Read Online Discovering April by Sheena Hutchinson - Free Book Online Page A

ride through the middle of nowhere and tried to kill me with mud, so I’d hate to see what you do to someone who stands you up.”
    He laughs before throwing me his extra helmet.
    “We’re going to school together ?” I blurt out without thinking. I don’t know why in all my overanalyzing last night this didn’t come to mind.
    “I prefer carpooling. We are going to the same places…” He looks at me like I have three heads.
    It’s not that big a deal; in fact, I don’t know why I even mentioned it. Maybe it was anxiety of being seen in public on the back of Jared’s motorcycle in front of the school. Actually, that sounds like a great idea; I’d love to watch Hunter’s face.
    “I just didn’t think about it, I guess...” I mutter, strapping my helmet on. I walk over and climb onto the bike behind him. It’s kind of awkward with my backpack on.
    By the time we pull up to Jack’s Coffee Bean, all excitement is lost and anxiety begins to set in. The college kids like to hang out here before school sometimes, and I wonder if maybe Hunter will be here. Jared pulls into a spot right in front and I scramble off. My hands find their way into my pockets to hide the fact that they are trembling.
    The door chimes as Jared holds it open for me and my heart flutters around in my chest as I take a step inside. The shop has only a few customers and none of them I recognize, except one: Sera with an E. Jack hasn’t taken his eyes from her to greet anyone else. Her red hair is pulled back into a bun and her little dress is flared out at the waist, flattering her curves perfectly. She is strikingly beautiful and I hate her! I mean, not just because of the fact that she’s like perfect, but the way she comes in and flirts with Jack, never making more than polite conversation. It’s like watching middle-schoolers date. It’s ridiculous and it makes me sick.
    “See you, Sera. Have fun at work!” Jack calls.
    I roll my eyes. He sounds so pathetic. She walks past me, sipping her latte and smiling a stupid, lovesick smile, her keys dangling free from her purse. I watch her exit the shop and walk out to her car, the white sedan parked in front of Jared’s motorcycle. The only thing that wakes me out of my trance is when I hear Jared ordering. My mind whips back to the here and now when I recognize my very unique, very specific coffee order being placed.
    “Ah, we call that the April-special!” Jack winks at me before turning around and beginning my triple caf-one pump hazelnut, no foam latte. Not having the words, I look back to Jared who seems confident, sure of himself. How does he know how I like my coffee?
    “Do you want a bagel or something?” Jared asks and I suddenly remember how to speak.
    “Uh, I’ll get a muffin,” I mumble, turning my gaze toward Jack’s back.
    Jack turns around, handing me my coffee and a blueberry muffin before grabbing Jared a coffee and telling us it’s on the house. So, I guess I still don’t know if this is a date. Determining who pays is generally one of the ways you can tell. Geez, I haven’t done this dating thing in a while; I need like a manual or something.
    Jared directs me out of the shop and over to the little table out front where he takes a seat. I look around one more time before taking a seat in the chair beside him. The silence between us grows and becomes slightly uncomfortable, so I keep taking sips of coffee to busy myself. My eyes glance around every once in a while to watch the townspeople get ready for another day.
    Jared finally breaks the silence. “How’s the coffee?”
    “Mmm, my favorite,” I murmur with my lips against the lid of the cup, preparing for yet another sip.
    He smiles. “So what’s on the agenda for today?” He’s trying again to loop me into conversation.
    “Oh, a very exciting day.” I lean back against the chair and roll my eyes, “First up—we have English 230, followed by a very exciting art history class, where they turn the