Second Thoughts Read Online Free PDF

tonight she looked…grown up. Her skirt and jacket were a deep red, a beautiful, mature color, not garish or too sexy, and fit her to perfection. She’d smoothed her curls into a low pony-tail and dabbed a muted red lipstick on her full lips. I could have confused her for an executive—or an art dealer—if I hadn’t known her so well.
    But of course, Amy was still Amy. She giggled as she slipped her arm through mine and dragged me out the door. “C’mon Heartbreaker. Let’s go, so you can teach me about art and we can try to sneak some champagne before everyone gets there.”
    W E PICKED OUR way across campus in the cool early evening. It was usually the quietest time to be found on a Friday, but tonight there was an energy hovering over the grounds, as parents and alumni arrived, and people bustled about preparing for the night’s events. The air was crisp but not cold and the sky was a rainbow of sunset colors over the still green, rolling lawns of the Academy.
    My early nervousness began to change into a more familiar, and enjoyable, feeling. Though I’d been to my aunt’s unveilings many times before, I’d never once failed to be proud of or excited for her. As we approached the Auditorium, I let the anticipation settle in on me like an old, welcome friend.
    People were already gathering outside, where there was a small group of performers from the student orchestra to entertain them and several waiters mingled amongst the crowd with cocktails and light hors d’oeuvres. The front doors were locked and darkened, adding to the atmosphere of drama and suspense. I smiled to myself as we slipped around the side of the building to the rear door. My aunt was a real pro at this kind of thing. She’d promised me a private showing before the doors opened and she became the center of attention.
    â€œAuntie?” I called as I pushed open the back door. It creaked as it swung and opened into a dim, deserted hallway. Honestly, it would have been a little creepy if not for the five huge trays of full champagne flutes sparkling in a row against the wall. Score. I looked sideways at Amy, who winked at me, and we swiped a glass each before making our way through the stage doors at the end of the hall.
    We stepped through from backstage into the auditorium itself but it, too, appeared empty, the lights glowing just enough for us to see our way down the aisles. We were headed toward the lobby proper to search for my aunt when her voice called to me from seemingly everywhere at once.
    â€œElaine Rachel Young! Don’t go any further!” I jumped at the booming sound and spun in a circle, searching for her. “Up here, silly!” Aunt Tessa’s voice echoed again, followed by a ghostly laugh. Amy laughed too and pointed up. There, at the back of the balcony, was my beautiful, bohemian aunt waving at us from behind the previously darkened windows of the lighting control room.
    I warmed just at the sight of her. Tonight her small, curvy frame was showcased by the swirling print of her skirt, a simple black strapless top, and layers of entirely different but somehow perfectly coordinated necklaces that glimmered in the dim lighting. Her dark, wavy hair fell over one shoulder as she swept down the stairs to where we were standing.
    â€œYou look so beautiful!” I gushed, taking a moment to admire her before hugging her tightly. “And I can’t wait to finally see what you’ve done for the Academy.”
    â€œThank you, sweetie,” she said before releasing me to hug my roommate too. “Good to see you Amy. Let me show you before the rest of the guests get tired of waiting.” She eyed our glasses of champagne, warning, “And you finish those before the reception starts,” before leading us out of the auditorium.
    We followed her through the doors and into the dark hallway that led to the lobby. In fact, when the door swung shut behind