Read Online Pieces of Me by Erica Cope - Free Book Online Page A

pain in her face, knowing that I'm the cause of it. I can’t bear the thought of her hating me.
                  I close the laptop and briefly consider doing something really pathetic—I almost call in to work to see if they need any help closing.
                  Yeah, I have problems.
                  I decide against it and ultimately opt for a long, hot bubble bath and go to bed early—a pathetic end to yet another pathetic day.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 8
     
     
    It's a beautiful, bright and sunny day without a cloud in the sky when I meet Olivia at her dorm so we can go check out the new art studio.
                  “I thought it was supposed to rain today?” I ask her pointedly as we get into her car.
                  “The weatherman is human—he must've made a mistake,” she says slyly.  I suspect that she planned this all along. I make a mental note to check the weather myself from now on.
                  Even though I know it will be a very short trip, the longer we’re in the car, the more anxious I feel. The whole time we've been on the road, my fingernails have been digging into the seat cushion and I keep checking and rechecking to make sure my seat belt is secure. I'm trying my best to rein in my building panic attack but she's so busy chatting away that I don't think she even notices. For that, I'm thankful. I’ve had more than enough pity to last me a lifetime. I just want to blend into the crowd here. 
                  “Parking's a bitch so we'll have to walk a bit,” Olivia announces as she pulls into the closest open spot and immediately shuts off the engine. She spares me a small smile and I wonder if maybe she isn’t as oblivious to my unease as I thought. Maybe she is just being her usual sweet self by not calling me out on it. 
                  I quickly get out of the car and breathe a sigh of relief. It was only a ten minute car ride but it felt like forever. Olivia stays in the car, retouching her lip gloss, which gives me more time to get a grip.
                  Outside the car, I attempt to compose myself, pretending to be interested in looking around at the little town square. The sidewalk is lined with two and three story buildings full of antique shops and thrift stores. I see a dental office, a lawyer's office, an old apothecary, and even an old-fashion barber shop complete with the swirling red, white, and blue stripes of a vintage barber’s pole adorning the entryway.  All of the buildings are well-maintained with modern amenities but manage to retain their historic charm.  Trees are strategically spaced along the sidewalk in tiny landscaped plots, their bare branches reaching up toward the now gray-blue sky. It looks like it might storm after all.
                  Olivia finally emerges from the car and tucks her blonde hair behind her ear. “You good?”
                  I nod, knowing what she is really asking me. I feel my cheeks burn in embarrassment but she carries on like nothing happened—like I wasn't acting like a crazy person.
                  “It's this way.” She smiles brightly.
                  We walk along the faded red brick sidewalk toward the end of the block and as soon as we turn the corner she suddenly perks up.
                  “What a surprise!” Olivia says with over-exaggerated surprise. “What are you guys doing here?”
                  Beck and Holden are standing on the sidewalk in front of us, waiting outside Do Art Studios. From the expressions on their faces, it’s pretty obvious that I'm the only one in the dark today. At least Holden has the decency to appear embarrassed.
                  I grab Olivia by her hand and pull her off to the side. “What the hell?”
                  “What?” She feigns