Obscured (The Obscured Series Book 1) by C.M. Boers Read Free Book Online Page B

but I
had gotten pretty lonely before school started. I was used to having someone
around me a lot when I lived in California. Living with both of my parents
meant that there was usually someone else home any time I was. Now with my
mom’s work schedule she wasn’t around as much, so I was home alone a lot more
than I ever had been.
    The
first half of the day went by quickly. We were assigned homework in math, we
worked on our essays in English, and in science we prepared for an experiment
with different sources of power like batteries. I looked forward to doing
projects in science. It beat sitting in your seat listening to a lecture that
never seemed to make sense until you could actually do it anyway. To top it
off, Eli was my lab partner. He made me laugh as we worked.
    Lunch
was pretty crowded after adding Eli to the mix. Pete seemed surprised that he
would be joining us for lunch. I couldn’t tell if it was a good thing or bad
thing yet—but I had a hunch.
    “I
didn't realize how close you guys were,” he whispered to me as we stood in line
to buy our lunches.
    Despite
what Eli had against Pete, lunch went well. I couldn’t even feel any tension
radiating from him. I had been worried about how Eli would act around Pete, but
now I knew that had been silly of me. What did surprise me was Pete’s
apprehension about Eli. I couldn’t guess why.
    “I'll
walk you to class, Abby,” said Pete as we all stood up to leave.
    I
looked at Eli to see if he had heard Pete; of course he had. He hadn’t left my
side since we met Pete at the cafeteria doorway.
    “I'll
walk with you guys. I am headed in that direction too,” Eli chimed in. 
    I
knew that wasn’t true. I don’t know what his problem was; it wasn’t like it was
any different than earlier in the day. Plus, when you’re walking through the
halls, you aren’t really alone anyway. There were hundreds of other students
walking the halls too. In that regard, I felt like he was going a little bit
too far out of his way if you asked me. It was going to get old quickly. I
didn't say anything though, and just made a mental note to talk to him about it
later. We said goodbye to everyone else and walked out of the cafeteria
together.
    Suddenly
there was tension, and the amount of it made me speechless. It seemed to have
the same effect Pete or Eli, because it was dead silent unless you counted the
chatter of other students around us engrossed in their own conversations.
    The
three of us stopped in front of my classroom after what seemed like the
longest, most awkward walk ever. A long silence followed as we stood there, and
I couldn’t make eye contact with either of them, so I made myself appear
interested in the people around us. Gosh, it was painful.
    Finally,
Pete broke the silence. “Well, I was hoping I could get a moment alone with
Abby,” he huffed, looking at Eli expectantly.
    I
looked at Eli and wondered what he would do. I could tell that he was annoyed.
    “Alright,
I should get to class anyway. I will see you after school Abby, same spot?” Eli
shot Pete a smug glance.
    It
was some kind of pissing contest between the two and I couldn’t figure out why.
What had gotten into these guys? Eli added that last part just to annoy Pete,
and to me it looked like it worked. It could get really ugly if this continued.
    “Yeah,” I said smiling at him.
    He
turned and strutted away, but I noticed he didn’t actually leave. He lingered,
talking to someone I didn’t know just out of hearing range. I would have to try
to make it quick with Pete so that Eli wouldn’t be late. This was stressful!
    I
looked back at Pete, who was staring at me. It startled me. He had caught me
staring at Eli again, and I hoped that he didn’t notice the color rising in my
cheeks.
    “I
was sort of wondering if you had any plans this weekend...” he trailed off,
looking nervous and avoiding eye contact.
    “I
don’t know. Did you have something in mind?”
    “Would
you like to go