Annabeth Neverending by Leyla Kader Dahm Read Free Book Online Page A

embarrassed.
    “Uh, that’s all right. I’m sure you have a lot going on…,” I say quietly, searching for the words to hide my disappointment, even though I have every right to be upset.
    “Annabeth, do you really think I’d forget something like that? You silly, silly girl,” says Gabriel, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small giftwrapped box. “This is for you.”
    I clumsily tear open the glossy printed paper and remove the lid. Inside is a set of stainless - steel drawing pens.
    “Thank you! They’re amazing! How did you know that I love to draw?”
    “I had a feeling.”
    “Really?”
    “That. And Mrs. Lansing told me,” Gabriel confesses.
    “Maybe I can be your muse,” he says with a laugh, causing my breath to catch in my throat.

    We embark on our journey through the neighborhood. Glowing orange - and - black luminary bags line the sidewalk, and rubber skeletons swing in the wind, greeting the costumed guests. Though it’s chilly, I’m no longer in need of my Michelin Man coat because, thankfully, the side effects from my last vision have long since dissipated.
    We enter Kerry’s enviably large and elegant house, pushing through and brutally demolishing thinly stretched cotton cobwebs on our way inside. Kerry greets us, dressed like a medieval maiden with enhanced cleavage. She shows off her spiky stiletto heels, which are so high I’m amazed she doesn’t fall right over.
    Judging from her choice of costume, I’m sure she’s planning to hook up since she and Billy Jacoby, the biggest jerk at school, haven’t been an item for months. Which also means, thankfully, that he won’t be here.
    “Hey, wench. Where are your parents?”
    “I told them to make themselves scarce. Divorce guilt has its upside.”
    Kerry’s become a pro at covering up her feelings, but I can tell she’s devastated by her parents’ split. Even though the idea of two Christmases and endless leverage for emotional blackmail should help ease the pain a bit, I’m sure it’s not enough. And never will be.
    “Lucky!” I say, playing along.
    “What are you, anyway? Queen Tutankhamen?” she asks.
    “Uh…sure,” I reply, even though there never was such a person.
    “Kerry, this is Gabriel. Gabriel, this is Kerry.”
    “A pleasure,” says Gabriel.
    “Nicely done,” Kerry says to me under her breath.
    “Well, what I can say…that he’s in college?”
    Bernadette joins us. I introduce her to Gabriel, and when he turns his head, she gives me the “OK” signal, opening her eyes wide.
    “I’m a sexy mental patient. And this party is making me crazy!” Bernadette cries.
    Her long, dark brown hair has been heavily shellacked and sticks straight out every which way, like she just underwent shock therapy. She’s wearing an ultrashort miniskirt with a classic canvas straightjacket. At one point it must have seemed like a clever excuse, but nowadays Halloween brings out the slut in every girl. Except for me. My neckline leaves a lot to the imagination.
    Hector, Bernadette’s dreamy Latino boyfriend, arrives. He’s tall, he’s dark, he’s handsome. He’s everything a girl would want in a boyfriend. And everything her conservative Asian parents wouldn’t. Even some of our classmates object to her choice of a beau: simply because he’s on Falmouth High wrestling. Which means that he’s an athletic rival and she’s a traitor. It’s like they’re Romeo and Juliet. Though hopefully this story will have a happier ending.
    Hector walks over to Bernadette and wraps himself around her. He’s wearing a Falmouth Yachtsman wrestling sweatshirt and sweatpants.
    “It’s bad enough you’re our biggest competition, but do you have to advertise it? Besides, you’re supposed to wear a costume.”
    He motions to his top.
    “I am. This is a JV shirt. And I’m on varsity.”
    Bernadette rolls her eyes. Both of Bernadette’s parents are fertility doctors (they’re responsible for Howie), and they were hoping