Dark Promise Read Online Free PDF

him Friday night.” Gripping my shoulders, she gave them a little shake. “Did you really think I’d leave you on your birthday?”
    I shrugged, feeling a little guilty.
    She shoved me to the side. “Really? You know me better than that. You’re my best friend. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. Besides, you know I can’t pass up cake and ice cream.”
    That was true. Sierra was petite, but she could eat like a linebacker.
    Two more classes, and the day would be over. I had choir practice after school, but I really didn’t feel up to going. I was tired and achy again. Turning to Sierra, I rubbed my temples and told her, “I’m going to go take a Tylenol in the bathroom.”
    A concerned look crossed her face. “Still got that headache?”
    “Yeah. It goes away for a bit, and then comes right back. My mom said it could be allergies or something.”
    She walked with me to the bathroom. The moment we pushed through the swinging door, the stench of body spray plugged up my nose and made me cough. The bathroom’s bright fluorescent lights made the sunshine-yellow walls glow. There were four stalls, all empty at the moment. I put my backpack down and yanked out a bottle of water and the Tylenol. I threw a couple in my mouth and washed them down.
    Sierra handed me her lipstick. “Need a touch-up?”
    “Yeah.” I took the lipstick from her and applied it to my lips. It made my mouth a deep burgundy. “Thanks.”
    “What are friends for? That color looks great on you, by the way.”
    I smiled. Sierra always made me feel better.
    Two hours later, the medicine still hadn’t kicked in. My head continued to throb, but I had to go to choir.
    Choir was in the small auditorium, in a domed building adjacent to the main body of the school. It had been replaced by the large auditorium sometime in the nineties, and the old was given to the arts program. It was dark and dreary, and the seats were hard wood instead of the plush cushions of the new auditorium, but the choir students liked it for its character.
    I walked down the aisle, and Mrs. Lopez looked up from behind the podium. Her black hair was pulled up in a severe bun. It looked a little strange since her long locks were usually down in loose waves. “You feeling okay, Rylie? You don’t look well.”
    “I’ve had an awful headache today,” I said truthfully.
    “Do you want to just go home? You should rest your voice if you’re not feeling well.”
    “No. Adam is my ride, and he’s at baseball practice anyway.”
    “Well, if you want to just sit in the chairs and watch, that’s fine with me.”
    “Thanks, but I think I want to try and sing.” I didn’t like letting Mrs. Lopez down. She was my favorite teacher.
    “I like that attitude, Rylie.” Mrs. Lopez smiled broadly. As the final trickle of students came in, she asked, “Do you want to do your solo first? Get it out of the way?”
    I nodded. “Sure. Thanks, Mrs. Lopez.”
    I walked up the stairs to the stage and gripped the microphone stand, adjusting it to the perfect height. Mrs. Lopez took a seat at the baby grand, her fingers splayed across the keys, and nodded at me as she began playing “Someone Like You” by Adele.
    I sang through the song twice, hitting every note with ease. Singing is my passion. When I sing, I feel free, and everything else seems to fade away. Even my headache and the nightmare were forgotten.
    “Excellent,” she praised. Concern marred her brow. “Now, go sit down and watch. You look so pale.”
    I knew she was probably worried about me coming down with something. Our end-of-year concert was quickly approaching, and my solo was one of the main acts.
    “Thanks,” I said, relieved. I walked to the back of the auditorium. Every step felt like someone was banging something hard against my head. I sank down into one of the chairs and let my head fall to rest on the back of the seat. It was dark and cool. Closing my eyes, I listened to the choir sing.
    “Hey,