Decay by J. F. Jenkins Read Free Book Online Page B

class for the day. Cadence had World Literature. She didn't know what Angela was going to, but it was only a few doors away. “Anyway, back on topic. Speaking of Valentine's Day, I need your advice about something.”
    â€œOkay,” Cadence said and decided against pointing out that the original topic they'd been talking about was JD. Valentine's Day was a much more pleasant thing to talk about in her eyes, even if there was still a lot of time to plan for it. JD and Angela were a lot more alike than they'd ever admit. They were both saps.
    â€œI'm trying to plan ahead with my budget and stuff. Do you think it would be weird for a girl to get the guy she has a crush on, a gift?” Angela asked with a curious glance.
    â€œDepends on the gift and the guy,” JD said, butting into the conversation. He stood next to Cadence and leaned on her shoulder but only for a moment.
    And for that moment she had hope that maybe he would finally show his claim on her. It didn't make much sense to her. In the past he was usually all over his girlfriends in the hallway. Besides, who's to say another guy wouldn't try making a move on her? She had her fair share of admirers on occasion. JD was good at keeping them away, but if he put too much distance between them, the guys who were interested might not keep their distance anymore. Granted, they only wanted her because of her model like looks. She was tall, curvy in all of the right places, and had a nice dark skinned complexion. Wouldn't JD feel threatened by other potential suitors anyway?
    Angela rolled her eyes. “Your opinion doesn't count because you're a mutant. Not a normal guy.”
    â€œI am not a mutant!”
    â€œYou cry during sappy chick flicks.”
    â€œWho doesn't cry during those movies?” he protested.
    She tapped her chest. “This girl.”
    JD raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure I'm the mutant? Maybe you're just heartless.”
    â€œCadence, help, please?” Angela fluttered her eyelashes a little. “You always seem to know what to do.”
    â€œA guy only wants one thing for Valentine's Day, sis, and it's not something you're allowed to give,” JD said, while he glared at his sister. “I'll see you both after school.”
    â€œYou say that like I'm some kind of a skank,” Angela said, perhaps a bit too loudly because a few students were looking at them. There was a genuine disappointment present in her gaze. Actually, Cadence was pretty positive the girl was about to cry. She took in a deep breath. “I got cheer practice bro, remember? So I'll catch you at home.” And then she shoved her brother away.
    Cadence glanced back at her boyfriend. He is my boyfriend right? He hasn't asked me out yet, but shouldn't I treat him like we're exclusive? Would he like that? Something about the way he'd just chastised his sister was troubling, like there was some kind of double standard present. He had his big brother duties, but his tone suggested if the girl didn't wait until she was married, then she was some kind of a hussy. What does he think of me if that's the case?
    â€œHey, are you listening?” Angela asked all of a sudden.
    â€œI'm thinking, sorry,” Cadence said. “I think in a way, JD does have a point. It depends on the guy. Most guys I know wouldn't want any big bells or whistles. I'd go with something small and heartfelt. Is your crush anyone I know?”
    Angela was known to have a thing for a new guy just about every other week. Her having a crush wasn't anything new. The way she tensed up when Cadence asked, however, was. Usually, she was a lot more vocal about which lucky guy caught her eye. Typical sixteen-year-old girl behavior it seemed. Unlike her brother, Angela, had yet to have a relationship. In fact, she griped a lot about still having never been kissed. To have her not give a giggling confession was different. Maybe her crush was more serious than