In my Dreams by Courtney Barnes (each kindness read aloud .txt) 📖

you let me tell you,” Emma said laughing. “She just basically humiliated her, by reminding her that after everything she did to Sarah she still didn’t get what she wanted, Ryan. And that Sarah was happy no matter what she did to her. Her face was beet red she was so mad.”

“I bet that felt good.”

“You have no idea. I have waited three years to let her know she didn’t hurt me. And I think I got my point across. It was a good day.” I grinned widely.

“So Sarah, what are you going to do about Lucas’ book?” Emma asked me changing the subject.

Derrick glanced at her and answered for me. ”What’s the big deal, just go up and tell him that you have it. He’s sitting right over there.” He gestured with his hand. I looked over to where he pointed. Lucas was sitting with Andy and Kyle two tables away. I hope he didn’t hear us talking about him.

Emma was looking at Derrick like he’d lost his mind. “She can’t just go over there, he doesn’t talk to anyone. He won’t talk to her.”

“What’s the big deal?” he asked again, shrugging his shoulders.

“You are such a guy.” She tossed the crust from her bread down on the table. Emma was the only seventeen year old I knew, who still didn’t eat the crust off her sandwich.

I decided to interrupt them. “Oh my god it’s not a big deal, I’m going.”

I stood up and walked over to where Lucas and his friends were sitting, while Emma and Derrick watched me.

As I approached their table, Kyle and Andy smiled and nodded to me. Andy asked if I was finished my homework for our Chemistry class, I said yes. While we were talking, Lucas never looked up from the book he was reading. “Lucas?” I said a little shaky. Nothing, he still didn’t look up. “Lucas!” I said a little louder.

Andy and Kyle just shrugged. “Dude!” Andy smacked Lucas’ shoulder.

He finally glanced up at me, his glasses falling forward a bit. He pushed them back then glared at me with his deep hazel eyes. He was very good looking when you were close enough to notice. He was tanned, his brown hair was a little long, but it looked good on him if you liked the rugged look on a guy. He had a strong jaw, and a sprinkle of freckles along the bridge of his nose.

“What?” he said, interrupting my thoughts.

I was a little flustered at his annoyed expression. “Um… I don’t know if you know me? My name is Sarah”

“I know who you are,” he interrupted.

“Okay…You dropped your book when I bumped into you this morning. I didn’t bring it with me, but if you want to meet me at my locker. I can give it to you.”

He looked at me like I was speaking a different language. “Why don’t you just bring it with you to history next period, and give it to me there.”

I was shocked. “You’re in my history class?”

Now he looked even more annoyed. “I sit behind you in the back corner, and you probably didn’t notice me because you’re always talking to Emma.”

I felt a twinge of guilt, but it was quickly replaced by irritation. I didn’t mean to hurt his feelings. “Okay, I’ll do that.” My voice was cold, but I didn’t care.

I nodded to the other guys and walked back to our table. “You were right. I shouldn’t have gone over there. He’s weird.” I told them what happened. Emma made sure she said I told you so.


Ch.3 Derrick and Emma

Our history teacher was Mr. Henderson, but when we arrived, he wasn’t there yet.

My desk was next to Emma, as Lucas pointed out. I set my books down and walked over to him.

He was already there, just where he said he sat, in the back corner behind me. No wonder I never noticed him, he was scrunched down in his chair with his book standing up on the desk, his head behind it. “Are you hiding from someone?” I asked as I approached.

He looked up, surprised. “Just reading, you’ve heard of it haven’t you?”

“Nope, never,” I replied dryly. “Here’s your book.” I tossed it, smacking him in the shoulder. I didn’t intend for the book to hit him. However, I wasn’t sorry that it did.

I was about walk away when I heard him speak. “You don’t like me do you?”

I spun around; extremely surprised that he had spoken. He even had a slight smile on his face. Oh my god he smiles. “I don’t know you. This is the most you have ever talked to me, and so far you’ve been kind of a jerk.”

He didn’t change his expression. I guess he knew he was rude and didn’t care. “I’m not used to socializing, I like my privacy,” he smiled grew wider. I was so shocked; I didn’t know what to say. “I guess I need some practice?”

“Practice with what?” I asked dumbly.

“With talking to people, maybe you can help me with that.”

I stood in place, not able to speak, or move, his sudden change in behavior confused the heck out of me.

“Okay people, get to your seats, so we can learn something,” Mr. Henderson said as he walked in. He dropped his books on his desk with a loud thump.

Saved by the annoying teacher, I gave Lucas a timid smile and hurried back to my desk.

When class was dismissed, Lucas was the first to leave, so there were no more awkward words between us.

I stood up from my chair.

Emma grabbed my arm and pulled me into the hall. “Talk,” she demanded as I opened my locker and traded my history for my Chemistry book.

The door hit another locker with a clang as I flung it open. “He actually had a conversation with you!” she whispered. “He never speaks to anyone, he even smiled.”

“I know. I was as shocked as you are. I was the one who had trouble speaking.”

“What got into him?” She held her books closer to her chest.

“I have no idea.” I pulled my book out, and slammed the door shut.

“Was he nice? He’s so cute; he can’t be as bad as Logan.”

“Well he didn’t say that much, but so far he’s not much better.”

She frowned. “Really? So you think being a jerk, runs in their family?”

“It must. But I’ve got to go. Bye!” I called over my shoulder as I rushed off to the chemistry lab. I didn’t want to be late for another class.

I took my seat, just in time. Mr. Holland was just handing out our assignments. “Okay class, pick a partner. I want you to estimate the reactions of the three pairs of chemicals. Then when we’re finished, we’ll record the actual reactions.”

I looked over at Jenny Carson. Who usually partnered with me, but she smiled apologetically. Nicky Gray was leaning over her, already chosen to pair up.

“Hey Sarah, do you want to be partners? Nick is sick today. So if you don’t, I’ll have to work alone. You won’t do that to me, will you?” Andy asked, standing beside me, leaning his arm on my desk.

“Sure I’ll be your partner,” I said with relief, I didn’t want to work alone either.

He sat down at the empty seat where Jenny had vacated.

I began with estimating the reactions for the first pair.

“I’m sorry about the way Lucas treated you today. He’s not usually so rude. Not that he has a chance to be. I’m sure you’ve noticed he’s a little antisocial.”

“Yeah I’ve noticed.” I scribbled my estimation, and then handed the paper to Andy for him to do the next one.

“He’s a really good guy, but he’s had some bad experiences. People aren’t always that friendly to him. Just because he looks like Logan, doesn’t mean he acts like him.” He wrote down his answer, tapping his finger on the desk.

I was about to ask him what he meant, but Mr. Holland started asking questions about the results of our assignment. Andy handed me the paper, and I finished the last one. I tried to talk to him a few more times, but Mr. Holland seemed to notice before I opened my mouth.

When I arrived home after school, I went up to my room where I spend most of my time. Mom and dad let me redecorate recently, and I love it. We painted the previously dark beige walls, a nice cream color, and I added splashes of color with cool pictures that took me weeks to find.

We put a small couch and TV at one end of the room, and my bed and dresser on the other. My desk, which held my computer, sat in the center under the window.

I sat down on my bed and started my homework.

There wasn’t much to do, only a one page essay on our favorite poet. I chose Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

I finished quickly, turned my stereo on, and lay back on my bed to listen to the music play softly. My mind drifted to the two conversations I had with Lucas, well if you could call them that, he wasn’t what you’d call chatty, but when we did talk, it felt… I don’t know… nice. No that was the wrong word, it felt…right. What was I thinking? He was a total jerk and wouldn’t even speak to me at lunch. But there was something about his voice that sounded somewhat familiar. My thoughts were heading in a weird direction, so I turned up the music, and soon fell asleep.

I woke up to someone gently shaking me.