Shades of Darkness by A. R. Kahler Read Free Book Online Page A

halfway toward me, a huge grin on her face and one hand waving. I was surprised she didn’t slip as she jogged; I’d nearly faceplanted twice already.
    â€œKaira, wait up!” she called. I stopped and waited with my hands deep in the pockets of my coat, watching her dance in and out of puddles of light. When she reached me, she did slide, but I caught her last minute and helped her steady.
    â€œHeya,” I said when she was stable.
    â€œSorry, didn’t want to miss you. You’ll never guess who I was just talking with.”
    â€œUm . . .”
    â€œChris!” she exclaimed, and she actually did a little bounce. I kept ahold of her arm, just in case.
    â€œOh yeah?” I asked. I grinned. “Does someone have a crush?”
    â€œI’d say so,” she said. “He couldn’t stop talking about you.”
    â€œWait, what?”
    I was honestly asking about her . Chris couldn’t have a crush on me. I mean, we had two classes together and we barely ever spoke. It was ludicrous. My stomach twisted as Brad’s face drifted to mind.
    â€œYeah,” she said. “We went back to the studio to finish up the still life, and he kept asking me questions about you.”
    â€œWhat sort of questions?” I asked slowly.
    â€œLike, I dunno, general sorts of stuff. How I knew you. How long you’d been here. If you had a boyfriend or girlfriend.”
    â€œPlease tell me you lied,” I said. I glanced over to the boys’ dorms, fully expecting Chris to emerge and look over and wave. He didn’t, of course. There were maybe five minutes until we were late for sign-in, so he was probably back in his room or in the lounge chatting with his dormmates.
    â€œWhat? No. I told him we’d had a few classes together and that you were an awesome painter and came here last year. And that you were most definitely single.”
    â€œAnd keeping it that way,” I said. Maybe a little too forcefully. Jane was one of those satellite friends—someone I knew and hung out with on occasion and joked with in studio. She didn’t know the finer details of my life, and my distinct aversion to the “dating” word. Her smile dropped the moment I spoke. “I mean, sorry. I guess I’m just trying not to get too attached right now, is all. End of term, college. Kind of bad timing.”
    She nodded. “Still, though. He’s really cute. And talented. And he seemed pretty genuine, so I think he’s not one of those pervy creepers like in the drama department.”
    It was well known that spring term last year, she dated a guy named Justin for a few weeks before learning that he was dating three other girls at the same time, one per department. Pretty certain the slap he received from her had been heard across campus.
    The portrait she did of him and hung on the “works in progress” board in the vis arts hallway had been icing on the cake. It was in the style of those convicted felon posters, with the title Terrible Kisser .
    For Jane, it was a vicious move. I’d always thought it was kind of endearing. I’d even asked her to make one for me, which had just made her blush and had garnered no definitive response. I was still waiting. I wanted my title to be Unfashionable Fashionista .
    â€œWell, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see,” I said, seriously hoping we never would. “He hasn’t mentioned anything to me.”
    â€œMhm. I think that’s because he’s nervous you’ll reject him. He asked if you were single a lot .”
    I shook my head. There was a hopeful glint in her eyes that told me A) there was no talking her out of this, and B) no point trying to convince her I was totally okay being single. Better than okay. Brilliant. “Anyway, we’re almost late.”
    â€œRight! Well, I’ll see you tomorrow. Can’t wait to see your painting.”
    â€œThanks.” My