Surfacing (Spark Saga) by Melissa Dereberry Page A

right?”
                  I smile sheepishly.  “Yeah, but I figured I’d just throw something together.”
                  “You have random formalwear hanging around in your closet, do you?”
                  “No,” I chuckle.  “There’s still time to shop if I need to.”
                  “Well, it is just Alex…”
                  “What’s that supposed to mean?”
                  “I mean, he’s like the friend guy.  Not like he’s going to be critiquing your dress or anything.”
                  I felt a slight twinge of something like disappointment, but quickly sucked it up.  “Why would I want him to?”  Truthfully, it would be nice for any guy to say that I look nice.  It would be cool to just feel normal and pretty for one night, without everyone looking at me like I have the plague or something.
                  “He likes you,” Cricket announces.
                  “I know, but he really is just a friend.”
                  “He’s cute, though.  Don’t you think?”
                  “I guess.  I don’t really think of him that way, so it hasn’t crossed my mind.”
                  “Oh, come on!  A guy asks you to Homecoming and the thought—even for a split second—didn’t cross your mind to wonder if you two would look good together?  If he would show up all handsome and hand you a bunch of flowers?”
                  “Please.  I’m not into clichés.”
                  “Me either.  Trust me.”
                  “So do you have a date?”
                  “What do you think?”
                  “Hey, why don’t you go with Alex and me?  I’m sure he won’t mind, and since we’re just going as friends anyway…”
                  “I’m sure he would be thrilled to have me tag along,” Cricket mutters. 
                  “Seriously.  I’ll ask him.  It will be fun.”
    Cricket laughs nervously.  “Ok, so when are we going shopping?  I guess I’ll go too, and I know I don’t have any princess dresses hanging around in my closet.”
                  I laugh.  “You’re a riot.  How about Tuesday?”
                  “How about this afternoon, when we get done?  I’m not into waiting until the last minute, especially when it comes to dressing up for social events.”
                  “Ok, you win.  Today it is.  Now where is this mysterious cemetery?”
                 
                  When we pull into the lot, another car is sitting there.  “Do you think it’s ok?”  I ask. 
                  “Sure, why wouldn’t it be?”
                  I point to the car, feeling anxious.
                  “It’s a public place. Come on.”  So we get out of the car and Cricket loads the app on her phone.
                  Technically, she’s right.  But I still can’t shake the thought that something isn’t right.  This adventure has been fun, even though I was convinced it wouldn’t be, and yet, we are in the middle of a graveyard.  “Don’t you think this is all a little weird?”  I ask.  “I mean, who puts a geocache in a graveyard anyway?”
                  Cricket examines her phone and heads to the right.  “I dunno.  A poet?  Or a lunatic.”
                  “Great.  Seriously, though. What if it is some psycho?  Luring us here.  I’ve heard about things like this.  He could be watching us right now.”
                  “Oooh.  Spooky,” Cricket chimes in.  “Come this way.”
                  “Have you noticed those people over there?”  I whisper.
                  “O.M.G.”  She replies, glancing over.  “You