Fast-Tracked by Tracy Rozzlynn Read Free Book Online Page B

our spines. At least it had that effect on me; I only hoped that it was the same for him. By the time we stepped back on land, we both had the kinds of dreamy, drunken, doe-eyed expressions that can only be caused by love. Yeah, on others I found that look nauseating and stupid, but – well, now I really didn’t care what anyone else thought. I laughed at the look the salesperson gave us as I bought souvenir fire coals for us both.
    Slowly we made our way back through the park, towards its exit and towards the tram. We were almost to the exit when Byron suddenly wrapped his arm around me and quickly spun me behind a statue of President Touffe . I was still giggling over his unexpected impulsiveness when he leaned down towards me. My eyes locked with his. I could feel his soul speaking to mine and telling me what he wanted. I rose up on my toes and pressed my lips against his. He responded by tightening his grip around my waist and pulling me to him until our bodies merged into one. Then his lips reacted to mine. His kisses were soft, gentle. They tasted of the apple cider and him. I wanted the moment to last forever – but unexpectedly he broke the kiss.
    “ Ow !” he said as he pulled my hands away from him. He stepped back, leaving me confused and questioning what I did wrong. I had never kissed anyone before. I knew I hadn’t bitten him. I couldn’t have been bad enough to cause him pain, could I?
    Byron reached up to his neck and pulled his hand back with blood on it. Inadvertently, when I wrapped my hands around his neck, I had stabbed him with one of the rose’s thorns.
    “Oh no!” I gasped. “I’m so sorry,” I apologized as I tried to stifle a relieved laugh.
    “Don’t be.” He smiled as he took the rose from my hand and placed it on the base of the statue. “I’m just sorry I didn’t do this sooner.” He chuckled and then pulled me back into his sweet embrace and kissed me again.
     
     
    I slept late the next morning, and stayed in bed even longer. I was unwilling to face the reality that I knew was waiting. I preferred to hide under my covers and desperately try to hold onto the memory of my dream.
    Eventually, I dragged myself to my feet and down the stairs without bothering to change or shower. The holiday was over, so my dad had returned to work, but with school being out for the week, my mom was home at least. I didn’t feel like talking, but I didn’t want to be in the house by myself either.
    My mom seemed to understand and didn’t try to ask any questions. I sat at the kitchen table drinking juice and eating cereal – but I didn’t taste any of it.
    It didn’t take long for the silence to be too much for my mom. She started pacing the room, cleaning things that were already clean. As I stood up and cleared my bowl she said, “I made a casserole for the Levenson’s . I was going to bring it over this morning. You’re welcome to join me.”
    I looked down at the rumpled clothes I still had on from yesterday. “Just let me shower,” I mumbled and headed upstairs. Currently I wasn’t capable of expressing it, but I was thankful for the company. I wanted to visit Byron and see if he had calmed down yet. But honestly the thought of seeing him the way he was last night frightened me. At least I knew Byron’s parents wouldn’t be home: they both had to work. I couldn’t face them knowing that somehow they’d find a way to blame our relationship for what happened. But even without them home, I needed my mom’s support.
    The short distance from our front door to his took an eternity to cross. With each step I felt my heart rise higher and higher in my throat until I could hardly breathe. My pulse was racing and my head was spinning. Everything in my body told me to just turn around and flee from this confrontation waiting for me. I was foolish to think he would be calmed down already. How do you calm down when every one of your hopes and dreams is suddenly crushed?
    My mom could