Read Online Beautiful Torment by Paige Laurens - Free Book Online Page A

are no bottom cabinets along the far wall, allowing for the counter to act as a desk. He pulls out his cushioned desk chair and offers it to me, before going to the other side of the island and grabbing a stool for himself.
    “About yesterday-”
    “Can we please just forget about it?” He interrupts me.
    That’s the very last thing I want to do, but I nod anyway, trying to mask my disappointment.
    “God you have to make everything so difficult,” he murmurs.
    “Sorry,” I mumble, trying to cheer myself up. I think he’s upset, mad even, but when I look up he’s smiling, leaving me even more confused. “It’s not like you said anything bad,” I state calmly, wanting him to know it’s okay . I pause, waiting for him to say something, and when he doesn’t, I take a deep breath, too anxious not to ask this for myself.
    “I have to know…” It comes out as a whisper. He’s scared by what I’m going to ask, nervous; I can see it in his eyes. He doesn’t stop me though, so I continue. “Did you just say that to try and make me feel better?”
    He’s staring at me, maybe even gazing. I swallow hard and he slowly starts to nod his head no - he didn’t say it just to make me feel better, he meant it .
    The first bell rings, and I take it as my cue to go. I got what I came here for, hell, I got the answer I came here for. The halls will be crowded in no time, but I don’t want to leave.
    “Since you did so poorly on your last quiz,” he clears his throat and bends down, picking up my backpack and handing it to me, “I thought maybe you could use some extra help.”
    “Okay,” I can’t help my smile as I take my bag from him. We both know I don’t need the extra help.
    “Your lunch period is the same as mine?” He places his hands in his pockets.
    “Yes,” I bite my lip answering, remembering running into him yesterday during that time.
    “Good,” he smiles. “So I’ll see you then.”
     
    I buzz though the day, counting down the hours until lunch. I don’t even bother going to the cafeteria, and make some lame excuse to Chloe as to why. I have to stop at my locker before I meet Mr. Harrington, and I see two people going at it from down the hall, praying it’s not my locker they’re locking lips in front of.
    As I get closer, I realize it is. The girl is pinned right up against it, the guy carelessly exploring her mouth with his tongue. It looks like a gross, nasty, sloppy kiss.
    “Hey!” I shout.
    They must have thought I was a teacher, judging by the way they jumped back so quickly, but as soon as I see her face I’m stunned. “Oh my god, Gracie?!”
    “Hi Luci,” she mumbles, and I can’t believe it. I caught my sister making out with… ew, Derek ? He’s such a creep!
    “What are you doing?” I demand.
    “What does it look like we’re doing, buzz off,” the pimple-head demands before laying his hand back on Gracie’s ass.
    Her face is a mix between lust and embarrassment.
    “Hey now,” I shove his hand away.
    “Luci,” Gracie pleads.
    “Get back to class, Gracie,” I command.
    “Who the hell are you?” Pimple-head starts freaking out.
    “Take your hands off my sister , or I will fuck you up,” I pronunciate each word at an unnaturally slow pace.
    “Whatever,” he shrugs, pulling away from her. “Gracie, you’re sister is fucking crazy.”
    “Derek, wait!” Gracie calls, torn between if she should follow him or stay and talk to me.
    I win; he’s already too far away.
    “Luci, I can’t believe you!” She turns back to me, pissed.
    “Gracie, that kid is nasty,” I tell her. “You could do so much better.”
    “It’s none of your business!”
    “Luci?” Mr. Harrington walks up behind me. “Everything okay?” I ignore him, too focused on my little sister.
    “Who are you to judge me?” She shouts. “I hate you, Luci! You don’t even know me, so stay out of my life and leave me alone!”
    I watch as she runs down the hall, stung by her words.
     
    Mr.