Deception Read Online Free PDF Page A

him. 
    Caylie passed me in the hall on the way into the same class as Ian, “Grace, you’re going to stop the staring or your permanently going to have your face stuck that way.”
    “Am I that obvious?”  Ian was like a fresh pot of strong coffee.  Stirs the senses and leaves you addicted.  Spiked with a little bit of absolute outright danger.  But essential!
    “Yeah, girl.  At least lately!  Can anyone say Ian druggie?  Addicted to Ian?”
    “But he won’t leave me alone.  He’s just there, all the time.  It’s not like I’m pulling his arm.  He’s pulling mine.” My hands shook for no real reason that I wanted to admit.
    “Still!” I knitted my eyes together mocking my friend’s words determined to not let her ruffle my feathers, “ Still !  He’s the one constantly there.”
    “I’m just saying.  If he is suddenly now wanting more than friends, he makes the move.  Until then, back off.  Friendship is more important and you don’t want that messed up.”
    Mike, the soccer goalie, strutted up next to Caylie, hooked his arm in hers, and pulled her to the next classroom.
    She stumbled off saying, “Like I said, let him do the pulling,” and pointed to Mike’s huge bulky arm.  I rolled my eyes and closed my locker smelling the fire and flames.  Wheeling around landing in the direction of my classroom door I sighted the tall-good-looking-not-able-to-speak-ever Christian who stood leaning on the lockers across the way staring with his coal black eyes.   No expression in his face, just all out staring at me.  I got the feeling he was all mystery and nothing but trouble with that wicked grin but he softened the smile and shook his not too short, spiked dark black hair side to side like he knew what I was thinking. He never spoke, just stared probably trying to figure out the freak.  I left him standing there in a daze not knowing yet again if this boy would ever actually talk. 
    The morning passed in about the same way as the first two classes.  My eyes were still glazed over trying to solve the Ian puzzle because of his refusal to help me though I knew very well he was aware of my unhealthy drive to solve the mystery he’d intentionally placed me with lately. The subtlest peek from the corner of my eye revealed Ian standing outside my class when I exited.  He motioned a “come hither” with one finger curling towards my direction.  Leaning on the wall!  One leg propped up.  Smiling at me !   I swear I didn’t visit any gypsies and slip a love potion in his soda .
    My stomach knotted up and went fuzzy inside.  No point asking his motives, he wouldn’t tell me anyway.  Nancy Drew couldn’t solve this one.
    I caught him looking back into the classroom to the window where the rain had begun to fall in a light drizzle.  The beautiful fall trees were sparkling glittery gold shadows all across the room during class and a shadowy calm was on us now.  He stared briefly, stiffened his back, and then turned back just as quickly with a warm smile.
    I followed the path his eyes took to the outside window once more. “What?”
    “Nothing, princess.” 
    I watched him follow my hair as it circled around onto the side of my neck all the while screaming... Please, stop being my best friend and love me forever. Blushing afterward...if he knew… too embarrassing!  I’d accepted a long time ago that he only wanted to be friends.  Deep down inside, he might even know.   Looking away first, I led the way out though I ended up in the cafeteria alone. Today’s lunch was ham and cheese without my butterscotch pudding, but I had a vanilla yogurt! That sucked lemons.
    “Take me up on my offer.  Let’s go to the city this weekend and shop for clothes and hot guys.  Chillaxin!  You’ll love it, cheerio.  You need it.”  Her eyebrows rose on the last comment. 
    “I don’t know, Caylie.”  Which really meant no, but I didn’t want to give her just a solid rejection.
    “Come