Read Online Never A Choice (The Choices Trilogy (Book 1)) by Dee Palmer - Free Book Online Page A

coward and a bully, but I would wait and see how the first part of my tirade played out before I resorted to more insults. It didn’t go unnoticed that although the theatre was full I had empty spaces either side of me this week. My leg bounced nervously as the clock on the wall blinked closer toward seven o’clock, my stomach knotted uncomfortably and my palms were clammy. It felt more like a high noon showdown. The door opened and I held my breath only to let it out instantly in disappointment as Mr Wilson stepped through.
    “Mr Stone is unable to present this evenings’ class but I do have his notes so I will take the lecture. I will do my best and hope you are not too disappointed.” He grinned at the room and there was a little ripple of laughter. I did feel disappointed. Strange that I didn’t feel relief, after all I don’t do confrontation as a rule so I should feel relieved but no; I definitely feel disappointed. There wasn’t going to be a confrontation. No fiery exchange, no burning tension, no heat at all The next week was worse.

    “So spill . . . you are so out of sorts Bets I’m ready to send out a search party for my missing best friend.” Sofia climbs under the covers, wriggling to get comfortable next to me whilst precariously balancing a a steaming mug of hot chocolate in one hand.
    “I think I should stop calling her . . . she just get so upset and it breaks my heart that I can’t comfort her, you know.” Sofia had caught the tail end of my telephone call with my mum. I had such a terrible day I just wanted to hear her voice. It was a long shot she’d know who she was speaking to but sometimes I just need to hear her softly spoken words of nonsense. But it’s selfish of me and I always feel much worse after.
    “I’m sure she appreciates your call. Even if she doesn’t know who you are it’s still nice talking to someone different for a change and it’s not like you’re trying to sell her a change of mobile provider.” Sofia slips her arm around my shoulder pulls me against her in a protective hug.
    “I might as well be.” I let out a deep heartfelt sigh. “It’s actually better when she doesn’t know who I am and we can talk about nothing and everything. It’s when she remembers bits or suddenly recognises my voice and I can almost hear her struggle to recall more. That’s when she breaks and I’m too far away to do anything about it. I know I’d make it better if I could cuddle her. We’d make us both better with a cuddle.” I sniff back the building sadness and allow the comfort of Sofia’s’ hug to work its own magic. It’s a constant sadness and it’s just bearable most of the time but today it just got the better of me.
    “But that was just one call and it’s not like you haven’t had many just the same so whats new and if you tell me you’re just tired I will just say the same; you’ve been tired before.” She pulls back and I catch her narrowed but kindly scowl.
    “I don’t exist.” I slowly breathe out my poor explanation.
    “Is this a ‘if a tree falls in the woods’ . . . existentialist thing that us mere catering students won’t understand?”
    I chuckle. “Not exactly, today in the Lecture, Mr Stone . . . it was like I didn’t exist. No eye contact, no humiliating exchanges, no heated glares and definitely no erotic embraces.” I told Sofia the next day what had happened in my first lecture and each day she called for an update. I knew he was about because I had heard other students talk about him, spotting him with Mr Wilson or just walking across the Quad but I never saw him.
    ‘You’re upset because he didn’t humiliate you this week? You are so strange.” She barks out a short laugh. “ Tell me . . . are you more upset that you didn’t get to vent all your pent up irritation or are you more upset that you didn’t get to release more of that pent up heat?”
    “I’m not upset he didn’t humiliate me but I am more upset he