Beginnings by J.M. Sevilla Read Free Book Online Page A

eye on Jeremy. His over-protectiveness was starting to get on my nerves.
    When I returned, Jeremy was scrolling through my play lists.
    “You have a lot of music on here.”
    I handed him a soda, “Yeah, I spend a lot of time listening to music.” I sat back down in Adam's chair.
    “You listen to The Smiths?” He sounded surprised.
    “They're one of my favorites.”
    He grinned, “Mine too. Most girls have never heard of them.”
    “Well, I'm not most girls.”
    “No, you certainly are not.” The way he looked at me when he said that made me blush.
    “Dave Matthews Band, huh?” He said with amusement.
    “They're okay. Not really my thing.”
    “Why are they on here then?”
    “Yeah Annie, why are they on there?” Adam had moved over to my desk and was sitting on the edge, arms still crossed, pouting.
    I shot him a dirty look.
    “I used to have a friend that liked them.”
    “Used to?”
    “Yeah. He got to be too annoying.”
    Jeremy laughed, “I'll have to remember that. So this friend, was he a boyfriend?”
    “He wishes,” I replied, to irritate Adam.
    “I bet he does, poor guy. I’m sure he's not the first heart you've broken.”
    It was my turn to laugh, “Not exactly.”
    “Oh, come on. You're beautiful.” His face had gotten serious and he sat up, “You have a hard time letting people in.” His statement made me feel uncomfortable. This conversation was getting too serious for me.
    “So, you must listen to Morrissey, right?” I asked, redirecting the conversation.
    “You're kidding me? I worship the guy. There's not a day that goes by that I don't listen to him.”
    We spent the next hour arguing over what his best songs were. Eventually it was time for Jeremy to go home, so I walked him to his car.
    “We didn't get a lot of work done but I had fun,” he grinned and I couldn’t help but smile back, “You're a very interesting girl.” I wasn't sure what to make of his comment. He brushed a hair from my face and held it there for a moment looking like he wanted to say more.
    “Well, I guess I'll see you at school tomorrow,” he turned to open his car door but stopped. He faced me again, “I really like you Anna. You're the first girl I've met who’s real. One I can actually have a conversation with. I'd really like to ask you out, but I can't tell where I stand with you.”
    A part of me wanted to say yes, but I knew it wouldn't be fair to lead Jeremy on when my heart already belonged to someone else.
    I stepped back from him, “I'm really sorry, I like you and hope we can hang out more but-” he stopped me.
    “I figured you would say that, but I would have kicked myself tonight if I didn’t ask.” He leaned over and kissed my forehead, “I'll see you at school.” He hopped in his car and drove off.
    I started back inside when I noticed Adam watching from my bedroom window. My stomach dropped, I couldn't imagine what that whole scene must have looked like to him.
    When I got back inside, Haley was standing in the kitchen entryway with her mouth dropped open, “Was that the new kid who just left our house?”
    “Yes.”
    “Did I see him kiss you?”
    “Well, not exactly.”
    “Nobody's going to believe this! My bookworm cousin just landed the hottest guy in school! Who would have thought!”
    She darted upstairs before I could set her straight. I had a sinking feeling it was to call her friends with what she had just witnessed.
    I knew I needed to go up and face Adam but I was too nervous. I didn't know what kind of mood he would be in. He'd been acting so weird lately, I wasn't sure what to expect from him anymore.
    I found him sitting in his chair, elbows resting on his knees, hands clasped together, with a vacant look in his eyes.
    The music Jeremy and I had had on was still playing. I walked over to it and put on one of our favorite playlists. I stood there waiting for him to say something.
    He looked at me, “Do you like him?” His voice was dry and empty.
    “A