Missing Rose (9781101603864) Read Online Free Page A

haven’t answered Andrea’s question. What’s the plan for tonight?”
    â€œI don’t think I’m going to do anything.”
    â€œWhat?!”
    â€œI never like to disappoint you, you know that, but I went to bed really late last night and my head’s splitting, so—”
    â€œBut today’s your
birthday
, Di!”
    â€œI really don’t feel like—”
    â€œWhat’s got into you, Diana?” Isabel said, looking at her sternly. “You used to be the one who brought everyone together, but now we hardly ever see you. We know you’re going through a tough time, we all understand that. But do you think shutting yourself up in the house will help you get over it? Do you think that’s what your mother would have wanted? Pull yourself together. You’re a strong girl.”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œNo, what?”
    â€œI’m weak.”
    â€œNo, you’re not. You can’t be. You have a long way to go, goals to achieve, dreams . . . But if you keep behaving like this, you’ll never—”
    â€œWhat dreams?”
    â€œWell, didn’t you dream of becoming a successful lawyer?”
    Heaving a sigh, Diana first looked at Isabel and then Andrea. They really had no idea, did they?
    â€œI never dreamed of becoming a lawyer, Isabel.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œI only ever dreamed of being a writer.”
    â€œOh, right,
that
dream!” Isabel said.
    â€œOh, come on, Di,” Andrea said. “We’re not kids anymore. When I was little, I wanted to be a singer. But when I grew up, guess what, I realized I have the voice of a crow!”
    Neither the friendly expression on Andrea’s face nor her attempt to laugh at herself was enough to mask what she was really trying to say.
    â€œDon’t worry, Andrea,” Diana said. “I already know that I write like a crow.”
    â€œI didn’t mean it like that, Di, I just—”
    â€œWell, girls, now isn’t the time to argue,” Isabel said. “What about tonight?”
    Neither Diana nor Andrea replied.
    â€œDi, we should really get going now,” Isabel continued. “We have to go try on our graduation outfits. But we’ll call by this evening to pick you up, let’s say at around 8 p.m. Try to be dressed and ready so we’re all on time. And then we’ll take you to Olympia—or what about Da Mario? And if you like, to Pulana, okay? A few calls and the old gang will get together. How’s that for a plan?”
    â€œI’m in!” cried Andrea.
    â€œWell,” Diana said, “thanks a lot, both of you, for coming. But today, I really do want to be alone.”

6
    W HEN I SABEL AND A NDREA had gone, Diana stayed on the terrace for a while longer, thinking how little they knew her. For years they’d been friends; they’d laughed and had fun together, sharing so many good times . . . So how was it that these two girls didn’t truly know her or understand her dreams? But then, what did it matter if no one understood a dream she’d decided to let go of?
    She thought of the question her mother had asked in her letter. “What is it really, darling, that’s preventing you from pursuing your greatest dream?”
    Diana knew that if she had a thousand lives to live, in every single one of them she’d still want to be a writer. The only reason she’d chosen law was because of the dreaded scenario she envisaged for herself if she were to become just a mediocre writer . . .
    To begin with, those around her would think she’d wasted her qualifications. In spite of this, however, they’d politely conceal their real opinions and tell her what an interesting and exciting profession she’d chosen. But there would always be a hidden disapproval and disdain behind their words and soon she would become the subject of gossip. People would whisper the