Reawakened Secrets Read Online Free PDF

free-fall to the pit of my stomach. How could I make Alice understand that I didn’t fit where she did so perfectly? The fact that Jackson hadn’t invited me was of no concern to her at all.
    “Don’t be silly, Claire. We’ve been friends forever. Of course you’re invited, too,” she said.
    I knew it wasn’t true. Jackson had been increasingly distant since that day at the lake. At first, I thought it was just my imagination. Why would he avoid me? But he never seemed to be with Alice when I was, and we didn’t spend time alone anymore. Did it embarrass him that I was a year younger, even though I’d graduated with them? Or had he finally noticed how much being near him made me tremble, and that my eyes tracked his every move no matter how hard I tried not to?
    Whatever the cause, my pride would not allow me to ask what I’d done wrong, and my pain would not allow me to acknowledge the loss. Alice was too preoccupied planning their future to notice. She kept reminding me how busy Jackson was, getting ready for college and the official start of his life-long internship in his family empire. She didn’t realize, as I did, that he wasn’t too busy for her—just me.
    I studied her as she primped and applied her make-up. Alice was absolute perfection. She didn’t need mascara or eye shadow to enhance her beauty. My heart constricted painfully as the diamond studs she placed in her ears caught the light. My hand clutched the locket hidden in my pocket.
    They were both presents from Jackson. I was surprised when he’d handed a small box to both Alice and me after our high school graduation ceremony. I remembered the prick of tears when I first traced the delicate platinum, heart-shaped charm. He had even taken the time to fill it with glorious childhood memories. On one side was a picture of the three of us with our arms wrapped around each other, and on the other, just Jackson and me with our heads close together as we smiled at each other. It was simple yet beautiful and exactly what I needed to calm my fears of losing them both.
    I’d wanted to launch myself at him and never let go. At least I did until I looked up. Jackson was already locked in Alice’s arms, returning her hug, and her diamond earrings twinkled in her hand wrapped around his neck. Our eyes met over Alice’s shoulder, and I was surprised to see the beautiful turquoise depths clouded over with the same sadness swirling inside me.
    He had chosen gifts that suited both of us. It was sweet and thoughtful, but I hadn’t been able to do more than murmur, “Thanks.” Why did Jack giving Alice diamonds caused my happiness to disintegrate? I looked up at Alice again, and our eyes clashed in the mirror.
    “Aren’t you going to get ready?” she asked, without turning around.
    I looked down at my button-up tank top, jean shorts, and flip flops, then back to Alice wearing a dark blue mini-skirt, short-sleeved cashmere sweater, and high heels. I was uncomfortably aware of what I looked like in comparison, but it only made me more determined not to change. Besides, it was summertime, it was hot, and I sure as hell wasn’t trying to impress anybody.
    “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.” At the lift of her meticulously sculpted brows, I said, “Take it or leave it. It’s not like I want to go anyway.”
    “You could at least wear the locket Jackson gave you.”
    “Oh, I forgot it,” I said, looking away from the mirror.
    Alice sighed and started to put on the final touch of lip gloss. “Fine, brat. I swear you can be so stubborn. I just need one last night with the three of us together. I don’t . . . things are changing, and I need you there. Is that too much to ask?”
    She sounded so sad. I felt bad for lying and giving her a hard time. I would do anything for her, and she knew it. I walked to her side, placed my arm across her shoulders, and leaned my head against hers. We stared at each other in the mirror again. I smiled and was happy to