January Dreams Carrigan Richards (the mitten read aloud TXT) 📖

“I don’t know. Are these dreams like, linked to our real lives or something? I mean, are you in some kind of danger?”

“Not that I’m aware. Unless my parents find out that some cute guy took my car to get repaired.” I blush and look out the window. Cute? Cute? What is my problem? I peek at him out of the corner of my eye and I swear I can see a sliver of a smile.

“How’s your cheek?”

“Still purple and swollen.”

“I’m sorry. I really am.” He pauses a moment. “Not that I mind at all to take you to school, but why didn’t you ask Vincent? I’m glad you didn’t. I mean, I-I’m curious.” He clears his throat. Is he shy around me or something?

“I didn’t call him because he’s just…distant. I don’t know. It’s weird. One minute we’re great, and the next…nothing.” I can’t believe I just told him that.

“Maybe he’s just dealing with a lot.” Casper arrives at school and parks. He keeps the heat on and both of us stare at the building. We are pretty much the only ones there so far.

“Did your parents find out anything?” he asks as he removes his hat and tosses it onto the dash.

“No.” I bite my lip. “I don’t want to go today.”

“You and me both.”

“I’m starting to feel like someone is after me. Like, I’m starting to feel paranoid. I hate it.”

Casper takes my hand and squeezes it. I ignore my heartbeat. “It’s like that for me, too. That’s why I’ve been trying to talk to you, but I let it go thinking the dreams would stop.”

“But they haven’t.”

He shakes his head. “We could skip, if you want.”

“I can’t. If my mom finds out, she’ll ground me. And I have a chemistry test.” That I didn’t study for. I reach into my bag and pull out my notebook, opening it to the right page. I start reviewing my notes, but Casper yanks it away. “Hey!”

“I’ll quiz you.” How is it that I can feel so unnerved, yet comfortable by the same person at the same time? I shouldn’t have spent the entire afternoon and night with Casper, let alone the morning. I need to return to my regularly scheduled program. “Come on. What is Group 16 of the Periodic Table called?”

Reluctantly, I let him quiz me. As time passes, more and more students arrive.

I’m not sure about being seen with Casper at school. I don’t want another repeat of yesterday. But I can’t go inside yet because the school has a ridiculous policy that we aren’t allowed inside until about twenty minutes before the bell. You can’t even go inside to the library. We sit in the car for a few more minutes, going over chemistry, but I’m antsy. I take my notebook and thank him, then open the door and get out. The wind cuts through me and I brace myself. Casper follows me for a short distance, but I turn around.

“I think I can handle it from here.”

“Are you afraid of being seen with me?”

“I wouldn’t want Amber to see us.”

“She won’t hurt you again.”

“I can handle my own fights, thanks.”

He raises his eyebrows and his eyes point at my hidden cheek. “You sure handled it yesterday.”

His comment hurts, but I’m grateful he gave me something to be angry about. I don’t like this weird friendliness between us. “You’re such a jerk, you know? Why don’t you go rejoice in Amber’s victory like everyone else?”

“I didn’t mean it.”

“Whatever. Leave me alone.”

“Oh, come on. Don’t leave.” He grabs my elbow whirling me around to face him. “It was a joke.” Our eyes lock, and for a second, I think he is going to kiss me, and I’ll welcome it. At least my body wants it. Something is seriously wrong with me.

“Megan.” I hear Vincent behind me, his voice sounding hurt. I stiffen, then twist around and Casper releases me. The wind blows my hair, revealing my bruise.

His blue eyes immediately grow angry. “Did you hit her?” He glares at Casper with such rage that makes me shudder. Why would he automatically assume it was Casper?

“What?” Casper straightens his stance and clenches his fists.

“What did he do to you?” Vincent asks, stepping closer.

“He—”

“I didn’t do anything to her. But if you actually answered her calls, maybe you’d know what happened to her.”

Oh crap.

“Are you threatening me?” Vincent challenges and steps closer, squeezing me in between them. Okay, so maybe he isn’t so shy.

I press my hands against both of their chests. “Vincent, it wasn’t him,” I say, but neither one pays attention. They glare at each other, sizing each other up like male gorillas. “Casper, go. I can handle it.”

After a long look at me, Casper walks away and the tension eases.

“Who did that to you?” Vincent asks, brushing aside my hair. I back away so my hair recovers it.

“I’m sure it’s front page news by now. Didn’t you hear?”

“I was out yesterday.”

“Yeah, you’ve been out for a while.”

“That isn’t fair. What happened?”

“Amber McLachlan hit me because she saw me talking to Casper.”

“Why were you talking to him?”

Shaking my head, I start walking away from him. I’m not sure how much longer of this back and forth I can take with him.

“Megan, please.”

“What, Vincent? I haven’t heard from you in two weeks. You were so mad at me when I went to my dad’s, and now you stand up for me? Either be my boyfriend or don’t.”

“I’m sorry you feel that way. We had to rush my mom to the hospital.”

I soften, hoping he isn’t about to tell me his mom died. “I’m sorry. Is she okay?”

“She’s fine, for now. She was just having a hard