Read Online Charisma by Jeanne Ryan - Free Book Online

family bringing me along for their vacation to Indonesia when we graduated from middle school could’ve ruined my chances for this. I say, “The only thing luckier would be if Charisma came in a capsule instead of an injection.”
    She traces her lower lip line with a manicured fingernail. “Well, someday, I dream of mass producing a version that’s sold over the counter—perhaps a powder you could inhale to bypass the blood-brain barrier. It could come in bright yellow packets with pink hearts stamped on them. What do you think?” She gives me a wink that makes me wonder if this last part is a joke meant to put me at ease.
    My mouth can’t bring itself to laugh, though. I follow Dr. Sternfield to a door that she unlocks with another code, leading to a small room. Inside, she has me take a seat while she washes and gloves up. From a small steel cabinet, she takes out a large syringe.
    â€œI know it’s intimidating, but if it makes you feel better, I’ve injected myself with needles even larger. Two seconds of pain for a lifetime of gain.”
    She wipes my upper arm with an alcohol pad and in the promised two seconds injects the treatment. With deft movements, she pops a little bandage on my arm. I could swear I feel the contents of the syringe flow up my arm. Even though I can hardly wait not to be shy, a tight panic fills my chest. Oh, wow, I’ve really done this.
    She pulls off her gloves. “If you feel panicky, take deep breaths. And if you need to talk to someone, you’ve got something I only give to very few people—my personal phone number. Use it, okay? We’re going to change the world, you and me.”
    I stare at the tiny bandage that covers so much. “I just want to change myself.”
    â€œFair enough. Now, how about we go upstairs and see if they still have anything with truffles left?”
    We don’t say another word as we leave the room. I rub my arm, wondering what sizzles just below the skin, running rampant through my arteries. Could I rip off the bandage and suck it out like snake venom? How long before it starts affecting me? A day? A week? These are questions I should ask Dr. Sternfield, but now that the deed is done, I can’t bring myself to speak to her, standing only a foot away in the elevator and wearing a satisfied expression.
    Before hurrying off, she whispers, “Remember, not a word about the Charisma or Sammy’s clinical trial to anyone, okay?”
    I stammer my agreement and she’s gone. A nagging in my brain says I should’ve demanded more details. Well, soon, hopefully, I won’t be afraid to speak up ever again. My future now seems so much wider, waiting to be filled with opportunities, freedom, and maybe even Jack, if I can repair the damage of last night. I stroll to the cafeteria with a light step. But I still lack the courage to join Chloe, Shane, and the others laughing around a long table.
    For what I hope is the last time, I sneak off to a corner to eat alone.
    As I savor grilled salmon and asparagus, no geoducks for me, thank you, I take advantage of finally having phone reception. Evie texted again, with more detail. She and Rafe kissed “like crazy” after the party. Of course, I’m thrilled for her, but even more intrigued by the rest of her message—Jack couldn’t understand why I left early. Once she told him I had, he left too.
    Really? If only I hadn’t jumped to conclusions and freaked out about Alexandra. Now he’ll think I’m a total flake. Well, he probably already did after the beer incident. Before I can call Evie to find out more, Sally Sims announces we have two minutes to get to our next activity. Bleh. If I had the secret access codes for the lab downstairs, I’d hide out with Ruby instead.
    I chomp down the rest of my lunch, make my way to the Watson and Crick conference room, and take my place in a circle of chairs. Rosa rushes in at