One with the Wind by Jane Livingston Read Free Book Online

work out?”
                Josie hated how he could be so casual, like he could take or leave her at any moment—trade her in for another model. She watched him nonchalantly slurp his iced tea. “I’ve been accepted to Cornell,” she said.
                Nick dropped the straw from his mouth and looked in front of him. “Good. That’s great,” he tried to force a smile but said nothing else. He started the car.
                “Nick—” she started.
                “There’s no use talking about it now. It’s nine months away. Anything can happen between now and then,” he said.
                It was the truth, but she wanted to know.
Will we last, or are we a passing fling? Is it love, teenage puppy love, or just flat out lust and how will I know the difference?
 Josie watched the snow falling from the sky and suppressed the tears that started to brim. Already she missed Nick and he was sitting right beside her.
                He grabbed hold of her thigh and squeezed. “It’s going to be all right. I promise.”
                Josie placed her hand on top of his and forced a weak smile. She wiped the tears that rolled down her cheeks, hoping he didn’t notice her wet face.

Runaway Prom
                 Josie paced back and forth in her cream satin gown. She kept retying the pale yellow sash and checking her hair in the downstairs hallway mirror.
Where could he be?
                “I’m sure he’ll be here any minute,” assured her mother.
                She was not convinced. It was not like Nick; he was always on time and to be late picking her up for the prom unnerved Josie. “What if something happened? What if he was in an accident?” she said, checking her cellphone again.
                She texted and called him, but still there was no answer. “I can’t believe this is happening.” Finally she received a text message: I’m on my way.  She sighed and walked outside to wait for him, feeling more relaxed. She watched him approach from down the street. He parked in their driveway and slammed the car door. Josie knew something was wrong. “What happened?”
                “Nothing to worry about,” he said with a forced smile. “Sorry I’m late.  You look beautiful.”
                They had the ceremonial exchanging of the corsage and boutonniere as her parents took photos, but something was off and Josie knew it. When they were finally alone in the car she asked, “Do you want to tell me what’s wrong?”
                He started the ignition. “No. It’s okay.”
                Josie admired him. He looked so dashing. “I have an idea. Why don’t we skip the prom?”
                “No! Why? You look beautiful in your dress.”
                “We’re already late and who cares? It’s just a fancy dance.” She unpinned her hair from her French twist and retrieved her sunglasses from her handbag. Reclining against the seat, she rested her arm on the open window. “Let’s be one with the wind.”
                “Are you sure?”
                “Absolutely! It will be an adventure. Anyone can go to their prom on prom night; I want to ride.”
                Nick gave her a wide grin. “Alright!”
                Josie leaned over the front seat, removed his bow tie, and unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt. “There, now you look more relaxed.”
                “Thanks sweetheart,” he said, straightening the collar of his shirt.
                Nick drove south toward Somerset. It felt absolutely liberating to break through old traditions. Josie let out an excited scream as Nick pumped up the volume on the car stereo.
                Their mood sobered, as they approached a highway sign. Nick offered a salute and as they grew closer, Josie leaned