Red Dawn by J.J. Bonds Read Free Book Online

“You’ve been looking forward to this for weeks.”
    Tonight is the annual Halloween Masquerade, but first we’re heading out to Holloway Farm for Moonlight Madness. Last year Shaye and I stumbled aimlessly through the twelve acre corn maze together. Needless to say, it was a complete disaster. We both have a suck sense of direction and didn’t stand a snowballs chance at winning.
    This year we have a plan to improve our odds: stay with Nik. As long as we don’t slow him down, there’s a good chance we’ll win. It’s practically foolproof. Nik has a keen sense of direction and has only lost once. Last year he got held up settling a fight between Jade and me. It cost him his winning streak, but he didn’t seem to mind too much. I smile remembering the mud caked in Jade’s hair when it was all over. Good times .
    “Sorry.” Shaye coughs, looking a little green. “I don’t feel well. I think it’s better if I stay in and rest.”
    “Are you okay?” I ask. I don’t say it, but she looks kind of wrecked. “Maybe I should stay with you?” I hate the idea of leaving Shaye here sick and alone.
    “I’ll be fine. Really,” she promises with a forced smile. “I just need to sleep it off.”
    I watch as she crawls into bed with her cell phone and pulls the covers up to her chin.
    “I don’t know, Shaye. This came on pretty fast, didn’t it?”
    She was fine earlier today and even helped me with my Chem homework. In fact, this is the first time all semester she’s actually admitted to feeling sick. I’ve suspected, but she’s been in full blown denial mode.
    “Quit nagging me and get out of here,” she says rolling over so that her back is facing me. “I’m trying to sleep. Besides, Keegan is just a text away if I need anything.”
    I don’t point out that he can’t actually enter the dorms without getting into trouble. That’s probably not helpful feedback when dealing with a sick girl whose boyfriend is persona non grata. Eventually Shaye’s soft snores convince me that she’ll be alright without me to watch over her, at least for a few hours. I quietly grab my boots and leather jacket and slip out into the hall, promising myself that I’ll check on her again as soon as I get back.
    As I descend the stone steps at the front of the school, my heart flutters at the sight of Nik standing at the bottom. He’s waiting for me, something I never would have thought possible or even desirable at this time last year. I’ve come a long way, I suppose. From troubled loner to… what? I’m not really sure. I’m not Kate Osborne, Homecoming Queen, anymore. But I’m learning to let go of that life and the grief that sent me spiraling out of control.
    It’s harder to let go of the atrocities I committed, but I’m working on it. After everything that’s happened, I can’t imagine my life without Shaye, or Nik, or even Anya. Each of them, in their own way, has opened my eyes to this world and shown me a different path. I’m not quite so alone anymore.
    “Hey, beautiful,” Nik greets me, sliding an arm around my waist and steering me toward the waiting charter buses. Only the best for Crossroads students.
    “Hey, yourself.” I can’t help smiling as I bury my face in his shoulder, all worries about Shaye’s health and the past slipping from my mind.
    “Where’s Shaye?” he asks, realizing we’re short one quirky vamp.
    “Not coming,” I say, tensing up. I don’t offer any further explanation. I don’t want to betray Shaye’s confidence. Her illness isn’t exactly common knowledge and I don’t want it to become a source of gossip around the school.
    “Meaning I get you all to myself,” he purrs, looking like a tiger about to pounce on its prey.
    “Something like that,” I reply, rolling my eyes. The boy is incorrigible. I swear he has a one track mind lately.
    “You smell delicious,” he whispers while nuzzling my neck. “How do you expect me to concentrate with you at my