Chapter 9 The Ugly Party

• THOMASINA
• The sky was too perfect, just perfect for a birthday. Everything was too ideal like a dream that is about to become a nightmare without realizing it. Balloons fluttered in the wind, kids chuckled near the carousel that had been brought in for the day. From each tree in the garden, streamers fluttered. It made me remember my own birthdays when I was little. I looked around and couldn't see Juan Miguel. I knew he won't even attend
• Lucia had a crown of pink flowers and frosting on her nose. I stayed close, always close. Every movement, every shadow, every corner was scrutinized by my eyes. There was a bad feeling about this, not that it was obvious but I felt it even though I tried to push it off.