Read Online Anywhere But Here by Stephanie Hoffman McManus - Free Book Online
Authors: Stephanie Hoffman McManus
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made, you countered with sexual innuendo. I wouldn’t have pegged you for a Homer or even a Joyce fan. If I had to guess, I would say that along with Vonnegut– Kerouac, Palahniuk and Cormac McCarthy were more you style. Maybe Hunter Thompson, but I also have no doubt that you could pull some Dostoevsky reference out of your ass.”
I was shocked, not only because she knew who Hunter Thompson was, but because she was right. I thought Homer was boring as shit and James Joyce was long-winded and his work overstated. I’d been forced to read The Odyssey last year, and then had decided to pick up Ulysses after my teacher made reference to it as a modern narrative following Homer’s character’s experiences. Stream of consciousness, more like stream-of-bullshit.
“So are you a fan of Hunter Thompson, or are you just trying to impress me now with your ability to pull references out of your ass?”
She sighed. “Neither. You mentioned Slaughterhouse Five , so I looked up similar books I thought we both might actually be able to get interested in.”
My brow pulled into a frown. “You were trying to pick something that would interest me?” Why would she do that?
“Shaeleigh!”
We both turned our heads to see Jeremy barreling toward us, his usual scowl in place. “What are you doing? Why’d you take off after him?”
Without pause, she held up the notebook she hadn’t had time to tuck away in her backpack. “He forgot his notes in class and then we were discussing our project. We still haven’t made a choice yet and we need to get started on the plot and character analyses.” The partial lie flowed smoothly from her lips.
“His notes?” Jeremy looked skeptically at the notebook. I tried not to smirk. We all knew I didn’t take notes.
“Mmhmm,” she replied, almost convincingly and then shoved the notebook at me. I had no choice but to take it.
“Right, thanks for bringing me my notes, Shae. I’m sure you’re right and Pride and Prejudice won’t be nearly as boring as I think. See you both in gym class.” I winked at Shae and gave Jeremy the one-finger salute before leaving the two of them standing there.
“Shae? Since when do you go by Shae?” Golden Boy asked her. I didn’t hear her response and didn’t care.
Eight
Nash
September 6
Senior year . . .
Derek was waiting for me outside the cafeteria, talking to our buddy Jeff and his girlfriend Sam. Derek lifted his chin when he saw me. “Taco Bell today, man?”
“Nah, you guys go ahead. I’m going to stick around here today,” I told them.
“You sure?”
“Yeah. I’ll see you guys later.” I’d given the few bucks I had to Trin to make sure she got lunch today. I knew D would buy if I asked, but I hated having to tell him I was broke because my asshole older brother pissed away his money on God knows what again, and what I made helping out at D’s dad’s restaurant had to keep our fucking lights and water on. D would tell his dad and then money for hours I didn’t work would show up on my paycheck. I didn’t want to be a charity case. I’d pick up an additional shift one night this week, and I could eat on my shift tonight.
With nothing better to do, I passed up the crowded cafeteria and opted to waste my lunch period outside. When the weather allowed, a large part of the student body that didn’t leave campus, congregated outdoors. There was a vacant spot under an elm tree around the side of the building. Digging out my sketchpad and pencils, I headed for the spot in the grass, but stopped short when I saw my tiny, blonde partner sitting up against the side of the building. Looked like she had earbuds in while she ate her home packed lunch. I was curious what the princess listened to. Miley? Bieber? Beyonce? She was probably a T Swift girl, but what was she doing sitting outside by herself?
Trading my sketchpad for her notebook, I changed directions and brought myself to stand over her. My shadow engulfed
I was shocked, not only because she knew who Hunter Thompson was, but because she was right. I thought Homer was boring as shit and James Joyce was long-winded and his work overstated. I’d been forced to read The Odyssey last year, and then had decided to pick up Ulysses after my teacher made reference to it as a modern narrative following Homer’s character’s experiences. Stream of consciousness, more like stream-of-bullshit.
“So are you a fan of Hunter Thompson, or are you just trying to impress me now with your ability to pull references out of your ass?”
She sighed. “Neither. You mentioned Slaughterhouse Five , so I looked up similar books I thought we both might actually be able to get interested in.”
My brow pulled into a frown. “You were trying to pick something that would interest me?” Why would she do that?
“Shaeleigh!”
We both turned our heads to see Jeremy barreling toward us, his usual scowl in place. “What are you doing? Why’d you take off after him?”
Without pause, she held up the notebook she hadn’t had time to tuck away in her backpack. “He forgot his notes in class and then we were discussing our project. We still haven’t made a choice yet and we need to get started on the plot and character analyses.” The partial lie flowed smoothly from her lips.
“His notes?” Jeremy looked skeptically at the notebook. I tried not to smirk. We all knew I didn’t take notes.
“Mmhmm,” she replied, almost convincingly and then shoved the notebook at me. I had no choice but to take it.
“Right, thanks for bringing me my notes, Shae. I’m sure you’re right and Pride and Prejudice won’t be nearly as boring as I think. See you both in gym class.” I winked at Shae and gave Jeremy the one-finger salute before leaving the two of them standing there.
“Shae? Since when do you go by Shae?” Golden Boy asked her. I didn’t hear her response and didn’t care.
Eight
Nash
September 6
Senior year . . .
Derek was waiting for me outside the cafeteria, talking to our buddy Jeff and his girlfriend Sam. Derek lifted his chin when he saw me. “Taco Bell today, man?”
“Nah, you guys go ahead. I’m going to stick around here today,” I told them.
“You sure?”
“Yeah. I’ll see you guys later.” I’d given the few bucks I had to Trin to make sure she got lunch today. I knew D would buy if I asked, but I hated having to tell him I was broke because my asshole older brother pissed away his money on God knows what again, and what I made helping out at D’s dad’s restaurant had to keep our fucking lights and water on. D would tell his dad and then money for hours I didn’t work would show up on my paycheck. I didn’t want to be a charity case. I’d pick up an additional shift one night this week, and I could eat on my shift tonight.
With nothing better to do, I passed up the crowded cafeteria and opted to waste my lunch period outside. When the weather allowed, a large part of the student body that didn’t leave campus, congregated outdoors. There was a vacant spot under an elm tree around the side of the building. Digging out my sketchpad and pencils, I headed for the spot in the grass, but stopped short when I saw my tiny, blonde partner sitting up against the side of the building. Looked like she had earbuds in while she ate her home packed lunch. I was curious what the princess listened to. Miley? Bieber? Beyonce? She was probably a T Swift girl, but what was she doing sitting outside by herself?
Trading my sketchpad for her notebook, I changed directions and brought myself to stand over her. My shadow engulfed
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