Games of Fire by Airicka Phoenix

bed.
    “Where did you get that?”
    Lauren turned off the recorder and grinned smugly. “After we texted last night, I snuck into Freddy’s room and recorded him sleeping. He may be my brother, but I swear he’s part pig or something.”
    Sophie stared at her friend, awed. “You’re a genius.”
    “I know.”
    “But this won’t help me get out of here tonight.”
    Lauren flicked her hand as if swatting away a pesky fly. “I’ve got that covered, too. Just go get ready!”
    Stomach in queasy knots of anticipation and dread, Sophie ran to where she’d thrown her shopping bags the night before and hurriedly removed the items inside. She stripped and pulled on the dress. The ensemble had only one sleeve and stopped several inches short of her knees. A thin, gold belt clipped around her waist, the only splash of color against the solid black. It was body hugging, and very sexy in a classy way.
    “Okay, sit and let me do your hair.” Lauren was already guiding and shoving her onto her vanity seat before she had the chance to admire the way the skirt flared around her thighs, flirty and fun , when she moved.
    Carefully and with expert hands, the hairs at her temples were swept away from her face and clipped at the back of her head. The rest was twisted and curled until it fell in ringlets down her back and around her shoulders. Lauren turned her around and, with the same deft fingers, applied color to her face. When Sophie glanced in the mirror again, the girl staring back was a stranger.
    Her eyes were bigger, bolder and smoky the way she always loved to see on TV. Her lashes were thick fans of black that seemed to go on forever, and despite the misty allure of her eyes, her lips were a simple glittery gloss that plumped. Her freckles were gone and her skin looked flawless , with a soft kiss of roses to her cheeks.
    “You’re amazing!” she said, touching a strand of hair resting delicately on her shoulder.
    “I am a woman of many talents,” Lauren said dramatically. “Now don’t touch anything until I’m ready. I don’t want to have to start over.”
    She had nothing to worry about, Sophie thought. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from her own reflection even if she wanted to. She was only vaguely aware of Lauren scurrying around her room, gathering things. After several minutes of hearing her friend muttering absently to herself, Sophie turned to watch.
    Lauren stood in the center of the room, tapping her chin and staring around as if making sure everything was in position. Sophie had no idea how much planning had gone into helping her break out, but it seemed very elaborate.
    “I think I’ve got everything,” Lauren said more to herself than to Sophie. She turned to Sophie. “I’m going to go down and tell your mom you’re still studying. I’m going to lure her into the kitchen. You are going to sneak down and out the front door!”
    “But how will I get back in later?”
    Lauren stared at her. “Don’t you have a key?”
    “Yes … Okay, sorry. Go on.”
    Shaking her head, Lauren continued. “You get in the car and wait for me!”
    “What if it doesn’t work?” Panic edged into her voice.
    “I didn’t do all this planning to fail! So pull yourself together and let’s go! We still have to set the other plan into motion.”
    “There’s another plan?” Sophie exclaimed, her voice high pitched and shrill. “Just how many plans are there?”
    Lauren rolled her eyes upwards and began ticking off on her fingers. “Break you out of the house. Go to Jessie’s, pick her up. Go to my house, pretend like I’m getting ready to go to Jessie’s and then getting to the party. All without getting caught.”
    It really was all very elaborate. 
    Grinning at her, Lauren snatched up her now empty backpack, swung it onto her back and headed for the door. She paused with her hand on the knob and glanced back.
    “Ready?”
    No! Sophie swallowed hard. “Yup.”
    Then Lauren was gone and Sophie was