Crimson Echo by Dusty Burns Read Free Book Online Page B

‘flake’ in my social circle. It’s not intentional— I just have a way of talking myself out of going to certain things when I know I won’t have a good time or when I know it sounds like trouble. Some people call it a moral compass, most people have it, but few people use it, especially in high school. My compass seemed to be spinning in all directions lately only stopping when Kane was around.
                The rest of the week went on in the same fashion. Kane avoided me like the plague. He practically ran in the opposite direction when he saw me coming. For some reason unbeknownst to me he was being elusive and cold. It irritated me.  I checked my breath, but I couldn’t figure out why he was ignoring me. Faith tried unsuccessfully to pull me out of my funk over and over.
                By Friday I had all but forgotten about Kane. He was no longer at the forefront of my mind. He was now a tiny reminder that I would never find a guy that could ever feel anything more than friendship for me. But no matter how insignificant and miniscule he was in my mind, he was still there— lurking in the corner, taunting me, picking at me like an open wound.
                The week was nearly over and I was relieved to be so close to the weekend break. Everyone had settled into the new routine and new school effortlessly. It was all old hat by now, but I wondered how long it would be before the damage was fixed at Echo High. The week seemed to have passed quickly now as I looked back over the last four days. The hope for snow was on everyone’s mind today. The local news reporter hinted at a slight chance of snowfall over all of Oregon.
               The thrill of fluffy white flurries sent the entire student body into a blissful uproar. I prayed for it to stay away. Lunch arrived and hopes began to dwindle as the sun peeked out from behind a mass of clouds. Nothing changed— we all sat in the same spot at the same table. I picked at my food, just as I’d done all week. I didn’t look for him now. I knew that ship had sailed and I wasn’t permitted to board.
                I walked the halls of Emporia only faintly aware of the people in front of me as I stared down at the book I held in my hands— a book that was on the suggested reading list for juniors. Arthur Miller wasn’t my favorite author, but I enjoyed his work nonetheless. I remembered frowning at the title when I spotted it on the list. I’m more of a sucker for a good romance, unrequited love and all that.
               Though I would never have thought it, I was sucked into the drama of this play. I looked up when the group of students in front of me stopped. They strayed near a row of lockers and obstructed my path. I quickly jostled around them and continued on my way. The room where study hall was held came into view sooner than I thought and I paused. Looking into the sparsely filled room I hesitated and then kept going.
                I shoved the worn book into my bag and carried on down the hallway— not sure where it would lead, I didn’t care as long as I didn’t ha ve to be stuck in that dark room anymore. The halls seemed never ending and looked more like picture from Home and Dungeon rather than a school. I passed several empty classrooms, peaking in each one out of sheer curiosity. This wasn’t something I would usually do. I like structure and balance in my life and never did anything on a whim. I decided it was a good time to break up the tedium.
                After wandering the halls for a good half hour I stumbled upon a set of double doors. The sign above the frame read Library number one. I assumed there must be another library in the east wing, but we weren’t allowed over in that part of the school. It was specifically reserved for Emporia students only.
               The large cedar doors creaked as I entered and the noise sent chills up my spine. The