A Beautiful Dark Read Online Free PDF Page B

travel mug. The Collegiate Peaks were a spectacular section of the Rocky Mountains. Looking at her small, wiry frame, you’d never picture her trudging up the side of a mountain underneath a forty-pound backpack, but she was deceptively strong. And, as she liked to remind me when the question of breaking curfew came up, a pro with an ice pick.
    “I’m trusting you to behave while I’m gone,” she said.
    “I’m trusting you to come back and bake me some cookies.”
    She laughed. I knew she felt guilty about leaving me alone so much, so I always tried to make it seem like it was no big deal. But the truth was I really missed her when she was away. But then she’d probably miss me when I went off to college, and I didn’t want her making me feel guilty then. So I was paying forward.
    I grabbed a cereal bar from a box in the cabinet and kissed her on the top of her head. “See you soon,” I said. “I love you.”
    “Love you, too,” she replied, smiling after me. “Don’t forget. Call the office if you need anything!”
    And then I was in my car and flying to school. The snow hadn’t stuck very much, aside from forming some weak piles along the side of the road, and the roads themselves were already clear. The trees were a green-and-brown blur on both sides of me. I had a perfect, tardy-free record—there was no way was I going to start off the semester being late for homeroom.
    Just as I pulled in to the parking lot, my cell phone rang in my backpack. I pulled it out while maneuvering the wheel with one hand. Cassie’s number blinked up at me.
    “Lady,” she said breathlessly into my ear. Cass always said everything breathlessly, as if she couldn’t wait to tell you. “Are you ready for second semester?”
    “I’m ready for my coffee.”
    “What? I don’t think I quite heard that.”
    “I said ,” I repeated, louder this time, “let me drink my coffee in peace, woman.”
    “You’re no fun. See you in homeroom; this gossip isn’t going to spill itself.”
    Cassie’s favorite thing in life was gossip. And it was almost always about guys, which was Cassie’s favorite subject.
    I glanced at the clock on the dashboard. 8:01. Nine minutes to make it to homeroom before I was officially late.
    On my way up the front steps of the school, I stopped. I felt a prickling sensation that caused the fine hairs to rise on the nape of my neck.
    I knew no one was behind me—I had been alone in the parking lot when I got out of my car—but I turned around anyway.
    “Morning, Skye.” It was Asher, looking up at me from the bottom step. His short black hair ruffled faintly in the breeze.
    He looked guarded, one leg on a lower step, the other tensed on the step just above it. But beneath his serious exterior, it looked like he was trying hard not to smile.
    “So,” he said, clearing his throat, “I’m sorry for fighting at your party. I didn’t mean for you to see what you did, and . . . hear what you did. It wasn’t because of you, Skye. Devin and I have a long-standing history. . . .” He paused. “I was really glad we got to meet outside. What did you end up wishing for?”
    “I—” I’d forgotten to make a wish after all. But what he was saying made no sense. Why would I think the fight had anything to do with me? I didn’t even know these guys. I wondered if maybe he was just nervous about seeing me again. I knew I was.
    “Oh,” he said. “I forgot my opener. Sorry. I’m Asher.” But I already knew that.
    He held out a hand. I eyed him suspiciously. Slowly I reached my hand out as well. He met me halfway. When our hands touched, a tiny wave of goose bumps trailed up my arm. I quickly pulled away.
    “See?” Asher smiled. “Not so bad, right? Anyway, look, aren’t you going to be late for homeroom? Want me to walk you?”
    “Inside?” I said. “But I . . . There’s a pretty strict security policy. . . .”
    “Well, it’s good to know my new school has at least one leg up