Last Train Home by Megan Nugen Isbell Read Free Book Online

backpack against the leg of the chair and pulled out my book.
    “I thought you already read The Scarlet Letter ,” Jesse said, leaning closer to my desk.
    “I have,” I said as I continued skimming through it.
    “Then why are you still reading it?”
    “Got nothing better to do,” I said , looking over the top of my book at him.
    “Oh , that’s right.  Alex’s not here yet.  Whatever will you do?”
    I put my book down, choosing to ignore his remark.
    “I guess I co uld talk to you,” I said, matching his sarcasm.
    “That won’t be necessary.  Alex just walked in,” he whispered and pointed to the door. “Are you ready?  Oh wait, you’ve got a piece of lettuce in your teeth.”
    “What?” I said as I instantly began digging through my backpack for my compact.
    “Calm down.  I’m kidding.  You look fine,” he laughed and then turned back to face the front. 
    “Jerk,” I mumbled and Jesse turned and grinned at me before he began writing something in his notebook.
    My heart, which had started pounding when I thought I’d been walking around with green guck stuck in my teeth, began to settle and I looked up just in time to see Alex walk past me.  He smiled and knocked lightly on the top of my desk as he walked to his seat.  He was followed a minute later by the boy who separated our desks.  I still hadn’t learned his name yet, but I wondered if he wasn’t sitting there if Alex would’ve talked to me.  I dismissed the thought though and began doodling in my notebook.  We’d have plenty of time to talk on Saturday night.
    My wish was granted.  No group work, just a class discussion and a video clip from the movie adaptation of The Scarlet Letter .  I’d hoped it would be the version with Demi Moore, but instead Mrs. Davenport showed the Masterpiece Theater production.  I wasn’t going to complain though.  Any chance to veg out in class was always welcome. 
    When the bell rang, the class began shoving their books and pencils into their backpacks, myself included. 
    “See you tonight , Boston,” Jesse said to me as I brushed by his desk.
    “Yeah.   See you tonight,” I said to him and left the classroom and headed to my locker.
    I was maneuvering through the crowd when I heard Alex’ s voice calling from behind me.
    “Riley,” he said again a s he stepped in stride with me.
    “Oh, hey , Alex,” I said trying to sound surprised.  It was key to keep my eagerness to myself to avoid looking desperate.
    “I was hoping you’d wait for me.”
    “S orry.  I’m just anxious to get outta here.”
    “It’s only your se cond day.  It’s been that bad?”
    “No.  It’s been fine.  I just have some things to do before I go out tonight.”
    “ That’s right.  Your plans.  So are you going to tell me where you’re going?”
    “You’re awfully nosey,” I said , stopping once we’d reached my locker.
    “Don’t tell me then.  I don’t care,” he said playfully, but as I looked into those dark eyes of his, I didn’t want the conversation to end.
    “I’m just going to a friend’s house to hang out,” I said , shrugging my shoulders and shutting my locker.
    “I wasn’t aware you’d made fr iends already,” he said with his half-grin.
    “Oh, I have friends alright.”
    “You mean that crew you sit with at lunch?  Holly and Laura and Mandy?”
    “Yeah.   Do you approve?”
    “They’re not bad.  That Mandy one’s a little yippy though, like a Chihuahua…has been since kindergarten,” he said and I couldn’t help but laugh because it was so true. “What are you guys d oing?”
    “We’re going over to Jesse’s house.  I guess we’re going to rid e four-wheelers, stuff you guys do for fun around here.  I don’t know.”
    “Jesse Baylor?” he asked , looking over at me and I nodded.
    “You know him?”
    “Of course I do.  You forget this is Carver.  We all know each other.  We may not hang out, but there’s very little that’s anonymous