One of the Guys by Lisa Aldin Read Free Book Online Page B

“Better than Burlington anyway.”
    I snort. “The hallways smell of stress, pretension, and nail polish.”
    Loch shrugs. “Better than the smell of White Castle burgers in the morning.”
    â€œGross.” I laugh. “Ollie still eats that stuff for breakfast?”
    â€œThe man loves those little burgers,” Loch says, laughing.
    I picture the excited look on Ollie’s face as he walks the hallways each morning, the grease-stained bag in hand, the stench of onion strong. I miss that look. I miss that disgusting onion-y smell.
    I stop to pull my camera from my bag, snapping photos of a few sugar maples, ignoring my wave of sadness. Such a silly thing to miss, Ollie’s terrible taste in breakfast food. This is why I have to stay busy and concentrate on what’s laid out in front of me. If I allow it, I will become a mourner, lost in a pit of grief over my former existence.
    Loch takes out his flip camera and films the scenery.
    â€œBigfoot could be watching us right now,” he says, scanning the area.
    â€œIsn’t he more of a Pacific Northwest monster?” I ask.
    â€œHe’s seen around these parts.” Loch lowers the camera. “A few years ago, two kids saw a big hairy monster on a camping trip.”
    â€œToo bad they forgot their camera,” I say.
    â€œThese creatures can appear out of nowhere.” Loch brightens. “It’s the unexpected. The unknown. Not everyone is filming things all the time. No one can live like that.” He sighs. “I wish I’d filmed what we saw. It was Champ. I know it. We could be millionaires or something.”
    â€œDoubt it,” I reply. “Some people don’t believe something even when it’s right in front of their face. Just look at Ollie. He saw Champ. Yet— denial.”
    Loch stops walking. “You’re cynical today.”
    I shrug. He’s right. Lately, I just haven’t been in the mood to believe in legends. I hate to admit it, but Ollie and Cowboy painted some doubt in my mind. What if we didn’t see Champ that summer? What if our friendship is based on a floating twig or something? Not exactly a strong foundation. Maybe it’s best not to know. Maybe we shouldn’t be hunting for legends. What if we discover none of it’s real?
    I sigh. “Maybe these creatures shouldn’t be found, Loch. Maybe Champ should remain a mystery. I don’t know. Sometimes mystery is good. Take these group sessions I have to go to every week. They want us to share our feelings, expose ourselves, but maybe it’s best to just keep things inside and locked away.”
    Loch starts filming again. “Best for who?”
    â€œFor everyone,” I say. “Knowing every little thing could upset the balance of things.” I look away, shivering. This time next year, what will we all be doing? Who will our friends be? Am I even capable of making a new friend? I’ve had the same ones since forever.
    â€œToni, look.” Loch points to something in the dirt. I move in next to him, leaning forward, trying to see what he sees. My arm brushes his arm.
    â€œWhat?” I’m staring at a pile of leaves.
    â€œDon’t you see that?” Loch points his camera at the ground like it’s the most interesting piece of earth on, well, Earth. All I see are the leaves and dirt. “There.” Loch points again.
    Beneath the leaves, what looks to be a footprint is stamped into the mud. I nod. “Looks like someone’s footprint.”
    Loch straightens and grins. His teeth are super-white. I don’t think he’s gone a day without flossing. “Not just anyone’s footprint. Bigfoot’s !”
    I laugh and punch him in the arm. He punches me back, grinning again. I start walking, and Loch follows, shortening his long strides to keep pace with mine.
    â€œI just want to know everything I can about this world,” Loch says after