After by Kristin Harmel Read Free Book Online Page B

after school.”
    Logan and Sydney stared at me like I’d suggested that we eat worms. “Why would we do that?” Logan asked.
    “To show her that she’s not alone.”
    Logan rolled his eyes, and exchanged looks with Sydney. “Lacey,” he said slowly, like he was talking to a child, “just because our dad died doesn’t mean you have to fix everyone else who loses a parent.”
    I stared back. “I’m not doing that. Maybe I just want to help. What’s wrong with that?”
    Logan shook his head. I was surprised to see anger in his eyes. “You know, Lacey, maybe for once you could just let things go, you know? Can’t you just grow up and move on?”
    “What are you talking about?” I demanded, suddenly aware that my voice had risen an octave.
    “You know exactly what I’m talking about.”
    I stood up abruptly. “You know, Logan, I’m just asking for a little help,” I said. “But if you can’t do that, forget I ever said anything.”
    •  •  •

    I was still simmering when Jennica met me at my locker after school. “We still on for studying today?” she asked.
    “Of course,” I said. “Why wouldn’t we be?”
    She cleared her throat. “I don’t know. I heard about Kelsi. I thought maybe you had to go talk to her or something. Is that why Mr. Miller called you in this morning?”
    I averted my eyes.
    “How come you couldn’t tell me that when I asked you?” she said. There was accusation in her voice.
    “I don’t know,” I said. “I guess I didn’t feel like it was my business to talk about it.”
    “But I’m your best friend.” She paused. “Is it because you think I wouldn’t understand?”
    “No,” I said too quickly. “Of course not.”
    “You know, Lacey, having someone die isn’t the only way to lose a parent.”
    I just looked at her. Not again , said the voice in my head.
    “It was hard for me when my parents got divorced,” she went on. “But you act like it’s no big deal, just because my dad is still alive.”
    I bit my tongue. Hard. I didn’t want to get into this with her. I knew it bothered Jennica that I didn’t ask her about her parents’ divorce very often. And it wasn’t that I didn’t care. It was just that I couldn’t compare a divorce to a death. She could tell her dad she loved him any time she decided to. My chances, on the other hand, were all gone. Forever.
    “I’m sorry,” I said finally.
    Jennica sighed. “I know.”
    I was just about to say something else when I saw Sam approaching. I began shoving books from my locker into my bag. Jennica furrowed her brow. “What’s wrong with you?”
    “Nothing,” I said, just as Sam walked up. Jennica looked at him, then at me, and stepped back.
    “Hey,” he said. He smiled at me. “So, are you two still studying this afternoon?”
    I shrugged.
    “Can I still study with you?” Sam tried again.
    I took a deep breath. I didn’t want to care. But I did. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
    “I don’t even know what I said to make you upset,” Sam said. He was standing so close that I could feel his breath on my hair. It gave me goose bumps. “Look, can I talk to you for a minute? There’s something I really need to tell you.”
    I looked away. “Maybe later,” I said, trying to sound casual. “Jennica and I are in a rush now. We’ve got to catch a ride with my brother and his girlfriend before they leave without us.”
    I slammed my locker door shut, grabbed Jennica’s arm, and walked away before Sam could say anything else.
    •  •  •

    Jennica waited to bring Sam up until we were sitting at my kitchen table forty-five minutes later with two Diet Cokes, a bag of microwave popcorn, some Twizzlers Jennica had brought, and our trig books open in front of us.
    “So, are you going to explain what that was all about?” she asked.
    I fiddled with the edge of the popcorn bag and then popped a few pieces in my mouth. “It’s nothing.”
    Jennica chomped on a piece of