Destiny (Waiting for Forever) Read Online Free PDF Page B

alone. However, as I looked back, I realized I hadn’t been isolated at all. I had been surrounded by people who loved me and whom I missed. I also realized that for the first time in my life, not only could I take care of myself, but also I could help someone else.
    [Brian]: Ok. Lonely. Got in a fight.
    His immediate response took me by surprise.
    [Adam]: Kick his ass?
    I let out a snort of laughter, and Sarah looked up at me. Indicating my phone, I told her what Adam asked in the text. She told me to tell him “Hell yes.” I grinned at her, and she went back to her book.
    [Brian]: Their asses actually.
    Now that the adrenaline had worn off, I felt shocked but proud as I thought about what had happened. Just a year ago, I wouldn’t have had either the balls or the skill to defend myself, much less walk into that bathroom to save someone else. Not that I planned to go thank him for anything, but the one thing Mosely had done for me was force me to grow up, to be stronger.
    [Adam]: WTF?
    Surprised my phone didn’t ring, it amused me that Adam was showing considerable self-restraint by continuing to text because I knew he would be dying to talk to me after that last message, and patience wasn’t one of his strong points.
    [Brian]: Two guys followed this girl in to the john at the Houston station. I helped her out.
    [Adam]: You ok?
    [Brian]: They never touched me.  :)
    [Adam]: Idiot!
    A bubbling laugh escaped me, and Sarah looked up again with a raised eyebrow. I laughed again, and she smiled. I wanted to hear his voice. It should be okay if I used a few of the hundreds of minutes loaded on the phone to talk to him. Going into my contacts, I selected his name again and hit send.
    He picked up before the first ring had ended.
    “Hey,” he said.
    “Dude, you called me an idiot,” I replied with a laugh, trying to keep my voice down so I didn’t disturb anyone else.
    “You are an idiot, but you’re still my hero. Is the girl okay? You guys called the police and stuff?” I tilted the phone, bringing the mouthpiece closer so I could lower my voice further.
    “She’s sitting next to me on the bus, and no, we didn’t call the police. That would have meant missing our bus. She’s a runaway and didn’t want to draw attention, you know?”
    “I know you picked up a stray when you’re barely able to take care of yourself,” he said.
    “Adam…,” I started, and I heard him sigh.
    “Sorry, Bri, I’m just worried about you. I’ll be good. So where are you? Still in Texas?” I could tell he was trying to keep the conversation light, so I decided to let it go.
    “Aren’t you supposed to ask me what I’m wearing?” I asked, trying, almost successfully, to stifle a giggle. I didn’t want to use too many minutes, but I didn’t want the conversation to end on a tense note. My little joke worked, and his barking laughter filtered through the phone, warming me.
    “I miss you,” he said, his laughter slowly dying out.
    “I miss you too,” I said softly.
    “It’s not too late to switch buses and come home, you know?” he asked as if he knew the direction my thoughts had taken.
    “Take care of yourself at school,” I told him, knowing this could be the point where we started to fade. Once he started classes and I started looking for Jamie, we would have less time to keep our friendship going.
    “I’ll be just fine. It’s you that needs to be careful. Please e-mail me every once in a while and let me know you’re okay?” His voice was heavy, filled with a sadness I could almost feel. I was about to reassure him when I heard another phone ringing.
    It was Sarah’s phone.
    She looked at me, startled, and I told Adam I had to go. I would call him when I got to California. Hanging up quickly, I watched as she pulled the phone out of her bag with shaking hands.
    “It’s my brother,” she whispered, and with one last scared look at me, she answered it.
    “Hey, Charlie,” she said quietly and then held the