Destiny Date by Melody James Read Free Book Online

His head is resting
on his backpack and he’s reading a Penguin Modern Classic through shades.
    I wonder if he’s read his horoscope yet.
    As Ryan and Sally disappear into school, I spot Cindy and Barbara coming out. They head for the field and make straight for Will. I shield my eyes, squinting to see better as they reach Will.
I’m too far away to hear anything, but I see Cindy kick the sole of his shoe. He lets his book flop onto his chest and looks up at her.
    I run his horoscope through my head. It’s burned on my mind.
    Aquarius
    Star-ling, it’s time to show your softer side.
    Cindy unzips her bag and pulls out
Wuthering Heights
.
    This week will provide a perfect opportunity. Someone will give you a book.
    Will flinches as Cindy drops it into his hands.
    Say thank you. A little sweetness spreads a long way.
    Will sits bolt upright, like she’s just tossed him a severed head. He lifts his shades and stares at it.
    I feel a jolt of delight. I can guess by his shock that he’s read his horoscope. The last thing he expected was for Jessica Jupiter to be right.
    The afternoon bell trills through the shimmering air.
    ‘Time to go.’ Marcus hauls himself wearily to his feet.
    I shove the lid back on my sandwich box as Treacle gets to her feet beside me. She dusts the grass off her skirt.
    Savannah scrabbles on the ground, sweeping crisp packets and cartons into her empty lunch bag. ‘Ryan’s such a litterbug,’ she complains.
    ‘Let him pick them up.’ Marcus shrugs his backpack on and heads towards school.
    ‘Wait!’ As Savannah looks up, Marcus catches his foot in the strap of her book bag. Clumsy as a toddler, he staggers and falls, landing on the grass with a groan.
    ‘Are you OK?’ Savannah leaps to his side and checks him for breaks.
    ‘I’m fine.’ His face reddens.
    ‘The stars have spoken!’ Treacle laughs. ‘Jessica warned you not to trip over.’

 

    The hum of vacuum cleaners echoes through the empty corridors as I climb the stairs to webzine HQ. I like being in school when it’s empty. The last bell rang twenty
minutes ago. Apart from chess club and the cleaners, I’m the only one left. It’s very Zombie Apocalypse, but without the corpses.
    Afternoon sunshine streams through a skylight. It blinds me as I make the final turn.
    ‘Hi, Gemma.’
    I nearly bump into Sam. He’s on the top step.
    ‘Hi.’ Shielding my eyes from the glare, I look up.
    He’s framed by sunshine like Zeus on Mount Olympus, his mop of blond hair ablaze with light.
    I avert my gaze before I turn into a pillar of salt. ‘Are you heading for HQ?’
    ‘Kind of,’ he mumbles.
    ‘You’re either going there or not.’ I try to pass, feeling a blush rising in my cheeks.
    He doesn’t make it easy. He moves sideways, steering me away from the storeroom door. ‘I guess I was looking for someone.’
    I feel a prickle of irritation.
He’s looking for Cindy.
Why not just say it?
    ‘Are you going to the prom?’ he asks suddenly.
    I stall in the sunshine. ‘Why?’
    ‘Have you got a date?’ He sounds casual.
Suspiciously
casual. My irritation deepens. I bet he’s got a desperate friend who needs setting up. Why did he assume
I’d be available? Does he think I
can’t
get a date?
    ‘I don’t have a date.’ I lift my chin. ‘Because I don’t
want
one.’
    ‘You don’t want one?’ He stares at me.
    ‘Is that against the law?’ Why does everyone act like you
have
to have a date? He’s obviously so wrapped up in the thought of being with Cindy on prom night that he
can’t even imagine it’s OK to be alone.
    I stare hard into his blue-blue eyes. ‘I’m
happy
on my own.’
    I push past him. This time he doesn’t block me and I head into the storeroom. It’s empty. The smell of polish fills the warm air. I glance back. Sam’s hovering in the hallway.
‘Cindy’s not here,’ I tell him.
    ‘Oh.’ Not meeting my eye, he shoves his hands into his pockets. ‘I guess I’ll be going.’
    ‘See