Between (The Chronicles of Between, #1)

by L.L. Starling

Lyla’s eyes narrowed. “I know that you’re trying to stall for time by taking the longest sip of soda ever consumed by a human—” Sasha defiantly kept sipping. “—but it may help if you say it aloud. Go on. Say it. Say—” Polka Fever triumphantly played their final note. “—the Headmistress of Old Middleton Elementary is a drink-spiking psychopath,” Lyla yelled into the sudden silence. Sasha spat her soda across the table. For one excruciating moment, everyone around them appeared frozen in time, Lyla’s words echoing boldly across the restaurant. Then, everyone moved at once. The band members lowered their instruments and stared at Lyla in disbelief; the diners turned toward the two women, their forks suspended halfway to their mouths; and Luigi himself stood up from his chair behind the cash register to get a better look at Lyla, the ends of his bushy mustache twitching incredulously. Even the saucy Italian starlet appeared to be staring at Lyla, her pout now more shocked than sultry. “…is the name of my death metal band,” Lyla improvised gamely. An awkward silence ensued. The leader of Polka Fever cleared his throat. “A shout out to a fellow band, The Headmistress of Old Middleton Elementary is a Drink-Spiking Psychopath. Can’t wait to hear your work.” He nodded politely to Lyla. Sasha covered her face with her hands. “Our next song is called ‘Goat Whisperer.’ ”