The Secret Society of the Pink Crystal Ball by Risa Green Read Free Book Online

and the shoes and the earring. Soon he was hanging out with this whole new group of artsy/punk rock kids, and we just sort of stopped talking. I mean, yes, it was weird in the beginning, because we had been really good friends, and then we just weren’t. And to be honest, I was angry at him for not opening up to me. There he was, three months after the most tragic event of his life, spending time with all of these kids he’s never even talked to before, and he doesn’t even call me? So we went our separate ways, and that was that. Or at least, it was, until Mr. Wallace took it upon himself to force us back together again.
    Like I said, this trip is going to be the end of me.
    ***
    Jesse is waiting for me in the hallway when class is over.
    â€œSo, cool topic, huh?” he asks in an impossible-to-read tone.
    On our way out, Mr. Wallace handed us all papers with our topics on them. Ours is to look at one work of art from each of three different time periods and to discuss how spirituality is represented in each. I’m not sure that I would describe it as “cool,” though. Spirituality isn’t exactly my thing. But I’m also not sure if Jesse is being sarcastic or serious, so I don’t answer him.
    Maya Franklin walks over to us, and she’s giving me the evil eye. Now what did I do? I wonder.
    â€œSorry we’re not partners, Jesse,” she says. “I think we would’ve made a good team.” Wait a second, is she flirting with him? Does Maya Franklin have a thing for Jesse Cooper? Ew. Just thinking about her liking a boy gives me the creeps, let alone thinking about her liking Jesse Cooper.
    â€œUm, yeah,” Jesse says, looking confused. “Good luck, I guess.”
    Maya flashes a fake smile at me and walks away. Weird.
    â€œ Anyway ,” I say, choosing not to comment on the bizarreness of that exchange, “we don’t have a lot of time, so we should figure out a schedule for going to the museum.”
    He thinks for a second. “You know, they’re open late on Thursday nights. Do you think you could go tonight? Like, around 6:30?”
    Wow . He really has changed. The Jesse I knew was a total procrastinator. There’s nothing I’m supposed to do tonight—aside from some science and math homework, my schedule is wide open. I think of Samantha and Lindsay’s note again. My life is boring, isn’t it?
    â€œSure, I can go tonight,” I say. I notice that he has a small tattoo on the inside of his left wrist—though from this distance I can’t quite make out what it is. My mind starts racing with questions. When did he decide to commit so permanently to this look of his? Does he think that this is at all weird, because he’s acting like we were never good friends and then not friends? Why does he act like that kiss in the closet never even happened? Maybe he’s had so many kisses since then that he doesn’t even remember?
    â€œGreat,” he says. “I’ll see you then.” He chews his bottom lip, and staring at those lips, I feel my face get hot. I turn away before he sees me and think for the hundredth time in a very short while: God, I am so lame.

Nine
    Thanks to Jesse, I had almost forgotten about the box.
    When I arrive home from school today I’m surprised for a second to see it there, sitting on my desk.
    I glance at my watch. Lindsay and Samantha are going to be here any minute. Normally, I would wait for them and make them open it with me, but there’s just something about the way Roni said those words— it was very important to Kate that you not open it until you’re alone —that makes me think I should do as she said.
    Moving quickly, I slit the packing tape open with my house key. I don’t know what I’m expecting, exactly. Pictures? Letters? Some sort of explanation? My stomach flutters nervously and I hold my breath as I pull open the top flaps and look