When I'm Gone by Katilyn S Read Free Book Online

with a pen .
“You need to fill out these forms before you leave,” she said with a apologetic smile. I shrugged and took them from her. She pointed to a cluster of chairs in the opposite corner from her. I smiled graciously and walked over there.
I sank down into one of the chairs and set the stack of papers on my lap. As I started to fill them out, I let my mind wander.
Michael Herring.
The name entered my mind and I tried to immediately push it back out. However, it stayed there, branded in my mind like a stupid jingle.
“Stupid fire fighter. Stupid rescue. Stupid roses,” I muttered angrily. I found myself pressing down with the pen harder than necessary. Relaxing my grip, I tried to continue writing, slowly and with better composure.
Michael’s bright hazel eyes came back to me, full force. Groaning inwardly, I let myself think about how much I despised that man.
I doubt that his station really visits every person they rescue, I thought to myself. He just wanted an excuse. He is probably a big jerk who messes around with girls before throwing them away like a used tissue. God, how I hate him. Although, I haven’t heard from him a five days. Maybe he decided I wasn’t worth it.
Yeah right, another part of my mind argued.
He was cute, though. He had that whole ‘bum’ look going to him. Shaggy, black hair. A hint of a beard on his chin. The crumpled clothes.
I sighed and tried to push these thoughts from my mind.
“Why do I care so much?” I asked myself. “It’s not like I like him.”
I shuddered violently at the thought. As I started to finish up the application I heard Mrs. Trinity talking to someone on the phone. Careful as not to be obvious, I slowed my writing, wanting to eavesdrop.
“Yes Mikey ,” Mrs. Trinity contiued . I saw her smile into the phone. Pausing, she looked at me and I shot my eyes down, blood pooling in my cheeks.
The ‘ Mikey ’ on the other end said a few things and she laughed .
“Actually, you will never believe what happened today?” Her voice rose a notch and excitement masked her usually flat tone. I stood up and walked towards her. She smiled at me and gestured for me to wait a few minutes. “I sold the apartment today. You know? 2B?”
A low voice on the other end was also excited and I could tell it was a man’s low tone. Mrs. Trinity glanced at me again with another smile.
“Yes. Her name is Claire...” she trailed off and confusion masked her face .
“Barnes,” I offered and shrugged.
“Claire Barnes,” she told Mikey and he said a quick reply. “Okay Mikey . Uh-huh. Okay. Bye-bye.”
She hung up the phone and held out her hand. I gave her the application forms and frowned.
“When do you want me and my brother to move in? I really need to get everything here before the seventh. That’s when school starts for both of us,” I explained quickly. She nodded and tucked away the papers in a manila folder.
“Whenever you want is fine with me. Another one of the tenants, Mikey , said that if you needed it, he would help you move in. He is strong and really good looking.” I smiled at her and laughed.
“Mrs. Trinity-”
“Oh, please call me Joy,” she said.
“Okay then,” I started. “Joy, I have only known you for about two hours now and you are already trying to set me up?”
“Don’t be silly,” she scolded, but I could see a little twinkle in her eye. I stared at her while she gave me an innocent smile.
“Well, I will be back tomorrow to start moving in. Tell Mikey to be ready out front at 11 tomorrow morning,” I said and hitched my purse higher on my shoulder.
“Okay, bye Claire,” she called out as I walked out the door and into the blinding light.
------------------------------------------
“Claire, you will not believe this,” Alex shouted as he ran into his room. I was seated on the floor packing his things into boxes once again. I looked up and saw him clutching a packet of paper in his hand.
“I’m pretty