Amber Frost by Suzi Davis Read Free Book Online

gently reaching out over the empty seat between us and lifting my chin to raise my eyes to his. His fingers felt soft and smooth, and very warm.
    “Don’t be so afraid of the truth,” he encouraged. His eyes were a dark black-blue now, twinkling mysteriously. “And just so you know – I like weird,” he added with a playful grin, pulling his hand back to his desk before I had time to lean away.
    “I’m not surprised,” I quickly answered, regaining some of my usual composure. I found myself smiling back at him though, grateful for his lack of judgment. It was the first time in so long I’d been honest with anyone, even myself. It was surprisingly empowering.
    “I wanted to know you too,” he confessed, unashamed. “You intrigue me, Gracelynn. You’re not like the other people at this school; you’re different, almost like me.”
    “No, I’m not,” I quickly objected, feeling slightly defensive. “I’m exactly like everyone else at Craigflower; I belong here.”
    He looked honestly confused by my pronouncement, his smooth brow creasing into a frown. “Do you really believe that?”
    “Of course I do,” I answered haughtily. I turned away from him, beginning to think perhaps I’d made a mistake by being so friendly with him. I picked up a pencil, deciding to ignore him and get some work done. As soon as I touched the pencil’s tip to the paper though, the lead snapped off making me sigh in frustration.
    “Will you answer one question for me?” Sebastian asked. His voice was so melodic, so inviting, it was almost impossible to ignore. I tried my best anyway.
    “One question,” I agreed without looking up. I refused to give him my full attention. I reached for another pencil but the lead snapped the moment I applied the slightest pressure to it. I pursed my lips in irritation; this was a very expensive set of drawing pencils – why were they all breaking?
    “Are you happy?”
    I froze as I reached for yet another pencil. I hadn’t expected him to ask me that.
    “Of course I am,” I said brusquely without meeting his eye. “I’m popular, wealthy, my family has a huge new house, I’m smart and pretty, and I’m dating the most popular boy in school,” I listed.
    Sebastian snorted. “Clarke Simons? I don’t think so Gracelynn. There aren’t many people at this school who really like Clarke – a lot pretend to but few actually do. As for popularity… if you’re so popular, who are all your friends? I know you’re not stupid enough to believe that those girls you associate yourself with really like you. They may admire you to some extent, they’re certainly jealous of you – but do they like you? Do they even really know you?” he asked gently. There was no accusation in his tone, only honest curiosity. Still, I was offended. I wasn’t surprised when the lead of the newest pencil I’d picked up snapped as I dug it into my paper.
    “And who are you , Sebastian Caldwood? Where are all your friends? What makes you so great?” I demanded angrily, callously. It was unlike me to speak so rudely, so passionately and impulsively but I couldn’t help myself – he’d struck a nerve. I also didn’t feel the need to smother my true emotions with him; I wasn’t afraid to displease him, after all – who was he? To my surprise though, he grinned, his dimple popping again in his cheek.
    “Who the hell am I? Who cares what I think?” he agreed with my thoughts, chuckling delightedly. It was a reminder of how strange he could be. “I’m a nobody, Gracelynn. I’m still trying to remember who I am, too,” he added, speaking slightly more seriously now. “And it’s true, I have no friends. I think it’s by choice… at least I tell myself that. What do you tell yourself?” He grinned at me as if inviting me to join in on a private joke. I couldn’t help but return his smile, the indignation rapidly melting. It was hard to be angry with Sebastian; he might be strange but he was also very