Starcrossed (Starcrossed 1)

quick,? she finished with a knowing smile.

Helen looked down at her grass-stained feet. She tried to run a

hand through her hair, and squeaked with pain when all the short

hairs on the back of her neck got yanked out. Ariadne laughed.

?You look like you?ve been dragged through a bush backward. But

I can fix that.? Ariadne stood up, pried Helen?s hand away from

Lucas?s, and dragged her out of the kitchen.

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Helen couldn?t believe how many knots were in her hair, but

eventually Ariadne managed to tease them out with some anti-frizz

lotion and a straight comb. Then Helen washed her feet, tied her

hair back in a ponytail, and threw on some flip-flops that Ariadne

loaned her so fast she was halfway down the steps before she realized

that they were too big on her and she could break her neck.

?What the hell are you wearing?? Jerry said as soon as he saw

her. Helen burst out laughing, partly because her dad had said exactly

what she was thinking, but mostly because of the dumb-ass

look on his face.

?It?s a loaner. My track uniform was all sweaty. Hey, they?re huge,

but at least they?re clean,? Helen said, gesturing down to the

gigantic T-shirt and the rolled-up sweatpants.

?Oh. Well, you look . . . comfortable?? he said suspiciously.

?Next time I?ll wear a ball gown,? Helen promised. Still laughing

with her dad, she turned and noticed that half the Delos family was

watching them, apparently amused.

?I see what you mean,? Castor said to Lucas, and the two of them

shared a look that Helen didn?t understand before he turned to

Jerry and smiled warmly.

?It?s nice to see you again, Jerry,? Castor said, coming forward

with his hand extended for Jerry to shake.