The Perfect Emotion by Melissa Rolka Read Free Book Online

thrown across the room.   Instantly, I work on calming myself and my breathing before I start to hyperventilate.  I’m shocked at how quickly I am able to keep myself in control.  Thinking of that night is still traumatic, but I’m able to deal with it better now.  Moments like this remind me of how important it is for me to continue with the therapy.
    Maggie starts to stir in her bed. I smile when I see her face down in her pillow all spread out with no blankets on her. This is how she always sleeps. Although, I wonder how she sleeps with Brandon. I know she has a test later today and will want to get up soon to study again.
    “Mags, wake up.”  Silence. 
    “Mags.”
    “I’m up,” she mumbles out gruffly. 
    As she continues to stir I glance back at my phone to look at another text. This one stops my heart for another reason.  It’s Reed. 
Katherine, I missed my tennis opponent on Saturday.  Friday night at 6?   Reed
    I squeeze my phone to my chest and let out a little squeal.  Funny how two texts from different guys both claiming to miss me can evoke completely different reactions from me. 
    “What could you possibly be so happy about already?” Maggie asks with a laugh in her tone.
    “Nothing.” 
    “Tell me!” She presses me. I’m upfront about everything with Maggie except Reed. I decide to tell her everything except about my text from Reed.
    “Well, I went to dinner with my mom last night and it was good.”
    “Really?  That’s great!”  She sits up on her bed leaning against the wall facing my bed.
    “Yeah, it was great.  We talked liked we used to and we talked about some more serious stuff too… or well, she did.” 
    “That’s good, it’s progress, right?”
    “Yep, it is.” I’m still hugging my phone to my chest as I roll my legs off the bed and sit on the edge.
    “That’s not why you were squealing though. And why are you hugging your phone? Did you hear from Reed?”
    I don’t respond, but my smile is plastered on my face as I stare down at my bare feet on the floor. I’m happy about the text from Reed. Okay, delighted is more like it, but I don’t know what it means. Even though I know how trustworthy Maggie is I’m still not ready to talk about it.
    “You don’t have to say anything.  I can tell.”  She laughs and smiles at me reassuringly. 
    “I got a text from someone else too…”  I’ve basically just admitted that Reed did text me, but I trust Maggie not to ask more about it. 
    “No?” She asks questioningly.
    “Kyle.”
    “How in the hell did he get your number?  That bastard.”  Anytime Kyle is mentioned its guaranteed Maggie will start cussing.
    “I’m actually handling it way better than I would have thought.  It’s rattled me a little, but not like he used to.  I’m ignoring this one, but if it keeps up then I’ll act on it.”
    “I’m proud of you, Kate.” She gets up and heads towards the bathroom and before she closes the door. “Let’s go get a coffee before we study.”
    “Yep, definitely need a coffee.”
    Once Maggie is in the bathroom I look down at my phone and click on the text that startled my heart more than Kyle’s. I contemplate my response and decide that honesty is still always the best policy… just like mom still says.
Yes, I’d like that. Katherine

    By the time Thursday night rolls around I’m exhausted. I only have my midterm accounting test left tomorrow morning so I head to the library in my gray pea coat and favorite new gloves to meet with my study group.  Rushing through the library doors I bolt up the stairs and skip the elevators all together since I’m a little late.
    When I get to the area that we always meet at I see Andy calling me over to a seat he saved for me next to him. With a smile plastered across his face he pulls the chair out as I approach. Once I sit I scurry through my bag to pull out my book and notes. Andy shows me what problems they are working on and his one arm