The Diary of Lexi Ashford (Lexi Ashford: Part One) Read Online Free PDF

back, I’ll personally drive out there and save you from the glitter snorting rainbow cult.”
    “Promise?”
    “Of course. And besides, we have to get together soon so we can start planning my wedding. As my Maid of Honor, I demand you be present.”
    “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” I grab my purse and suitcase from off the couch, give it another pat good-bye, and then head for the door. “Good-bye, all,” I whisper as I close the door.
    “Ready?” Sophie asks me as I join her in the hallway.
    I shrug, sliding the bag over my shoulder. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
    As we’re passing by Miss Finikey’s place, the door to her apartment opens.
    “Finally giving up, huh?” Her tone is mocking and her grin is snide, but at least she’s got clothes on. “About damn time.”
    “Oh, come on, Miss F., you know you’re going to miss your favorite neighbor.” I shoot her a smirk.
    She rolls her eyes, but I swear I detect the faintest bit of sadness in her eyes. “As soon as you leave, I’m pulling out my party hat and kazoo.”
    “Well, I’m going to miss you,” I tell her. “You were, like, the only person in this apartment who ever talked to me except for Mr. Maybether, but he just made crude remarks about my ass being as jiggley as Jell-O and to put a little bit more wiggle in it.”
    When she says nothing, I sigh and turn to leave.
    “Oh, my hell, wait a damn minute,” she says then ducks back into her apartment. When she returns, she’s carrying a record player and a small stack of records. She nearly drops both into my arms and steps back, dusting off her hands. “You were eyeballing it once when you stopped by. I was going to give them to you for Christmas. Figured I’d give them to you before you ended up stealing them. But since you won’t be here for Christmas, there you go.”
    A few tears pool in my eyes. “Thanks, Miss F. This means a lot.”
    She brushes me off. “Take care of yourself, Lexi,” she says then steps into her apartment and slams the door.
    “Wow, she’s quite the character, isn’t she?” Sophie states as we make our way to the exit doors.
    “Yeah, but in a good way.” A faint, sad smile touches my lips as we push through the doors and step outside. “I’m really going to miss her.”
    Sophie looks at me like I’ve lost my damn mind, but I simply shrug. While Miss F. was mean as hell most of the time, deep down, she was a nice person and helped me out a lot.
    After we cram the rest of my stuff into the back of the car, I give Flynn and Sophie a hug and climb into the car. As I’m pulling out onto the road, I roll down my window and stick my hand out to wave at her, pretending I’m a wannabe actress driving away to Hollywood.
    “I’ll call you when I’m famous,” I shout out the window, “unless I forget all about you.”
    Sophie just shakes her head. “Drive safely!” she shouts. “And keep two hands on the wheel!”
    I roll up the window and do what she says. Then I steer the car toward the freeway, watching the city—my dream life—slip away from me.
     

Chapter 5
     
    Four hours later, I’m parked on the side of the road, staring at a “Come Join Us On Saturday for Our Famous 80s-Themed Custard Pie Making Contest” banner on the side of the road. In fine print at the bottom, it reads, “Don’t miss the party of the year! With live entertainment by Fairville’s very own the Skip and Flips.” And at the very, very bottom of the banner is a series of drawings: a smiley face, a slice of pie, a dog, a party hat, a polka-dot dress, and what looks like a large, hairy man eating a fork and giving a thumbs up.
    I grip the steering wheel, trying to mentally talk my foot into pushing the gas pedal so I can get this over with. A half a mile and I’ll officially be back in my hometown. Only a half a mile and I’ll be back to the place where every memory—good and bad—ever happened … and where every single person remembers each one.
    Five