Read Online Infinite (Strange and Beautiful, Book 1) by Brittney Musick - Free Book Online Page A

past; she’d called her an overachiever, but
I just shrugged it off as sour grapes. Not that Skylar was competitive in the
academic department or anything, but she always seemed to have a problem with
anyone who was better than her at something.
    Some of
the other seniors in our Journalism class could seem a little intimidating at
times, but Annabelle had a nice smile that immediately set me at ease. She was
also pretty fair about taking things into consideration when someone made a
suggestion for the paper.
    “Hey,
Silly,” she said, adjusting the bag she had slung over her shoulder. “Can I
talk to you for a minute?”
    “Sure,”
I nodded, shutting my locker and then following her into the nearest empty
classroom. I was extremely curious about why she wanted to talk to me. I could
only assume it was to do with the newspaper, but since I really didn’t do
anything very important, I couldn’t even begin to guess why.
    Before
I could ask what was up, though, she said, “As you know, we only have so much
room in the newspaper.” I nodded and she went on. “I know you were very
interested in doing a review column.”
    “Yes,”
I agreed. It had just been a fleeting idea, but it had been shelved for the
time being in favor of the advice column Carley Hendricks was doing.
    “As it
turns out, we have an opening. Carley just told me that she has to have her
tonsils taken out at the end of the week. She hasn’t even started on her
column, and the paper will run in a couple of weeks. Mr. Hensley and I
discussed it, and we wondered if you’d be interested in doing your review
column.”
    “Sure!”
I exclaimed with more enthusiasm than was probably necessary. When the idea had
been shelved, Mr. Hensley and Annabelle had both suggested it might be a good
column for the next edition of the paper. Even then, though, I’d figured that
someone else would probably get to write it, so I was thrilled to be offered
the chance.
    “Terrific,”
Annabelle grinned broadly as her shoulders relaxed, as if she’d been worried I might
turn the offer down. “Maybe you could make a list of books or movies you might
consider reviewing, and then we could discuss your ideas tomorrow during
class.”
    I
agreed readily, and Annabelle stepped out of the classroom with a smile and
wave.
    Then
I just stood there for a moment with a grin plastered on my face. I’d been so
disappointed when I’d first found out that not everyone would be able to write
an article for the paper each month and some of us would have to edit and help
get things ready to sell. I’d expected to be doomed to selling or putting the
paper together, so actually getting to write something was pretty exciting. I
couldn’t wait to call Tegan and tell her, and with that thought, I hurried out
to the parking lot to catch a ride with Skylar.
    I
noticed along the way that the hallways were nearly empty, and when I reached
the parking lot, there were only a few cars still there. I glanced at my watch
to check the time. It was only ten after three.
    “Talk
about clearing out fast,” I muttered. I found I couldn’t blame anyone, though.
I never had much of a desire to stick around after school was over either. I
scanned the parking lot just in case, but it was obvious that Skylar had
already left. I didn’t see Tierney’s car either. “You are officially screwed,”
I said to myself.
    For
the first time I realized that maybe I actually did need a cell phone. Skylar,
Luke and our parents all had one. My parents had offered to get me one, but,
no, stupid me had said, “No thanks. I probably wouldn’t use it very much.”
    What
was I thinking? So what if I wouldn’t use it very often? It was times like
these that counted.
    I
kicked a nearby bench with a huff and growled. I knew Mom wouldn’t be too happy
if I called her and asked her to come and get me. For one, it would be an
inconvenience to her, and, for another, Mom would probably be mad at Skylar for
leaving me.