Read Online When Reason Breaks by Cindy L. Rodriguez - Free Book Online Page B

me to guidance?”
    â€œNo. Don’t worry, you’re not in trouble,” said Ms. Diaz. “She told me how you often draw within your notes, that it’s a way for you to capture what’s going on in class and in yourmind. That’s fine, but if you draw weapons like the bloody daggers yesterday, then I have to report it. I think you know that. I want to encourage your creativity, but we do have school rules to follow.”
    â€œGot it,” said Elizabeth.
    â€œDo you have any questions?”
    â€œNope.”
    â€œOkay, then.” Ms. Diaz scribbled on a piece of paper. “Here’s a pass to class. See you tomorrow.”
    Elizabeth grabbed the pass, and as she strolled down the hallway, she crushed it in her fist.

Chapter 11

“Afraid! Of whom am I afraid?”
    Later, Emily skipped lunch, telling Abby and Sarah she had to meet with her counselor to change a class. Instead, she sneaked out a side door and tucked herself into a corner near the art wing, far enough from the cafeteria that her friends shouldn’t find her.
    Sitting on the grass, her knees pulled up to her chest, Emily’s heart pounded as she texted Kevin. She retyped the message a dozen times before she settled on: It’s over.
    Her phone buzzed seconds later.
    Kevin: WTF? Is this a joke?
    Emily: No.
    Kevin: Meet me in the drama storage room. Let’s talk.
    Emily: I can’t.
    Kevin: I deserve an explanation.
    Emily: Fine. I’m outside, near the art wing, by the bench-sculpture thing.
    Kevin: On my way.
    Emily stood and paced. Her hands turned cold, but her heart pounded. She sat on the bench-sculpture, ignoring the sign telling students not to, leaned forward, and gripped the seat so hard her fingers hurt. She wanted to appear calm when Kevin arrived, but she couldn’t stop her legs from bouncing.
    Kevin rounded the corner in a jog. Emily remained seated.
    â€œWhat’s going on?” he shouted.
    She sprang to her feet. “Be quiet,” she said and looked around.
    â€œNo one’s here but us.”
    Kevin closed the gap between them and instinctively reached for her.
    â€œDon’t touch me,” she warned.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?”
    â€œYesterday, we made out in the storage room and hung out at your house.”
    â€œRight.”
    â€œYou said you wouldn’t hurt me.”
    â€œYeah, and?”
    â€œYou did.”
    â€œHow? What did I do?”
    â€œYou scratched Sarah’s back in English class this morning,” said Emily.
    Kevin’s eyes widened in surprise and then scrunched in confusion. Finally, he laughed.
    â€œYou’re joking, right?”
    Emily’s entire body clenched.
    Kevin stopped laughing. “Wait, you’re serious.”
    â€œYou were flirting with her.”
    â€œI just needed a pencil.”
    Emily held her hand up to stop him from talking.
    â€œI know I’m not your official girlfriend, that we had decided to keep everything a secret—”
    â€œ
You
decided,” he interrupted.
    â€œForget it,” Emily said and started to rush past him. Kevin grabbed her elbow to stop her.
    She yanked herself free. “I said don’t touch me.”
    Kevin held his hands up. “Whoa, easy. I’m sorry. I’ll let you talk.”
    Emily zipped her silver crucifix back and forth along the chain until her breathing slowed. She patted the small cross and continued.
    â€œYou’re right. I decided to keep us a secret. You wanted to tell everyone. You said you wouldn’t wait long, and then you flirted with one of my best friends in front of my face. You say you were asking for a pencil. I say you were sending me a clear message, a warning even, that if I didn’t tell everyone about us, you’d move on, with Sarah.”
    Kevin opened his mouth to defend himself, but Emily held her hand up again.
    â€œI actually felt sick to my stomach, you know that? The thought of you being