Tale of Life (Essence Series #2) by E. L. Todd Read Free Book Online

captured, this was his favorite.
    When they walked back to class, Hawk was glaring at him, as usual, but he didn’t comment or insult him. Hawk had finally been silenced and Calloway was elated. He hoped it would stay that way. The happiness he felt was so strong that Hawk’s taunts wouldn’t affect him anyway—he had Beatrice, something that Hawk had thrown away.
    The bell rang and ended the school day, dismissing the students from their classrooms and sending them to the parking lot. When Calloway walked out of the classroom with Breccan, Beatrice joined them and walked alongside Calloway, her binder still tucked under arms. Hawk glared at Calloway as he sauntered behind them, furious that he was denied his opportunity to speak to Beatrice in private.
    “I feel like a scarecrow,” Calloway said, referring to Hawk. “I’m glad that bloody nose finally scared him off.”
    “I’m sure he’ll get his courage back.” Breccan sighed. He tightened the straps of his backpack and walked alongside Calloway, his lips still smeared with the remains of chocolate sauce. “He has a poor memory.”
    “I’m glad I don’t have to worry about him anymore,” said Beatrice, who tucked a stand of blonde hair behind her ear as she moved closer to Calloway. “It’s a good feeling.”
    Calloway smiled at her. “You should get used to it.”
    When they arrived at the building, Calloway stopped before he entered through the door and looked at Breccan and Beatrice. “I’ll see you guys later.”
    “Bye,” Breccan said over his shoulder. The other students ignored him as he passed by, not bothering to comment on the cookie crumbs still on his lips, and he headed to Easton on the other side of the parking lot.
    “Where are you going?” Beatrice asked. She stopped in front of Calloway and shifted her weight, tightening the binder to her chest and pulling another strand of hair behind her ear. Every touch of her locks made Calloway wish he was the one doing the touching.
    “I need to speak to Mr. Avey,” he explained. “I usually see him after school.”
    “Okay,” she said. It was quiet for a moment and Calloway wasn’t sure what to do to break the tension. It seemed like she was waiting for something.
    When Calloway reached toward her, she immediately wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips lightly against his. After he recovered from the shock, he returned her embrace and allowed his fingers to graze her hair. The smell of her skin was intoxicating and it reminded him of wildflowers, bright and colorful on a summer day. He pulled his lips away before the moment became too intense. The size of her petite waistline made his arms circle around her entire body, protecting her in the sheath of his touch. She was small, smaller than Easton, and it made Calloway feel huge, like his arms were the size of ancient tree logs. His hands lingered on her waist for a moment before he pulled away, hesitant to leave the sanctuary of her embrace. He kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    “Bye.” She smiled. Beatrice left his presence and searched for her car.
    The blonde hair swayed behind her back as she walked, and Calloway stared for a moment, mesmerized by the sight. When he finally found his bearings he entered the building and approached Mr. Avey’s classroom. When he walked inside, he was grinning like an idiot, captivated by the feel of her kiss. He’d been walking around with this smile plastered on his face all day. he wondered if anyone noticed.
    “You look stupid when you do that.” Mr. Avey smiled. He was seated at his desk, grading papers, and he looked up when Calloway entered the room.
    His smile widened. “As long as I’m happy, I don’t care how I look.”
    “So you and Ms. Reese, huh?” he said. “Hawk’s former squeeze?”
    “I can’t believe it either,” Calloway said. “And Hawk hasn’t been pestering me. It’s a dream come true.”
    “Just be careful,” Mr. Avey