Rae of Hope (The Chronicles of Kerrigan) by W.J. May Read Free Book Online Page B

of knee-knocking distance. She didn’t seem to move far enough. Within minutes, Andy’s warm leg brushed up against hers again. As she tried to figure a way to get away from Andy and his warm leg without making a scene, Riley and a younger, slightly-built boy came walking by.
    “Hello, mates.” Riley’s eyes roamed over Haley’s curvy figure. A small smile lifted his lips. “You’re a senior, right? What’s your gift, again?”
    Molly spoke before Haley had a chance. “She can pass wind.”
    “I don’t pass wind,” Haley snapped, scowling at Molly. “I create it.”
    Rae rolled her eyes heavenward, embarrassed by both girls.
    “Cool.” He pointed at the sandy blond guy beside him. “This wee fellow’s Nicholas. He’s like an instructional guidebook. You name it, Nic can put it together without the manual.”
    “Handy. What does your ink look like?” Haley asked.
    “Like an open book.” Nicholas held his arm out. “The ink is kind of boring, actually, but the talent’s totally useful.” He sat down on the steps beside her.
    “Especially when you’re trying to get out of a tough situation,” Riley bragged. “Nic can build a device out of a paper clip and a stick of chewing gum!”
    “You sound like MacGyver ,” Rae said.
    “Pardon?” Nicholas’ eyes grew big and he began fidgeting. In fact, everyone stared strangely at her.
    “You know, MacGyver ?” Rae wondered what was up with the weird looks.
    She got nothing but silence, followed by nudges and shrugs from the guys.
    Rae sighed, wishing she’d just stayed in her dorm room. “It was a television show in America. About a guy who can get out of tough situations by using whatever’s lying around. Kind of like a private eye – mystery series.” She shrugged. “Maybe you never had it here in England.”
    “We’ve never heard of the show, but it sounds just like our Nicholas.” Andy slapped Nic on the back. “The best part is Nic’s last name is MacGyver.”
    “You’re kidding me!” Rae glanced from Riley to Nicolas in disbelief. Great. Now Molly was going to tell everyone she was psychic. That’s all she needed.
    “No joke.” A relieved-looking Nicholas let out a tentative laugh and started playing with his keychain. Rae noticed a Swiss army knife on it and held back a giggle.
    “Maybe the show was invented by some distant relative who’s getting a big kick out of the story line and the reality versus irony of the show!” Andy said.
    Nic’s face brightened, making him appear even younger than sixteen. “I’m checking it online tonight. I’ll have to get the DVD for my dad for Christmas.”
    While they chatted about the upcoming school year, Riley made mention of a school dance in October and that Guilder always invited the nearby female college, Roe Hampton.
    “Maybe they won’t invite the girls this year since we’re here,” Molly said.
    She sounded so hopeful, Rae felt a little twinge of compassion for her roomy.
    “There are two dances held each year. One in the fall and the other in the spring. It’s been tradition here for as long as the schools have been in existence. The dances are held like balls or masquerades – like they used to have in Tudor times with King Henry VIII. I doubt they’ll stop it because sixteen girls are at Guilder now.” His arm swept the school grounds. “We spend ten months of the year stuck here with all of us freaks, so it’s nice to hang out for a bit with the rest of the world and act normal. You’ll see for yourself. The fall dance is here at Guilder and the spring dance is at Roe Hampton.”
    Molly pouted and crossed her arms. “I prefer being around us freaks rather than those freakin’ girls.”
    Andy laughed and grabbed Molly’s hand to pull her up from her position lounging on the steps. “Come on. Wait until you’ve been here for a year. Then you’ll be begging for some normal human interaction. We’re not allowed to use our ink at the dances, but someone always