Hunted by Cheryl Rainfield Read Free Book Online

team.”
    He would be, with his broad back and narrow hips, and 53
    Cheryl Rainfield
    his love of swimming. He shifts his feet, looking awkward when I don’t say anything. “There’s no pressure; I get it if you don’t . . .”
    I shake my head, force myself to focus. “Rachel’s going to show me around,” I manage to get out.
    “She won’t mind,” he says, his eyes twinkling.
    But she will. I can feel her misery, all the way from over here. And it brings me back to myself. “How about we all go together?” I say, then wish I could take it back. What am I doing ?
    Alex grins, his white teeth bright against the dark of his lips. “It’s a date.”
    “If you’re finished setting up your social life, perhaps you’d move on to your next class?” Mr. Arnold says, glaring.
    Alex laughs. “You know you like us hanging around.
    It gives you something to talk about in the teacher’s lounge.”
    Alex brushes my back with his fingers, then settles his hand on my shoulder, like that’s where he meant it to be all along. A warm feeling fills my belly.
    . . . Why do I feel so good around her?. . .
    His thoughts are happy, bright as Christmas lights.
    I quicken my pace to the door, just enough to break contact and stop the rush of his thoughts and emotions. I can barely control my own.
    Rachel’s waiting in the hall. Her lips turn upward uncertainly, like she’s not sure whether she did the right thing or not.
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    “Rachel!” I gasp, yanking out my crumpled schedule.
    “Could you show me where my next class is?”
    “Sure.”
    I turn to Alex, who’s standing behind me, still as a mannequin. “See you after school.” I rush Rachel down the hall, away from him.
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CHAPTER 7
    Rachel raises her eyebrows. “I thought you liked Alex.”
    “I do.” God, I do. But I shouldn’t. I can’t. I’d always be worrying whether I could trust him, whether he’d turn me in if he got mad at me or if we broke up. A Normal and a Para could never make it.
    Rachel pushes open the door, and we head down a flight of stairs, following the crowd. “So?”
    “I don’t even know if I like-like him.” And I can’t let myself want to. Besides, he’s got a secret of his own, reasons he doesn’t want to get involved.
    “Oh, I think you’re crushing on him. I saw your face.” It feels more than a crush. I’m drawn to his happiness, like sunshine warming my skin. I don’t know how he can be so happy with all that’s wrong in the world—people murdering each other, hating each other, raping, starting wars—
    but he is. Even with his own wound, whatever it is, he’s happy. I wish I could be.
    Rachel stops outside a classroom. “This is it.” She hands me back my crumpled schedule.
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    Math. My least favorite subject. I find a seat, try to let the numbers, the equations, mean something to me. But over and over, my thoughts drift to Alex, to his wide smile and laughing eyes, and the calm in his heart.
    e
    Rachel and I enter the pool area together. Only a few mind-voices pepper me; not many people are here yet. The smell of chlorine rises up all around me, and I breathe it in.
    The blue of the pool is unmarred, no one disturbing it yet, the thick navy lines on the bottom guiding the lanes. I ache to dive in.
    Alex strides toward us in just his Speedo, a silver swimming cap, and goggles pushed up over his forehead. I try not to stare at his broad, muscular shoulders, his long, lean legs, and the bulge that makes up his suit. Oh my god.
    I can’t wrench my gaze away. I have to get a grip!
    I don’t understand it. I’ve never fallen for anyone before. My safety’s always come first.
    Alex smiles. “I’m glad you came. Practice’s in a few minutes if you want to stay and watch.” Rachel snorts.
    Alex’s smile freezes. “Your brother’s already in the pool. You gonna go find him?”
    They glare at each other, standing off like fighters.
    I can’t believe they’re acting like this, like they’re