Lucas Ryan Versus: The Hive (The Lucas Ryan Versus Series) by Madison Daniel Read Free Book Online Page B

the only one of them really there to support me though. Morgan stayed to soak up every moment she could with Taylor, and Roland only stayed because his sister made him.
    “Come on, Luc...you’ll see her tomorrow,” Roland pleaded, watching the clock on the screen of his cell phone. Taylor and I both shot him an annoyed glance. I noticed that the school parking lot had shrank down to just a few vehicles. It wouldn’t be much longer, so I let them off the hook.
    “Thanks for hanging out guys, but you can go home. I’ll be all right,” I said.
    Roland whipped around, relieved. “Really?”
    “Are you sure?” Taylor asked, concerned.
    “Yeah. Get them out of here, I’ll walk if I need to,” I said, with a friendly smack on his back.
    “Okay, Luc, I get it. We’re cramping your style,” Taylor teased. He nudged Roland to climb into his truck as I blushed, stupidly. Taylor’s truck was exactly like him; big, sporty, and strong. Roland hopped in quick and Morgan followed with a wave goodbye.
    “Remember...be yourself,” she said, softly. I gave her a quick smile and a wave.
    “Call me if you need a ride and I’ll come back after I get these two home,” Taylor offered.
    I shook his hand, “Thanks, T.”
     
    They drove off and I stood alone in silence. Fifteen minutes later the school doors flew open, startling me a little bit. Olivia and the rest of her band, marched out into the failing light. Olivia carried her guitar case in hand. Sarah Jane, her bass player and sometimes hairstylist, enjoyed a fresh piece of gum before blowing a pink bubble and popping it. Gwen Davis, the other guitarist and self proclaimed psychic, stared at me hard. She stomped by me with a look of suspense and disgust. I quickly stopped my eye contact. And finally, Linda Perry, the drummer and music fanatic. She handed Olivia a bright blue mp3 player and bounced on by me.
    I watched them all, silent and still. Each girl jumped into their vehicles, first sliding in their individual band equipment, carefully. They were all gone in seconds, all of them except Olivia. She stood just out of reach, watching me with curious, colorful eyes.
    “Lucas Ryan.” She stepped toward me and a lump found its way up into my dry throat.
     
    ~ Tell her. ~
     
    My mind ignored the voice that echoed inside my head. No time for that now. No time for crazy. I had to find something to focus on...I decided on her eyes. They were now an unnatural shade of purple that matched the streaks in her hair. Call it her hobby. Some people collected stamps, others hoarded shoes. Olivia Weaver collected colored contacts. She has done it since before I knew her. Come to think of it, I couldn’t remember what her original eye color was.
    “You were amazing tonight,” I said, as calmly as I could while looking into her stare. She looked back at me with no smile in sight. Something felt wrong. Something felt off. Maybe I was coming on too strong.
    “You enjoyed the show?” she asked, but it sounded more like a fact. Slowly, I nodded yes. She looked down at what I was wearing, the T-shirt she had given me this past afternoon. Her band T-shirt. One eyebrow raised on her face and her eyes filled with a new brightness. Her lips bent upward, readying themselves to smile.
    “I see the shirt fits perfectly.”
    “Um...yeah.” Why hadn’t I said something more witty, or normal? I was trying too hard. I needed to settle myself. I pointed to the image of the girl on the front of the shirt, trying my hardest to erase the last thirty-seconds.
    “She’s cute,” I said, unsure. Olivia stepped closer to me, reaching for the face of the girl. Her finger traced the outline of the girls cheek.
    “She’s my sister.”
    “Really? I asked, calming down. She nodded yes, with a small smile.
    “It’s an older photo of her, she was only six years old when this picture was taken...” her raspy voice drifted off. The amount of unconditional love on Olivia’s face was overwhelming.