—” He shudders with a tremor of annoyance. “Are you going to take notes, or do you have something better to do?”
    “Of course. I’m sorry.” I scramble for my bag and remove a glittery pink notebook and a matching pen. He starts talking again before I’ve even cracked the page.
    “First of all you’ll need to speak with Chadwick. He’s supposed to have centerpiece options for the Rhinestone after-party. Speaking of which, we’ll need a collection of decor inspiration, something unique and original for that event. Come up with a list of jewel-themed ideas . . . You did bring your laptop, correct?”
    “No, I—”
    “Ugh! Go borrow one from Taylor. Don’t show up here again without bringing your own.”
    “OK, I—”
    “Now Brinkley. Get the laptop now.” He sighs heavily as if dealing with me is the most tedious chore on earth, so I hop to my feet before I can annoy him further.
    The central office area is at the same level of chaos as yesterday, only with new outfits. I look around, confused; I’m not really sure who Taylor is or where he sits. Rather than embarrass myself by wandering aimlessly, I sneak over to Miko to ask directions. She smiles up at me, but before I can open my mouth, I realize she’s on a call; I don’t want to bug her. I raise my hand in apology and start to back away, but she covers her phone receiver before I can sneak away.
    “It’s OK. What do you need?” she whispers.
    “Sorry! Do you know who Taylor is?” I whisper back.
    “He’s the head of production, sits on the far side of the office, but you’ll probably find him out in the production room.”
    “Thanks!”
    Miko smiles and waves