Read Online Crush by Stefan Petrucha - Free Book Online Page A

could pull it into my PDA, and that would totally help.”
    A knot formed in Jonathan’s throat. He hadn’t transferred any information to his computer. It was all handwritten. Besides, he had no idea if he’d beable to get online at home. His mother might be in a mood. Plus he had to work.
    â€œI…uh,” he muttered. “I just have the handwritten ones.”
    Emma’s smile faltered a bit. A cloud of disappointment passed over her brow. “Well, that’s okay.”
    â€œI could make some copies in the library and get them to you later.”
    â€œJonathan,” Emma said with a laugh, “you’re doing me the favor by letting me use your notes. I’m not going to put you through the lameness of sharing your lunch period with a Xerox machine. I can copy them and get them back to you fifth period, if that’s okay?”
    â€œSure,” he said, handing her the notebook with his lit notes. “No problem.”
    â€œYou’re the best,” Emma said, placing her hand on Jonathan’s shoulder. “I owe you a coffee or ten .”
    Then she was rushing away. Jonathan watched her go, dazed. She was so nice. God, she was just so amazing. He leaned back against the lockers and breathed deeply, hardly noticing the throng of kids passing him in the hall on the way to their first period classes.
    Was she serious about coffee? he wondered. No way! he thought, absolutely ecstatic about the idea.
    â€œWell, you’re in a good mood,” Kirsty Sabine said with a smile, as she veered out of the river of kids to meet Jonathan at his locker.
    â€œJust having a better-than-normal day.”
    â€œNothing wrong with that,” she said. “Me too, in fact.”
    â€œThat’s cool.”
    â€œThanks for the coffee the other night. I know I already said it, but you and David were really nice to let me join you. I don’t know too many people here, and there isn’t exactly a line of kids looking for new friends.”
    â€œI know the feeling. I’m glad you could join us.”
    â€œDavid’s really cool.”
    â€œHe’s a good guy,” Jonathan agreed.
    â€œAre you ready for that test tomorrow?”
    â€œPretty much. I studied last night because I’ve got work tonight. What about you?”
    â€œI guess. I never do well on tests. I get all dorky and forget everything.” Kirsty paused like she wanted to say something else but didn’t know how to. Then she smiled and shook her head. “Are you headed to class?” she finally asked.
    â€œYeah,” he said, still buzzing from his conversation with Emma O’Neil. “I guess.”
    â€œWell, why don’t you walk with me and tell me about David?”
    â€œWhat do you want to know about David?” Jonathan asked, very pleased to hear the coyness in her voice.
    â€œI don’t know. Just stuff.”
    â€œI can tell you plenty of stuff ,” Jonathan said, starting into the flow of students. Kirsty followed, clutching her books to her chest, her head cocked toward Jonathan as he prepared to fill her in on David.
    Â 
    The librarian, Mrs. Vierra, found Emma O’Neil’s body at the end of fourth period. The elderly librarian, her hair a tight brush of white, had been stacking books and heard a scream and then a clatter in the stairwell. Panicked, she ran onto the landing and looked down to find Emma sprawled below. The books she was carrying, including Jonathan’s notebook, were scattered along the stairway. Mrs. Vierra dialed 911 as she raced down the stairs. She knelt by the girl and searched for a pulse but found nothing.
    She cast her cell phone aside and began to perform CPR. One minute later, Emma was breathing on her own, though she remained unconscious.
    Jonathan heard all of this during fifth period, while he waited for Emma to return his notebook. He’d seen the ambulance outside, heard the kids mumbling their