Read Online I'm With Cupid by Anna Staniszewski - Free Book Online Page B

a little finger wave and then hurried away, giggling to herself.
    Lena was relieved to see her disappear down the hall. “Come on,” she told Marcus. “Let’s go to the auditorium.”
    â€œWait, I have something for you.” He dug around in his backpack and pulled out a wilted rose, the end of its stem covered with aluminum foil. Then he held it out to her. “I wrapped the bottom in a paper towel, so if you rewet it later today, it should be fine until you bring it home.”
    Lena stared at the rose for a long moment. Even though its petals were crinkled, it was still beautiful. It was also the first flower any guy had ever given her. “Wow, th-thank you,” she said, carefully taking it in her fingers. Her chest seemed to tingle with sudden warmth, and for some reason, she had the weird urge to hug the flower like some giddy girl in a movie might do.
    â€œSorry it’s kind of in rough shape,” Marcus said. “It was the craziest thing, but I think I accidentally killed the whole bush when I touched it.”
    Lena’s eyes snapped up, the warm feeling in her chest vanishing.
    â€œWhat do you mean you killed the rosebush by touching it?”
    He shrugged. “It must be your powers. Or, um, my powers now, I guess. My fingers started glowing for no reason, and then the entire plant wilted right in front of me.”
    â€œBut that’s crazy! You shouldn’t be able to do stuff like that.” Lena sucked in a breath. Then again, she shouldn’t have been able to make her dad randomly fall in love with someone, but it had happened. “I think things are even more messed up than we realized. Come on.” She waved Marcus toward the auditorium, which was always empty this time of day.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” he asked when they were perched in the back row.
    Lena slumped in her musty seat and told him all about what had happened with her dad the day before.
    â€œWhoa,” he said when she was done. “So you gave him a love boost?”
    â€œDon’t call it that. It sounds so cheesy!”
    â€œCall it what you want, this is serious. There’s no way to undo it.”
    â€œAre you sure? What about the manual Eddie gave you? There has to be something in it.”
    Marcus shook his head. “The only thing you can do now is wait for the spark between them to fade on its own. If they’re not an actual love match, it shouldn’t take long.” He gave her an examining look. “But this woman sounds kind of perfect for your dad. Is it really so bad if he’s happy?”
    â€œHe’s not happy! He only thinks he is. He was fine before I did this to him.” Even as she said the words, Lena wasn’t sure they were true. After all, she’d felt all that loneliness coming from her dad yesterday. But his whole personality had changed since she’d zapped him. That had to mean this love stuff was a scam, right? Some kind of hypnosis? Once she had her regular dad back, then she could find a way to make him less lonely. Maybe they could get another dog or something.
    â€œHave you heard from Eddie?” Marcus asked.
    Lena shook her head. “Nothing yet. You?”
    â€œUm, my phone’s out of commission right now.”
    â€œWe should let him know what’s going on. Our powers are obviously out of control. And just in case, we should avoid touching other people.”
    â€œEven each other?” Marcus asked.
    â€œProbably, just to be on the safe side.” The homeroom bell rang, making Lena jump. “Oh no! I was supposed to meet Abigail to practice for auditions!”
    â€œRight, that’s today. What do theater people say? ‘Break a leg’ or something?”
    â€œYou can wish me luck. All that superstition stuff is—”
    â€œI know! I know!” Marcus said, and for some reason, he was smiling. “You don’t believe in love, ghosts, or