Read Online Adrenaline Crush by Laurie Boyle Crompton - Free Book Online Page B

Mom. I think I’ll pace myself on getting excited.”
    Harley says, “You must be jonesing for a good climb by now.”
    I shoot pickaxes at him with my eyes, but he just gestures to the sandwich I’m cutting. “You planning to eat that?”
    With a sigh I announce I’m going to eat in front of the TV.
    â€œDon’t forget to take your vitamins.” Mom shakes a baggie filled with large brown and tan capsules. Harley walks haltingly from the kitchen with a bemused expression on his face, but Mom’s concern stays focused solely on me.
    *   *   *
    An hour later I climb into bed and pick up Into the Wild . I’m completely rooting for Alexander Supertramp at this point, despite the fact that I know he’s going to die.
    Reading through heavy lids I come across a postcard Krakauer has quoted that Alex sent to friends in North Dakota. It says: Hey Guys! This is the last communication you shall receive from me. I now walk out to live amongst the wild. Take care, it was great knowing you. Alexander.
    I picture Alex filled with giddy anticipation as he forged his own way in the world. Living his life completely on his terms. Diving headfirst into the wilderness.
    Closing the book, I slide my thumb along my inner wrist. I’ve always imagined words tattooed there. Not all who wander are lost . They fade in my mind as I toss the book on my nightstand and turn off the lamp.
    When I shut my eyes I see myself
    hurtling toward the water again.
    Too fast.
    Flipping the light back on, I bury my head halfway under my pillow and try to block out the scene Miss seems obsessed with having me remember. No matter what she thinks, it must be possible to have a perfectly normal life after a trauma without sharing every nuance of feeling with a roomful of strangers.
    I shove my thoughts under the bed, but it takes me over an hour to fall into a dreamless sleep.

 
    9
    â€œWhat’s the deal with Whitebread sneaking around here when I’m not home?” Dad greets me when I come down for breakfast. Mom and Harley both love sleeping in, so mornings are sort of our thing.
    â€œGood morning to you, too,” I say mock-sweetly while clutching the kitchen counter. I grimace at the soreness in my legs as I hop toward the fridge.
    â€œSorry, Dyna.” Dad feigns chipperness. “Good morning, sweetheart!” His voice drops back to his usual baritone. “Now, what’s with Whitebread—”
    â€œFine. Fine,” I cut him off as I slide the milk onto the table. “Jay’s not sneaking around. And maybe he wouldn’t avoid you if you didn’t work so hard at intimidating him.”
    â€œMy job.” Dad shrugs.
    â€œThere’s nothing wrong with me hanging out here with my boyfriend .” I emphasize the word just to watch Dad’s eye twitch. “It’s not like I can do any of my usual summertime activities.” I stretch to grasp a box of cereal in the pantry.
    â€œYou want me to make you some eggs?” Dad offers.
    I shake my head. “No thanks.” Dad cooks amazing omelets, but I’m really hungry and if I let him get started, I may starve to death waiting for one of his culinary masterpieces.
    â€œSo, let’s talk about this do-it-yourself education of yours,” he says, as I pour cereal into my bowl on the counter. “Are you sure you can handle all that work on your own?”
    â€œHomeschooling’s going to be a piece of cake.” Dad’s nostrils flare out and I immediately realize this was the wrong thing to say.
    â€œThat’s what you want your education to be? A ‘piece of cake’?”
    â€œNo, it’s not like that.” I try to backtrack. “Dad, there’s all sorts of research showing how homeschooled kids are high achievers. Besides…” I clutch the bowl to my chest and walk my hand along the counter toward the table. “You saw how great Harley