Crossings: A Sovereign Guardians Novel Read Online Free PDF Page A

with thirty minutes on my hands every day. When new people started showing up at Jasper High it was like divine intervention, and I heard this voice speaking to me saying, 'Faith, you know what you need to do.' And just like that I knew what I could do to help others here at JHS."
    Her caramel brown eyes were big as she blinked at me, waiting for me to respond. I used all my reserves to feign an interest and ask her to tell me more, even though I wasn't sure I wanted to hear the explanation. My own eyes shifted again to the doors that went outside, and I had to remind myself that I was doing this for Gran, before I caved and ran for freedom.
    "Well," Faith drawled, "I figured if I made it my mission to be friendly and help out all the new students coming to the high school, I could write it down as some type of community service project. Then I could put that on my college applications to try and help me get some scholarship money. Not that my family needs the money for me to be able to go, but I know if there's extra money then I can use it for shopping. Ya know, I actually knew a girl like that once. In fact, she had so much scholarship money thrown at her, she had enough extra to buy a brand-new car."
    Faith had my full attention now.
    "You mean to tell me," I narrowed my eyes at her as I spoke, and I was pleased to see she had the decency to squirm a little as she became the target of my direct gaze. "You mean to tell me," I repeated, "that you're being nice to people, including me, to get money for clothes?"
    Her mouth formed a perfect 'O' before breaking into a grin. "Well, when you put it like that, I do sound clever, don't I!"
    I couldn't help it. I burst out laughing. It had been so long since I'd laughed - really laughed.
    Faith was incorrigible, and I was able to recognize a kindred spirit. For the first time since I'd sat down, I was glad I hadn't gone outside to eat alone.
    "I see you've picked up another stray, Faith." A voice I recognized came from behind me. The laughter died in my throat. I twirled around on my seat to face the intruder.
    It couldn't be him.
    But it was.
    "Hey, Keller!" Faith's greeting was effortless. It was the kind of greeting a person gives a friend. I wanted to believe he wasn't one of her pet projects, but his very presence convinced me otherwise.
    He walked around the table and slid into the seat across from me, grinning at my obvious discomfort. I turned back around, trying vainly not to think about the dimple that peeked out at the corner of his mouth.
    Faith either didn't notice the tension in the air or chose to ignore it.
    "Keller, you probably haven't met our newest classmate."
    He interrupted before she could continue with the introduction.
    "Actually, Faith, I had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of our dear, sweet newbie at an earlier time. You remember I'm working for her grandmother out at the farm, so..."
    He left the statement unfinished, giving her time to put the pieces together without telling her where we had actually met.
    Understanding dawned in Faith's eyes. "Oh, that's right! I'd forgotten about that, Keller. Why you and Pagan are neighbors, too, aren't you? I mean, what with you living at Mr. Mac's place."
    Her answered confirmed what I already knew. There wasn't much in this town that wasn't everybody's business.
    "You can't possibly be in high school, Keller," I pushed the words out through my clenched teeth, "unless you failed a few grades."
    "Nope. We're the same age, sweetheart."
    My brow wrinkled in confusion. "That can't be right. And, don't call me sweetheart."
    "Would you prefer love?"
    "I'd prefer not to hear your voice at all," I shot back.
    "So you'd rather we sit and stare deep into each other's eyes because there's no need for words between us?" His grin flashed wickedly as he began to do exactly what he'd suggested.
    It was not ladylike to growl, but I couldn't help it. If I had been standing, I would have stomped my foot and walked away.
    No,