Fae by C. J. Abedi Read Free Book Online Page B

People make so many false presumptions. We can’t just assume that walking up to a perfect stranger under a guise and expecting that at that moment they will be willing and able to cooperate will lead to a desired result. I experienced just that. My first day at this new school, I was feeling overwhelmed, carrying many burdens and responsibilities, meeting with so many new faces. Then I met one face that demanded my immediate attention without caring or consideration. This stranger approached me with the assumption that I would be willing to share intimate details of my life upon command.”
    Her face turned bright red.
    â€œWalk in someone else’s shoes for one moment, gaze through the microscope into someone else’s life. You may be surprised, and you may realize that life is hard enough. Let’s leave judgment in the hands of the universe and hope that it is fair.”
    The room broke out in applause. I smiled as I looked around at my entranced audience. Then my gaze met hers dead on.
    â€œI obviously speak proper English. But I can also repeat it in German, Spanish, French, Latin, and even Japanese, if you’d like.”
C
    It felt like I was dying. Not a quick death, nor a merciful death, but a slow, painstaking, prison-camp one. Where little insects carefully eat away at each part of your body for hours at a time.
    The worst part about it was that he was smart. He was way smart. This was really bad. I thought the class would never end. I didn’t hear any of the other presentations because I could feel him sitting behind me breathing. I knew he had a smirk on his face because he had given me a healthy view of it as he walked by my seat. This in turn caused me to break out in a deep sweat.
    I felt each drop run down my neck, and I didn’t want to keep rubbing it so the he would get any satisfaction. Even though I knew that he was satisfied.
    He won.
    And the worst part was that it wasn’t even that hard. I had gone down in flames. Giant ones.
    After what felt like a lifetime of agony, I was finally saved by the bell. The moment it rang, I took a deep breath and waited for him to rise and walk by my desk and out of my life. I slowly reached down to grab my things. My term in purgatory was complete. Now, all that was left was to face the questioning stares of Teddy.
    â€œYou’ve got to tell me everything,” he said in amazement.
    â€œDidn’t you get a healthy dose of it in class?” I shrugged.
    â€œIt must have been pretty bad,” he said compassionately. “I’ve never known you to lash out at someone like that.”
    â€œI guess he just brings out the worst in me.”
    â€œWhat exactly happened?” he asked as we walked to our lockers.
    â€œIt really wasn’t a big deal, well I guess it was at the time. He kind of blew me off in front of a crowd of people.” I tried to smile, but I honestly just hated talking it about it all over again. I knew that Teddy wouldn’t let up until I told him the whole story.
    â€œWell, that sucks.”
    â€œYeah, it did, but no big deal. It’s not like I even care what he thinks.”
    Lie.
    â€œIt was more that he was rude to me in front of Jordana and her cronies,” I sighed. “And then when I got home I was thinking about what to write, and since it was fresh in my mind, I kind of just went to town.”
    â€œI’ll say,” Teddy said as he laughed. I gave him a dirty look. “Don’t worry about it, your presentation was so much better than his,” Teddy rushed out loyally.
    â€œI’m over it.” I tried to smile.
    Another lie.
    â€œSo did he give you enough material for your interview?”
    â€œNo. Nothing. Now I have to deal with Natalie.”
    Teddy chuckled, “Now, I’m starting to feel sorry for you!”
    â€œI know, sucks to be me,” I said as I reached into my locker to grab my History book. “Listen, don’t forget