(Kira's POV)
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The fierce sunlight of Lakeview Estate beat down on my shoulders like a hammer. It was so bad that I could feel it through the material of my dress. The air shimmered with heat, thick and smothering, rising off the pavement in ghostly waves. I could almost see the steam rising off the ground as the heat from the sun burned off whatever moisture was on the ground.
I stood frozen in front of Maddie's door, clutching the plastic bags from Rotary Supermarket like they were some kind of flimsy shield. Yet, I knew very well that they would do ridiculously little to protect me from what was to come. I didn't need a shield to protect me. All I needed was fast talking and my smarts. Yet, I remained mute and stared at Maddie like a fool.
Maddie.
