Read Online Here by Denise Grover Swank - Free Book Online

few minutes before noon, Mom and I pull up to the front of the library. “How do you plan to call me when you’re done?”
    “
I guess I’ll find a pay phone or ask the librarian if I can use theirs.” I start to get out of the car.
    Mom touches on my arm. “Julia, wait.” She digs in her purse and pulls out a cell phone then hands it to me. “Your old phone was lost in the accident, but we got you a new one and I’ve been holding onto it. If you’re going to start… doing things again, I’d feel better knowing I can reach you.”
    A lump lodges in my throat. It’s just a stupid cell phone. “Thanks, Mom.”
    She rubs my arm. “I love you.”
    Blinking back tears, I say over my shoulder, “I love you, too.”
    The library is crowded when I enter, but I find an empty table close to the windows. The library overlooks a wooded area. The thinning leaves are lit up in brilliant oranges, reds and yellows.
    Trig seems the best place to start since I’m so far behind. The fact Evan might show up to help me is an added incentive. I make it through one assignment and halfway through another when he slides into the chair next to me.
    “
Started without me, I see.”
    A smile spreads across my face. “Well, I had some work to catch up on after watching all those Lifetime movies last night.”
    He looks confused. “Lifetime?”
    I roll my eyes. “I know you’re a guy but most guys have heard of Lifetime. And for the record, I didn’t really.”
    “Really what?
    “
Watch Lifetime. I’m not a Lifetime kind of girl.” Our conversation from last night rushes into my memory. Maybe the key to figuring out who I am is to not think about it too much.
    “
So what did you end up watching?”
    “
A wedding dress show.”
    He laughs and tosses his backpack on the table. “All right then, don’t tell me. How far have you gotten?”
    “
I’m on the second assignment. Twenty more to go.”
    He pulls his textbook out of his backpack and stops to stare out the window. “The colors are so… amazing.”
    I glance up. “Oh, the trees. Yeah, I guess so.”
    I expect him to start working, but he remains frozen. “Are they always this beautiful?” He asks, his eyes wide in awe.
    “
The trees? They’re the same trees every year."
    “
They’re like this every year?” Disbelief drenches his words.
    "You act like you’ve never seen fall leaves before."
    He snaps out of his daze and smiles, but it looks forced. "Of course, I’ve seen leaves before. I just haven’t seen them here."
    "They’re the same everywhere. Besides, are you telling me you don’t ever come to the library?"
    His mouth lifts into a mischievous grin. “Nah, I’m not a library kind of guy.”
    “
Could have fooled me. You seem to be spending a lot of time in them lately. So what kind of guy are you?”
    He half-shrugs. “I don’t know, just a guy.”
    “
Nope, that’s not good enough.” My playfulness catches me off guard, but I go with it. “Let’s play a game. You say the first word that comes to mind about yourself when I say go .”
    “
Ok-ay.” He draws the word out as though he’s still undecided.
    “
One word about you. Go.”
    “
Humble.”
    I laugh out loud and library patrons eye us with suspicion. “No, seriously,” I lean my head closer to his and say in a hushed tone. “I answered you last night. It’s only fair you answer me.”
    He tries to look serious but smirks. “Okay. I’ll do my best.”
    “
Close your eyes this time. Maybe it’ll help.”
    His eyelids sink closed and the right side of his mouth forms a lopsided grin.
    “
First word about you. Go.”
    “
Driven.”
    I smile. His answer is no surprise. “Was that so hard?”
    “
Can I open my eyes now?”
    “
No, one more.” I’m amazed to be this close to him and take advantage of the opportunity to study his face. His dark eyelashes are striking against his pale skin. A small scar crosses the bridge of his nose and stubble is scattered across his