This Ordinary Life by Jennifer Walkup Read Free Book Online Page A

bites her lip. Frankie doesn’t like to say bad stuff about my mom, but she knows me better than anyone so she knows what’s up. Frankie has known me since before my dad left even, so she remembers Mom before she was like this. Sometimes I think she feels the brunt of Mom’s demise almost as much as I do.
    â€œI know, I know. I miss two days and now have to leave early. Not only that, but Hudson was going to try and conference me in to a call with WYN60 about the internship.” I sigh.
    â€œOh my God, you can’t miss—”
    â€œI’ll tell her to move it,” I say. “It’s for Danny.”
    She nods solemnly and looks out across the courtyard. More people spill onto the lawn, groups gathered in clumps on the grass and tables, laughing, joking, having fun in the admittedly perfect day. But of course I can’t enjoy a second of it.
    Even though Sebastian and freshman girl are behind me, their presence burns into my back like some kind of laser beam of misery. It’s not even that I want to be the one giggling on his lap and looking up into his eyes, because I don’t. Even with my hurt feelings and squashed perceptions of what my relationship actually was, I can say honestly that I do not want him. I just wantnone of it to have happened. My heart is tattered and flapping in my very empty, endless cavern of a chest.
    I squint into the sun and breathe as deeply as I can. Things will turn around soon. I know it.

6
    A VOIDING S EBASTIAN GETS easier as the days and weeks pass. We still have our one class together, but I sit in the front row and pretend he doesn’t exist. I have no idea if he’s still seeing what’s her name, but I try to ignore the mere existence of my ex-boyfriend. Okay, ignore isn’t quite the right word considering the gashes on my heart feel like they are just starting to scab. But I’m doing a good impression of not caring and finding other stuff to think about.
    It’s not all that hard to distract myself. I’m caught up in waiting for Ms. Hudson to come through with the radio interview. Since Mom made me miss my chance at the after school phone interview, Ms. Hudson has not been able to find a good time that works for the producer to talk with me. I went ahead and applied for it and sent in my preliminary broadcast clips, but it’s been two weeks since my should-have-been field trip and I’m no closer to getting my foot in the door at WYN60. It would be one thing if any of the other internships I applied for had even responded, but at this late stage in the game I’m pretty sure no news means bad news. Ms. Hudson and her connections are pretty much my only hope. Plus, come on, it’s WYN60.
    I’m in my second-to-last period when I get called to the office. By the time I get downstairs my palms are sweaty and my breathing comes in short spurts. It’s been a few weeks and, I realize now, I’ve begun to let my guard down.
    Please let Danny be okay.
    The secretary at the front desk smiles at me. “Hello, Jasmine. Your mom left a phone message for you. No emergency, dear.”
    Even with her kind words, I can’t turn off my racing fear, and I take the paper with shaking fingers.
    I exhale as I read Mom’s note. She’s excusing me to leave early once again, to get home for Danny. She got called into work and I need to take him to his follow up at the neurologist.
    Annoying how she thinks I can leave school whenever her schedule demands it. But at least Danny is okay.
    And besides, silver lining, at least she’s leaving me her car for the afternoon. I tuck the note into my pocket just as my cell phone buzzes. I duck into the bathroom to look at it. The cell phone rules aren’t as strict in the hall as they are in class, but I don’t want to take a chance so near the main office.
    It’s a text from Ms. Hudson.
    Good news! Call with WYN60 tomorrow morning. Can you come to school