The Pandora Project by Heather A. Cowan Read Free Book Online

feels dangerous, but that just makes him a kindred spirit.
    As we walk into class John heads to the seat I am sure he must have sat in yesterday and I realize that Lexi has cleared the way for me once again by making sure I am able to sit in the seat beside him. I find her in her regular spot and she winks at me and smiles knowingly. I hope she can see the gratitude in my eyes.
    Class starts and I am both relieved and disappointed that our conversation has to come to an end. I again find it hard to concentrate and I wonder if I have always been such a good student because I have never crushed on anyone before. How do people handle it? I never realized how much effort it must take to concentrate on a social life!
    The hour passes quickly and I am thankful I don’t have to contribute anything. As John packs up to leave, he turns to me and says, “I am really looking forward to Friday night.” I smile and realize I am too.

Chapter 6
     
    Looking into my locker I try to remember what I need to bring home for homework. I have been distracted all day, but am happy about it. I have tried for so long to keep everyone away that it is an amazing release to like someone and have them like me back. Giving up, I grab my Calculus, Physics and Government books; it’s not like I’ll probably get a lot of homework done anyway. When I close my locker, John is standing there waiting.
    “I was wondering if you would ever notice me,” he smiles and leans against the locker adjoining mine with his arms folded. I love that he is forever smiling at me. It seems so strange that he can remain so happy when his life is so screwed up.
    “Sorry, I ’ve been distracted all day.” I have to walk around him to head to the parking lot and he follows. My body tenses automatically, wondering if he will touch me again.
    “By what?”
    Yeah, right, like I’m going to tell him! “The usual, admission tests, college applications, scholarships.” All a lie, they don’t let angels of the apocalypse into Harvard.
    “Don’t you ever take a break? You don’t always have to be so serious.”
    “It’s not that I am…” I am effectively cut-off when Ashlynn Taylor throws her body squarely in the path to my car. Pretending it is a mistake or an inadvertent obstacle, I try to maneuver around but she slides in front of me again.
    “Hi, Paige. Hi, John,” she puts on her biggest homecoming queen smile which makes me want to punch her teeth in.
    “Ashlynn.” John nods his head with the one word greeting. Of course he knows Ashlynn, who doesn’t. For the first time her perkiness and social grace really annoys me. I hate her. Ashlynn’s most defining trait is her superiority complex. I am not sure how it would translate into an ability, but she is already such a pro I am not sure a touch from me would make any difference.
    Ashlynn smiles bigger, if that is possible, faking humility and surprise that he knows her name. She wiggles her way between John and I and puts her hand on his shoulder; turning her body so I get a whole lot of highlighted hair in my face. My jealousy of her easy touch covering so much of his body does nothing for my mood. Not wanting to hang around while the hot pangs of jealousy and inadequacy shoot through my body, I continue to walk to the parking lot. John drags Ashlynn close behind.
    “John, I was wondering if you wanted to be my date for a party I am having on Friday night. It’s going to be incredible, and very exclusive.” She gives me a look very obviously indicating I am not on the guest list. Wonder if Reid knows she is looking for a date, can’t she be happy having every other guy in Painted Rock after her?
    Before I can say anything, John stops walking and pulls out from under her hand. “Ashlynn, you did see I was right in the middle of talking to Paige, didn’t you?” I would love to blame the heat rising from my stomach and staining my cheeks on jealousy, rage or pride; but that one sentence causes me to