The Price of a Gift (The Price of Secrets Series) by Ashley Drake Page A

waited until Kayla was on the phone and said. "How much money can you spare from your clothes fund? Because there is no way one of my best friends is walking out of here, on our tradition day, empty handed."
    I don't know if I was picking up on her thoughts, or if they were my own, but I was getting ready to say the same thing.
    I spoke up. "I have eighty dollars in cash." Between coffee, a pair of earrings and lunch, I had already gone through twenty of my money.
    Phoebe checked her purse, "I can do fifty."
    "I can do a hundred. But it has to be at these two stores." Jaycee held up two department store credit cards.
    Kayla walked back over to us. "Well, Mom wasn't as mad as I thought she would be. She figured I would tell the three of you sooner or later. Hannah, she is calling your mom right now. She told me to tell you thanks."
    Phoebe didn't waste any time. She put her arm through Kayla's and announced. "We are taking you shopping for school clothes, our treat. Don't even try to argue cause it won't work."
    Jaycee joined in saying, "It's three against one and you're just a skinny little thing."
    "You wouldn't stand a chance." I added.
    Kayla was able to buy four new outfits, two pairs of shoes and a blue and white striped bikini. She was so grateful and happy, she made us all cry again. It felt really good being able to help out one of my best friends, but I wasn't done yet. I’m gonna help her get Jacob. So at least she can have a happy ending for one part of her life.
    Chapter 7
    Dear Diary, It's the first day of school!!! And I'm completely ready and don't even have to leave for another thirty minutes. That will probably be the last time I write that sentence for the rest of the year. lol After trying on three outfits, I decided on a cropped light jean vest, with a simple white tank top, and a ruffle skirt that has little pink flowers on it with a brown background. And yes, the skirt is fingertip. It was so embarrassing being sent home last year cause my skirt was just a hair too short. I picked out my favorite brown sandals, hoop earrings, and a long necklace. I’m going for looking hot, without looking like I’m trying to look hot. It's a very complicated process, but I think I did pretty good. I kept my hair down and kinda flipped to the side. I am, however, bringing a pony tail holder just in case my hair starts to frizz. I have a good feeling about this year. I hope I'm right. Jaycee is going with me after school to the public library. I'm gonna try to do some research on Samantha. I haven't seen her in a while and it's starting to bother me. I've tried to contact her the last three nights, with no success. I'm getting kinda scared that she might be gone for good. But for now, I'm gonna go put on a second coat of pink on my fingers and toes, then off to school. Cross your fingers!
    Well good ole South Caldwell High School hasn't changed since last year and, for the most part, neither had the students. There were a few exceptions, some had new hair styles, some had gotten taller, and some had developed IF you know what I mean. But not me, no, I get to have the same B-cup as last year. I don't think I'm ever gonna have cleavage without the help of Victoria Secrets. I got my schedule, and went to find Jaycee. It took me awhile to make it to the lockers because I kept stopping to catch up with classmates I hadn't seen over the summer. When I finally made it to the sophomore hall I saw Jaycee, Pheobe and Kayla was already there comparing schedules.
    "Well it's about time. Love the outfit. Whatcha think about mine?" Jaycee asked as she did a little twirl. She was wearing a pair of black sandals with a small heel, white shorts and a black, shiny, one shoulder top. Of course she had black and white bracelets, earrings and a ring on to match.
    "You look awesome, but how are you gonna get away with a bare shoulder?"
    "Easy, I just do this." She pulled her hair around to her bare shoulder side, covering it up.
    "You're