Under My Skin by Laura Diamond Read Free Book Online Page A

ago.” Waves of anger crash over me. This is so unfair. I swallow a hard mouthful of fury and almost choke on it.
    “If you did something praise-worthy, I’d praise you,” Dad says.
    “All I am is a big giant mistake, right?” I stare at the chandelier, letting the light burn into my eyes to sear away the swelling tears. “You don’t even want to hear my side, do you?”
    “I’m tired of your lies, Darby. You’re grounded until further notice.” Dad sighs, exhausted from the burden that is Darby.
    I wipe my wet face with my fists. “I’m not lying. If you’d give me a chance to explain.”
    “I don’t need your explanation. Principal Shepherd did a good enough job.” Dad tosses his fork onto his plate with a tinny clatter. “Why can’t you be more like Daniel?”
    His words crush me under a ton of disappointment. It’s out in the open now. There’s no denying it. I’m the parasite twin, the reject.
    I’m out of my seat and in my room before my napkin hits the floor.

Chapter Five
     
    Adam
     
     
    The room I’m assigned to is supposed to hold two patients, but since I’m considered a minor on an adult floor, I won’t get a roommate. It’s well enough, considering Mum and Dad will take turns staying with me. A day watchman and a night watchman.
    Mum watches from her perch on the window ledge that’s at least two feet deep while a nurse’s aide finishes setting up a cot for her. Dad’s settled into the recliner in the opposite corner holding a pile of linens on his lap. They’ll go on the cot once it’s ready. Mum called him after Dr. Jervis’ announcement to let him know what happened. He dashed over after wrapping a few essential things up at work, despite my request not to.
    “I’ll stay here tonight, Dave, and I’ll call in at work tomorrow,” Mum says, her tone efficient and direct.
    Dad nods, crossing his feet at the ankles. “Sounds good. I’ll come right after work. Want me to bring take out?”
    “Sushi, please, dear. Let’s keep it healthy.”
    God, I hate sushi. Guess I’ll have to suffer with whatever the hospital kitchen offers.
    All because of a little wonky beat of my heart, I’m here, chained to a monitor, Mum’s going to sleep on a crappy cot and miss work—plus her weekly reading group—and Dad will be spending his evenings in the hospital instead of at home where he could be managing overseas projects when other researchers are still active.
    Camping out in a hospital room for an unknown amount of time isn’t on their bucket list for me. Suppose I can scribble it in pencil at the bottom.
    I sit in the middle of the hospital bed, with my legs folded. The nurse had insisted I change into a gown, but at least she’d also brought pajama bottoms so I don’t flash anyone. I pick at the silicone dotting the bottom of my hospital-issued gripper socks.
    “You guys don’t have to stay. I’ve got an entire team here and they won’t let anything happen.” I speak with my most authoritative voice, though I’m reassuring myself as much as them.
    “Of course I’m staying, Adam.” Mum slides off the window ledge. She tidies her cot to prove her point, making the tightest hospital corners I’ve ever seen.
    “Mum.”
    “I’m not leaving my son here,” she says. It’s a decree, binding, final.
    Dad stands. The leather of his jacket creaks with his movements. He’s been here for hours, but hasn’t bothered taking off his coat. “I can stop by early in the morning to drop off some fresh clothes.”
    Mum glances at the duffle bag Dad had brought for me, fluffing her pillow obsessively. I can pick her thoughts out of the air. Dad forgot to bring her bag, the brown leather satchel carrying a change of clothes and travel-sized toiletries housed permanently in her closet for emergencies.
    I stare at the ceiling. My gaze trails from the antennae picking up my telemetry signal to a metal track cutting the room in half. The curtain affixed to it is tucked between two