The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller by L. B. Simmons Read Free Book Online Page B

Quinn’s resolve never falters either and between the both of them, I’m losing my mind. Partly because their tenacity won’t let me just be . But mostly, it stems from the constant confusion warring in my mind when subjected to their repeated attempts. Because the fact of the matter is, I actually want to answer them, to let down my manufactured walls and allow them into my highly dysfunctional, warped mind.
    And that scares me shitless.
    So instead of offering actual answers, I give them only monosyllabic and/or elusive responses, often in the form of a returned question. For example, Successful Evasion Number One by Quinn Matthews, approximately one month ago. Here’s the conversation between Quinn and me:
    Quinn (as we eat Ramen Noodles in our room): “Do you guys know each other?”
    Me: “Who?”
    Q: “You and Kaeleb?”
    Me: (Full facial flush accompanied by throat clearing) “Who?”
    Q: “Kaeleb. You guys just seem really comfortable. Well, not comfortable, but familiar. With your banter and how you seem to just get under each other’s skin. It just seems like you know each other.”
    Me: “Huh. Weird. How was class?”
    Successful Evasion Number Two, approximately three weeks ago. Brought to you by Kaeleb McMadden on our way to class:
    Kaeleb: “ So, Raven , what’s your story?”
    Me: “Um, story?”
    K: “Yes, Raven . Please shed some light on the enigma that is you.”
    Me: (Sighs inwardly) “Why do you keep saying my name like that?”
    K: “What? Like, Raven ?”
    Me: “Yes. Like, Raven .”
    K: (Shrugs shoulders) “I don’t know. I guess I just find it an interesting choice for a name. Obvious symbolism and all. It’s almost as though it was prophetic in nature.”
    Me: (Narrows glare and smirks) “Can you please stop saying it that way? It’s getting on my nerves. You are getting on my nerves.”
    K: (Chuckles lightly under breath) “As you wish… Raven .”
    Me: (Internal blood-curdling scream as I increase my pace and distance)
    (Loud cackling from fifteen feet behind me)
    Successful Evasion Number Three, about a week ago. Tag team, and quite possibly the worst, attempt by Quinn Matthews and Kaeleb McMadden in our dorm room:
    Kaeleb: “Seriously, Raven , I have to ask what’s up with the contacts?”
    Quinn: “Yeah, I mean, I like the purple today, but why do you always wear them?”
    (Both stare expectantly)
    Kaeleb: (Clasps hands together and points at Quinn)“Dude! She should get some zombie ones. Those would be so fucking cool.” (Deposits quarter into the jar)
    Quinn: “O-M-G! YES! Or those ones that are completely black with no iris!”
    Kaeleb: “Like I said, zombie.”
    Quinn: “No, totally black ones would be like a demon or something. Zombie ones would be like, you know, grey and cloudy looking. Like my grandpa’s.” (Glances back at me) “He has cataracts.”
    Kaeleb: “Are you sure?” (Pulls out phone)
    Quinn: “Yes! It’s really creepy. It makes my eyes water when I look at him.”
    Kaeleb: (Laughs) Kinda like when I look at Raven’s cat-eyes.”
    Me: (Sighs and picks up backpack to head to the library) “You guys really need to get a life.”
    And for the finale, a compilation of questions dodged over the last four weeks (I’ll let you guess who said what):
    “What color is your hair naturally?”
    “What are your parent’s names? What do they do?”
    “Do you ever do anything but scowl?”
    “Do you have any pets?” (Sigh…Walter.)
    “Do you have a boyfriend?”
    “Have you ever had a boyfriend?”
    “Are you a virgin?”
    “Do you have any siblings?”
    “What are your hobbies?”
    “Who is Linda to you?”
    “Where did you go to high school?”
    “Did you play sports?”
    “Do you own anything other than baggy pants, concert shirts, and Docs?”
    “So, no tight-ass mini-dresses?”
    And this has been the hell I have had to endure since school started.
    So, needless to say, when waking up this morning to “Raven, seriously, what