Read Online Redemption by Veronique Launier - Free Book Online

class, at least, and I know their types. Throw in a few references to how much cash they have, and girls are putty in their hands.
    Guillaume laughs. “My brother has done one big thing in his life, and now everything reminds him of it.”
    I look from one boy to the other carefully to try to understand them, but come up with nothing. I can’t categorize them. I like that.
    “Have you traveled anywhere else?” I ask Garnier.
    “We’ve moved around a lot growing up,” Guillaume answers.
    “Where?”
    “Mostly France, England, and Spain.”
    “But you have to understand,” Garnier says, “my trip was more than just travel. It was a pilgrimage of sorts, following the path of Marco Polo. And it’s more than what Guillaume has done with his life.”
    “For now, brother, but real life is just about to start.”
    Guillaume must be referring to graduating from high school. “Do homeschooled kids graduate?” I ask my thoughts out loud and turn red when I realize how dumb I just sounded.
    Just then Lucy taps me on the shoulder, and saves me from this embarrassing conversation.
    “Hi, I’m Lucy, Aude’s best friend. I just finished my shift.” She addresses the boys and looks at me nervously. I realize she thinks I don’t want her there. I motion for her to sit down and she drops down on the arm of my chair. “I play guitar in Lucid Pill—same band as Odd.”
    Guillaume and Garnier introduce themselves.
    “You’re a musician?” Garnier asks me.
    “She’s really good, actually. She’s the lead in our band. You should totally check us out sometime,” Lucy answers.
    Garnier flashes me an easy smile, his blue eyes twinkling.
    “Impressive,” he says.
    “Hardly.” I feel compelled to say.
    “Why would you say that?”
    “I don’t know … ”
    I really don’t know and I don’t even know what to say to him. It’s not that I’m attracted to him. He’s good-looking, both boys are, but it’s not what has me so unbalanced. There is just something open about him. Something raw and real that you don’t see in teenage boys. It contrasts sharply with his brother’s quiet mystery.
    Between both of them, they’ve managed to make me feel flustered, actually flustered. I don’t know why I feel this way. I’ve had a crush before but this is different. It’s like there is something about these two that I need to know. Some history I have to uncover. It scares me a little and annoys me a lot.
    Lucy asks Garnier a question I don’t hear, and his focus shifts to her. I marvel at his eyes. They disturb me when on me, but fascinate me from this angle. Lucy nudges me and I realize I’m staring. Garnier is now talking quietly with Guillaume and I turn my attention to Lucy.
    “What the hell is wrong with me?” I whisper.
    She laughs. “It happens to the best of us.”
    I shake my head at her. “No, it isn’t what you think. That doesn’t happen to me. Maudit. ”
    “Because you’re above high school crushes?” she teases quietly.
    “No, that isn’t it … ” I realize I need to tell Lucy about the attacks. I need to let someone in. She needs to understand my potential mental illness. But this is hardly the time.
    I sigh, move my hair so it covers more of my face. I rest a boot on the edge of the coffee table, and cross my arms in front of me.
    Guillaume leans in so his arms are resting on his legs. “Why were you attacked today, Aude?”
    “What?” Lucy jumps up and looks at me. “What happened? What do you mean attacked? Are you okay? What is your mom saying about it? Oh my God, seriously are you okay?”
    Well, I did want to tell her about it, but that isn’t exactly how I planned to handle it. “I’m fine Lucy. I mean I’m weirded out and … ” I look at the brothers who are now staring intently at me. “Well, I guess we can talk about it later?”
    She looks from them to me a few times, as if trying to judge whether she should force me to blab in front of them or not. “But you’re