Suspending Reality by Chrissy Peebles Read Free Book Online Page B

community.”
    “Do you see my dad, my brother, or my sister?”
    “All the time.”
    “How are they doing?”
    “Wonderful.”
    “Please tell them I said hello.”
    “I will.” His gaze narrowed. “What’s wrong, Sky?”
    “Walter, I just don’t see why I have to wait, why I can’t go up to the surface to be with my family. Why are some of us left behind down here? Miami’s a big city. Surely there’s enough room for all of us.”
    “Look, you should enjoy your life down here while you can. It is beautiful up there, but it’s a lot of hard work.”
    “I know, but I don’t care. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to help our community.”
    “You’ll be up there in no time. Don’t rush it, Sky.”
    ***
    After my talk with Walter ended, I ran into Brett. When I did, I lit up like a Christmas tree; my awesome boyfriend always had that effect on me. Brett had short, blond hair and brown eyes. He wasn’t muscular, but he was definitely fit and in shape, very athletic. I’d been smitten with him ever since he took my toy truck when I was five. We’d grown up together, and we’d been sweethearts since childhood. He was the perfect guy for me, and no one—not even Walter—could replace him.
    I didn’t like keeping secrets from Brett, so I told him about the jewelry dilemma. He was pretty cool about it, surprisingly mature for his age, and I was thankful for that. We decided to walk to his room because he had a special birthday present of his own to give to me. As nice and thoughtful as Walter’s gift had been, Brett could have given me a paper airplane, and that would have meant a whole lot more to me than Walter’s diamonds.
    When I overheard a couple talking, I listened intently.
    “Dante Marcellus has envisioned a glorious future for everyone,” Jan said.
    Her husband nodded. “He has a strategic plan to get us all out of here. We just have to wait our turn. It’ll only be a little longer.”
    “Well, some things are worth waiting for. I’m sure he has good things in store for us.”
    “I agree. We couldn’t ask for a more charming, adaptable, persuasive leader.”
    “Remember that last speech he gave before he went to the surface? I felt the energy and adrenaline when he talked about the challenges we’d face.”
    I rolled my eyes, tired of Dante’s fan club, and continued walking to Brett’s room. How can all these people so blindly accept everything that man tells them? I wanted to say something about it, but I was pretty sure Brett was tired of me standing on my soapbox, ranting and raving about it all the time.
    Brett opened the door, and I walked in first and sat down on his bed. 
    “I’m afraid I can’t top diamonds and silver,” he said as he walked over to the dresser to pull something out of his drawer.
    “I turned those down, remember?” I reminded him. “A gift from anyone else doesn’t mean anything to me.”
    “Sky, I know there’s only one man in your life,” he said, absolutely aware that no other man could compete with him when it came to my affections.
    I grinned. “You’re right…and you’re him, baby.”
    He softly brushed his lips against mine in a soft kiss. “Happy birthday, Sky,” he said, handing me a card and a present.
    The passionate kiss would have been enough, but I smiled and opened the box. When I saw what was inside it, I screamed in delight at the giant stone set in a stylish silver ring.
    “It’s a mood ring,” he said. “It changes colors when your mood does. It reminds me of your eyes,” he explained. 
    “I love it, Brett! It’s just…perfect.” I jumped into his arms, and he lifted me up and kissed me.
    “I know it’s not a diamond, but—”
    I put my finger to his lips. “I’d rather have this any day. This is more…me, and it flatters me that you know that.”
    He grinned, and I kissed him on the cheek and slid the ring on my finger. 
    ***
    I wasn’t a huge fan of school, but I did actually look forward to my