Insomnia by J. R. Johansson Read Free Book Online Page A

announced. “She’s new. She’s got amazing footwork, and I’m happy to say that even I have a hard time stealing the ball from her.” He grinned at the crowd. “I can still do it, of course, but it’s not easy.”
    He paused for dramatic effect. “Oakville’s new star soccer player—Mia Greene!” Swinging one arm toward the cluster of people at the back of the stage, Jeff beckoned her forward.
    I didn’t even turn around to look. If Megan wasn’t at the assembly, I wanted to either go home or drive to Logandale High and look around. Then I realized that everyone else was craning their necks to look past me, so I stepped to one side and followed their gazes.
    After only a moment’s hesitation, the same little brunette I’d nearly killed with my car walked out from behind the football team. She raised one eyebrow at me as she passed and took her place beside Jeff.
    Megan—no, Mia —dreams of not painting.
    Why had she told me her name was Megan? Then again, random teenage boy who apparently looks like he’s on drugs almost hits you with his car … I guessed I could see the reasoning.
    I gave my head a quick shake. Who cared why? My heart almost burst from my chest. She went to my school! I tried to wipe the grin from my face, but it didn’t work and I didn’t care.
    It wasn’t until she was standing at the front of the stage that I noticed the clenched fists behind her back, and that in spite of the small smile on her face, she looked angry. I grimaced. Apparently she hadn’t gotten over the near-accident yet.
    Jeff moved to block Mia from my view and raised his eyebrows at me for a second. I realized I was staring with my mouth hanging partially open. I shut it with a click, and he gestured for me to come closer. Once I got to his side, he turned back to the crowd, throwing one arm around me and the other around Mia.
    “This year, Boulders, we are unstoppable! Our football team will beat Logandale! Then we’ll take State in girls’ and boys’ soccer! And we want to see everyone at the rally next Friday!”
    The crowd yelled, “Boulders! Boulders! Boulders!” Then the burgundy curtains swung across the front of the stage, cutting us off from the burning lights and the chanting crowd. Jeff dropped his arm from around our shoulders and guided Mia a few steps to the right, smiling and asking what she thought of the assembly. I couldn’t make out her response with the chattering of everyone else on the stage, but it didn’t matter. My brain was still processing so fast I couldn’t have focused on her words much anyway.
    I swallowed. She was here . My hands stopped shaking and a warm gush of relief flowed through my chest, down my arms, and out through my fingertips. The only person who might be able to keep me alive was here, standing five feet away from me.

six
    Addie and Finn came up the stairs on the side of the stage and trotted over to me. Finn was carrying his backpack on one shoulder and mine on the other.
    “That was more than slightly awesome,” he said, low enough that no one else would hear. “You should’ve seen your face, man. I mean, she’s hot, but I didn’t think you’d be into that.”
    Addie’s face was neutral, but she was watching me closely. She was the only person I ever had trouble reading. It seemed like she only let me see what she wanted me to see. I wasn’t sure why, but it made me nervous.
    “Wha—why not?” I glanced over my shoulder and saw Jeff’s back. He and Mia were deep in discussion, and she seemed to be getting more upset by the second.
    “Well, I don’t know … ” Finn stared at his feet for a minute before laughing and shoving me in the shoulder. “You know, because she’s a girl, and … ”
    His face showed no sign that it was a joke. In fact, he appeared more uncomfortable than I’d ever seen him. Addie was staring at him now, too, her eyebrows raised so high they almost touched her hair.
    “What are you talking about? You don’t think