Bloom by A.P. Kensey Read Free Book Online

speaking just loud enough to be heard. “I thought we were going to have fun?”
    Haven crossed her arms. “You remember the car crash two months ago?”
    Kayla sighed and her shoulders drooped. “Yeah,” she said.
    “Haley Jones and the other kids? All five of them died because they were drunk.”
    “Yeah, I know. You’re right.” She sighed again. “Alright, fine.” Kayla put down the cup and looked at Jason. “No thanks,” she said over the music. “We’re good without it.”
    Jason shrugged. “Okay.” He put one arm around her shoulder and steered her away from the table.
    “Hey!” said Haven.
    Jason turned back, looking surprised. “Haven! How rude of me. Please, make a drink and mingle. There’s a ton of guys here, so don’t be shy.” He took a sip from his cup.
    “He’s drunk,” said Kayla. She pushed his arm off her shoulder and stood next to Haven.
    “So what?” said Jason. “It’s my party.”
    The people around them fell silent but music continued to thump loudly from the den. Colored lights swooped over the still crowd.
    “I thought you asked me to come here,” said Haven. “ Me. ”
    “Psssh, what?” said Jason. “You drew my name on the wall so I knew you and your friend would show up if I asked you.” He burped and pointed at Kayla. “But she’s really hot .”
    Haven opened her mouth to say something but the words caught in her throat. Everyone was staring at her. Blood rushed to her cheeks as she reached out and slapped Jason’s face.
    “Whoa!” he said. He blinked and shook his head, then he laughed. “She’s feisty!”
    Everyone standing near the table laughed and suddenly the party was back on.
    Haven knew she would cry if she stayed in that room a moment longer, but her feet felt like they were frozen to the ground.
    Jason shrugged and finished the rest of his drink while Kayla put her arm around Haven’s shoulders and turned her toward the front door. She looked back and made a face at all the people staring at Haven. “Yeah, real great party!” she shouted sarcastically, giving the crowd a crooked thumbs-up as she and Haven walked out of the house.
    “Thank you,” said Haven softly as Kayla opened the passenger door to the car and guided her into the seat. She sat unmoving, staring straight ahead.
    Kayla walked around the car and got into the driver’s seat. The engine squealed to life and she pulled out onto the street. “Forget him,” she said. “You can do way better.”
    “Yeah, right!” said Haven. She sniffed and looked out the window. “Why did he have to do it like that? He should have just asked you during lunch, and I could have tagged along like the pathetic loser I am.”
    “Don’t say that. He’s the loser, Haven. Not you.”
    “Yeah, but I’m still single.”
    “Not for long,” said Kayla. “Do you know how many sympathy dates you’re gonna get after what happened back there?”
    Haven smiled and punched her in the leg.
    “I’m serious! The boys will be lining up around the block to try and make you feel better. You’re beautiful, even if you don’t think you are. Maybe just put on a little lipstick every once in a while, you know? I’m kidding .”
    Haven sighed. “We’ll see.”
    It was just past ten o’clock and the streets were mostly empty. Kayla turned onto the road which led to Haven’s house and leaned forward over the steering wheel.
    “What’s that?” she said, pointing toward the horizon.
    A red glow lit the night sky a mile away. As they drove closer, the glow intensified and flickered like a giant, red candle.
    “It looks like a fire,” said Kayla.
    “Drive faster,” said Haven.
    Kayla sped up and drove down the middle of the street. A black car with tinted windows and no headlights appeared under a streetlight, moving toward them fast. Kayla screamed and jerked the steering wheel to the side. The black car zoomed past, barely missing them.
    “Did you see that?!” she said, breathing hard. “That