Read Online Talisman 01 - The Emerald Talisman by Brenda Pandos - Free Book Online

packed up my things and gasped when I looked at my notes. I’d unconsciously doodled Nicholas’ name all over my paper. Quickly, I crumpled the evidence into a ball before Sam could see it.
    There goes turning over a new leaf.
    We waited until the crowd subsided before leaving the room—less people for me to accidentally run into. She took one look at my pathetic heavyhearted expression and furrowed her brow.
    “You’re not doing any better, are you?” she asked.
    I pouted up my lips and nodded my head.
    “I’m trying, but I can’t stop thinking about him,” I said, completely despondent.
    We headed across the lawn towards the cafeteria and Sam kept a slower pace. Since the accident, my appetite diminished to practically nothing and the thought of food made my stomach lurch.
    “I know, let’s go do something tonight,” Sam suggested cheerfully.
    “I can’t do much with these,” I said while lifting up my crutches.
    She sighed. “When do you get rid of them?”
    “The doctor said, depending on how I’m healing, I could try moving around without them on Monday, but he warned me not to overdo it.”
    “How does your ankle feel?”
    “Still tender,” I said, not wanting to reveal my heart felt a hundred times worse in comparison.
    “I can’t wait until you can walk again. It’s hard to cheer you up when you can’t go anywhere.”
    “Tell me about it,” I said with a sigh.
    “Hey, I know what we can do.”
    A mischievous smile spread across her face.
    “Oh no. What?”
    “How about going to the Boardwalk?” she said while raising her right eyebrow. “We could get you a wheel chair so you don’t have to wait in line.”
    I imagined how stupid I would look and rolled my eyes.
    “No,” I said, wrinkling my nose.
    Everyone knew the only reason locals hung out at the Boardwalk was to show off their current infatuations, which I didn’t have. And even if all the rides happened to be free, I did not want to be subjected to unbridled displays of affection.
    “There’s always the beach,” she suggested.
    “How am I going to use crutches on the sand?” I said, completely annoyed my injury prevented me from enjoying everything.
    Her sudden embarrassment made me realize my harsh tone hurt her feelings.
    “Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound like that. I know you’re just trying to help.”
    “It was a stupid suggestion.”
    “No, you know I love the beach. I’m just . . .” I searched to pinpoint my actual problem. “ . . .being stupid.”
    Sam laughed.
    “No, you’re not. It’s Nicholas’ fault. He’s the one being stupid.”
    “You’re right. I’ll stop being so difficult,” I said with a smile.
    We joined Cameron, Dena and Morgan at our regular table.
    “Do you want anything?” Sam asked me as I sat down as lithely as I could.
    “Just a Luna bar, if they have one. Thanks.”
    “I’ll come with you,” Dena said as she got up and followed Sam to the cafeteria line.
    Prompted by Morgan’s longing, I decided to take advantage of my window of opportunity.
    “Hey, Morgan,” I said.
    His eyes flickered quickly to mine after realizing I’d caught him checking out Dena as she left the table. He looked away, his cheeks turning red.
    “Oh, hey, Julia,” he said while drinking his soda to hide his embarrassment.
    “I was wondering . . .Who are you taking to homecoming?” I asked with a smile.
    He took one short breath, appearing calm, his anxiety known only to me.
    “No one. Why?”
    His eyes darted back and forth between me and Cameron.
    “I think you should ask Dena to go with you,” I said softly.
    I watched as panic spread across his face.
    “Dena?” his voice cracked.
    “Yeah.”
    “I think she wants to go with someone else,” he said sheepishly, glancing over at her as she stood with Sam at the cash register.
    “I think she wants to go with you.”
    His eyes came back to mine. I sensed his disbelief.
    “Me?”
    “Yeah and you better ask her soon, before someone else