Tenth Grade Bleeds by Heather Brewer Read Free Book Online Page A

“Dude, we’re the same age! And anyway, who cares? It’s the funnest night of the year. Why shouldn’t we dress up and goof off?”
    Henry shrugged. “I just don’t feel like going, okay?”
    But Vlad knew exactly what Henry’s reasons were for not going to Matthew’s party this year. For one, Melissa Hart had already accepted a date with Mike Brennan—and these days, Henry only seemed to have eyes for Melissa. And for two, Melissa and Meredith were practically inseparable, which likely meant that the four of them were going to spend quite a bit of time together at the party . . . and Henry would feel left out. Vlad got it. He really did. But he also knew that he would do everything in his power not to make Henry feel like a tagalong, and he needed Henry to believe that.
    Vlad sighed, dropping the empty blood bag and straw into the biohazard box under the sink. It wasn’t just that Vlad wanted Henry to come. Henry’s presence made it a whole lot easier to share the same air as the popular kids, and to ward off any nasty comments about Vlad. His best friend was an ever-present safety catch.
    When he looked at Henry, it pained him. His friend seemed so stressed out lately, and there was little Vlad could do to alleviate it. “Look, I know how much you like Melissa, Henry—”
    â€œ Then help me.”
    Vlad blinked. “How?”
    Henry uncrossed his arms and placed his hands back on the counter, hunching his shoulders. He held Vlad’s gaze for a moment before answering. “Find out if Melissa likes me.”
    Vlad shrugged, hoping Henry wasn’t asking him to do what he thought he was asking him to do. “I guess I could ask Meredith—”
    â€œYou know that’s not what I mean.” Henry’s mouth was a thin, determined line. “Read her mind. Tell me whether or not I even have a remote chance with her.”
    Vlad couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Reading the minds of hot girls at the mall was one thing. But sneaking around in Melissa’s private thoughts just to give Henry an edge—an edge Henry didn’t need at all with any other girl at Bathory High—just seemed wrong. He knew Henry only asked out of desperation, but that still didn’t make it right. He shook his head. “I can’t do that, man. Sorry.”
    Henry’s face flushed. His voice shook slightly. “What good are all these vampiric powers if you can’t even help out a friend?”
    â€œI’m not saying no to be a jerk. I just don’t feel right about traipsing around inside Melissa’s head.” He looked at Henry and sighed. “I’m sorry. I just can’t.”
    â€œSo you’re a hypocrite.”
    â€œNo, I just know right from wrong.”
    Henry dropped his gaze, defeated. Several moments of awkward, tense silence passed, until finally he spoke, giving way to a drastic subject change. “Have you had any luck reaching Otis?”
    Vlad watched him for a moment. Resisting the temptation to peek into his friend’s thoughts, Vlad toyed absently with the bolt on the left side of his neck. “Not yet. It’s weird, I haven’t been able to reach him since he left town.”
    Henry shrugged, not looking completely invested in the conversation. “Maybe it’s a distance thing?”
    â€œMight be. I mean, I had no problem with distance in the training room in Siberia, but outside that room . . . well, it’s harder to reach people sometimes.” Vlad furrowed his brow. “I hope he’s not keeping me out of his head for some reason.”
    â€œI’m sure he’s not. Don’t worry about it.”
    But Vlad was worried about it. The quiet in his mind was terribly unsettling. But he trusted Otis. And if Otis said he’d be back soon, he’d be back soon.
    The doorbell rang, and Vlad gave Henry one last pleading glance before bolting for the