Read Online What She Left Behind by Tracy Bilen - Free Book Online Page A

scratch of stubble against my cheek. Try to slow my breathing.
    Notice Alex’s desk is only six inches from mine. Let Alex lock pinkies with me so as not to cause a scene. Okay and because I want to.
    Ignore snickers.
    Drop Alex’s hand when Robertson turns around.
    Read note from Alex: Have lunch with me?
    Send back answer: Can’t.
    Return to original page of notes. Cover page with arm so Alex can’t see and continue writing: Must leave. Have to go.
    When the bell rings, I’m the first one out the door and Alex is right behind me.
    “Hey, wait up!”
    My heart skips a beat. Let’s face it: Alex is hot, easy to talk to, and definitely interested.
    Focus. This is no time for romance. I pretend not to hear him. I concentrate on my footsteps. I have this little singsong marching tune playing in my head. Mom. Mom. Where is Mom?
    He catches up to me anyway.
    “What’s the big hurry? Besides escaping Robertson’s lecture on the horrors of World War I?”
    “Meeting someone,” I say, taking the front steps two at a time.
    “The Dairy Dream again?”
    Today I have a hooded sweatshirt with me. I zip it up and start power-walking.
    Alex glides effortlessly along next to me. “You want to work on the history project together?” he asks.
    Do I tell him no now so he doesn’t get stuck doing the paper all by himself once I disappear? I decide not to. It will give him a good excuse to ask for an extension later. I look over at him. God, I love the way his hair always looks just a tiny bit mussed up. “You were actually planning on writing a paper?” I say.
    “With the right topic, history can be interesting.” When he smiles at me his whole face lights up. “Well, and with the right girl.”
    I laugh and shake my head. “You’ve got it down pretty well. Flirt a little, flash your brilliant smile, and get the girl to write the paper for you. Only, haven’t you noticed? I’m not the most dedicated student lately.”
    “So now you know I’m after you and not your writing skills.”
    My heart beats faster. “And why would that be?”
    “You’re pretty even when your eyes are all puffy from crying.”
    I lift my eyebrows.
    “That, and you’re fun to talk to.” Then, just like he did in history class, he reaches over and wraps his pinky around mine.
    When we get to the Dairy Dream, I scan the cars in the lot, then lead Alex over to the picnic table we used yesterday. Our pinkies come undone as we sit. To give my hands something to do, I open my backpack and take out the book Alex loaned me.
    “So what’s it about?” I ask.
    He smashes his lips together and turns a pretend key. “Nope. No can do.”
    I roll my eyes and turn the book over to read the back cover. “Hey,” Alex says, covering the text with one hand. “No cheating.”
    “Reading the back cover isn’t cheating.”
    “Sure it is. I never read the synopsis. I like to be surprised. Really surprised.”
    “So how do you pick a book?”
    “I read the first page. If I like it—” He pauses and gives me this goofy grin. “I keep reading.” I have the feeling he isn’t talking about books anymore.
    “Want some ice cream?” Alex asks.
    “Not today. Thanks.” I’m feeling hopeful. I’m sure my mom will arrive any minute, she’ll explain everything, and we’ll be on our way to our new life. I wonder where we’re going. Colorado, maybe? Or Florida? I’m excited. Then I look over at Alex. Damn. Why can’t this be as easy as it was two nights ago? Then there’s Zach. How can I just leave him? And Lauren—now I’ll never have a chance to make things right with her.
    At least I won’t miss the house. It’ll be good to be away from allthe memories that live inside. I don’t think I’ll miss my dad, either. Because the Dad that I want to remember died when we moved from Philly.
    “So, do you have any ideas for the history project?”
    Project? “Huh?”
    “I’ve always been fascinated by the Dirty War in Argentina.”
    I have no idea