Read Online The Locket by K J Bell - Free Book Online

there.” Nothing is going to keep me from seeing you again. I hoped I did not say the last half out loud. Brent gave a shy wave and walked away.
    Exiting the overflow parking lot, I saw Brent in the lot across the street tossing his backpack into the driver’s side of a black truck. It was unexpected, considering he had ran through the woods to school. Pulling up next to him, I rolled down my window.
    “Hey, I thought you liked to hike through the woods to school, nature boy,” I teased, hoping he would be okay with it. I wasn’t sure if he was upset with me for not helping him with chemistry today.
    Turning to face me, he laughed.
    “Believe it or not, I actually don’t prefer that route to school, Blake. My truck was in the shop. My dad dropped if off after lunch for me,” he explained.
    “Well, it’s nice to know I won’t have to worry about you attacking me again,” I laughed, continuing to tease him since he didn’t seem to be upset with me.
    “Yes, Blake, you should be safe from now on,” he smiled.
    “Oh, I’m so relieved.”
    “Good. I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said, climbing into the truck.
    Can’t wait!
    On the drive home I found myself talking about Brent. While sitting at a stop light, I looked over to a group of teenagers, and finally realized I was literally talking out loud. They were pointing and laughing at me. Mortified, I searched for my phone so I could pretend I was speaking with an actual person. Failing to find it before the light changed, I sighed with humiliation.
    Having been completely wrapped up in thinking about Brent during the rest of my drive, I didn’t remember most of it. Again, I found myself hoping my parents weren’t looking down, watching me. Somehow I didn’t think driving while not looking at the road fell into the safe category.
    Entering the house, I called for Maggie, but she didn’t answer. Assuming she had gone for a walk, I used the time to find something to cook. Maggie had been taking care of me all summer and I planned to return the favor by making a nice dinner. Subconsciously, I was probably using the impromptu meal as a distraction. I found chicken in the freezer and enough fixings for a decent salad in the refrigerator. Going about the task at hand, I put all thoughts of Brent aside. He was renting way too much space in my head at the moment.
    Dinner was nearly ready when I heard the door.
    “Something smells wonderful,” I heard sweet Maggie call out before I saw her enter the kitchen. Maggie was really beautiful. Her auburn hair was swept up in a messy bun, framing her flawless skin. Her cheeks were pink from being outside in the early fall chill.
    Oh, you’ve got it bad, girl.
    Maybe it was my zeal after spending the day with Brent, but she looked radiant standing before me.
    Placing two plates on the table, a colossal smile stretched my face. She noticed and smiled back at me adoringly.
    Right Cassidy, if someone was designed for each of us, then why was Maggie still alone?
    She asked how my day went and I filled her in, leaving out any part about Brent. She listened to me rattle on all through dinner. Finally acknowledged my selfish behavior, I asked about her day. She told me it was rather uneventful, and that she had taken a long walk along the river, picking some wild flowers to make a wreath for the fall.
    My thoughts drifted while Maggie spoke, fixating on Brent, her voice a low hum in the background. She continued, while I mentally played out every interaction with Brent today searching for some understanding as to why I was feeling the need to drive to his house and be near him. Replaying the entire afternoon in slow motion, I convinced myself that Layken may have been right about him. Maybe he did like me, and I liked him, unequivocally.
    No…No you don’t. You can’t get close to someone, Claire. Think about it. Could you really say goodbye to him?
    Maggie’s was waving her hand in front of my face, attempting to bring me back