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

said. He placed the stack of graded papers off to the side and pulled out a handful of essays. “Young love is always the hardest.”
    “She and I are taking it slow—we’re just friends for now.”
    “It doesn’t seem like it.”
    Calloway smiled. “I did kiss her last night—it was cool.”
    “Cool?” Mr. Avey shook his head. “Was that your first?”
    Calloway’s smile stretched wider. “Yes.”
    “And how did it go?”
    “Awesome.”
    Mr. Avey laughed. “I am very happy for you. And I hope you stay that way.”
    “That makes two of us.”
    “Hawk hasn’t given you any trouble?”
    “No,” Calloway answered. “And I don’t care if he does. There’s nothing he can do to ruin this happiness.”
    “That’s a good attitude.”
    “I suppose.”
    Mr. Avey turned off his computer and grabbed his bag from under his desk. It was a brown leather satchel that his teacher always wore. It was falling apart from excessive use over the years, and rips and tears were becoming more prominent every day. “I have to cut this session short,” he said. “I have a doctor’s appointment.”
    “Is everything okay?”
    “Yes.” Mr. Avey smiled. “Just a routine check-up, making sure everything works right.” He opened the classroom door for Calloway, allowing his student to enter the hallway first, and then locked the door behind them. “How is your essay coming along?” he asked as they moved to the exit of the building, reaching the winter chill of the afternoon air. The clouds were obscuring the sun, making an overcast sky, and the wind was blowing slightly through Calloway’s hair.
    “Good,” Calloway said. “It’s convenient having a computer at home. Breccan uses it, too.”
    “That’s very nice of you to share,” he said.
    Calloway shrugged. “When Breccan steals it, there’s nothing that I can do, really.”
    Mr. Avey laughed. “So you aren’t as nice as I thought.”
    When they came to the parking lot, Calloway’s friends were waiting for him, leaning against the car door while Breccan ate another bag of chips from a vending machine. Easton was staring at him, her face a mix between disgust and surprise.
    Mr. Avey stared at her car. “That’s a sweet ride.”
    Calloway laughed. “I’ve never heard you talk like that before.”
    “Well, dawg, school hours are over.”
    Calloway laughed uproariously at his words, shocked that this teacher could speak in such a way. “I’ll see you later.”
    “Have a good evening, Calloway.” His teacher opened his car door and tossed his bag into the passenger seat. After he got inside, he drove away from the parking lot and down the road, toward his house on the other side of town. There was loud music playing from his stereo and Calloway recognized the sound—it was Led Zeppelin.
    He chuckled to himself as he shook his head then approached his friends across the way. They piled into the car and left the school grounds, heading to their home away from home, the Headquarters.
    “Why are you so chummy with him?” Breccan asked viciously. “He’s just an old teacher.”
    “Why do you care?” Calloway asked. “He’s a good instructor. And he isn’t that old.”
    “You just hang out with him to get free stuff,” Breccan snapped.
    “That’s not true,” said Calloway, stung by his hateful words. “I like him. He’s helped me a lot.”
    “You’re a teacher’s pet.”
    Annoyed, Calloway didn’t retaliate to his comment and tried to forget about the conversation altogether. There were nothing his cousin could say to change his mind—he liked his teacher. Easton drove down the street to the Headquarters, ignoring their argument as she changed the stations on the radio and searched for something to listen to, anything to drown out their insistent bickering. It was difficult to anger Calloway or annoy him, but his cousin’s constant comments were irritating him. First it was Beatrice, and now this. The approval of his friends was