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.