Eternal Spring A Young Adult Short Story Collection Read Online Free PDF Page A

let her talk me into it. Anyway, I
promised myself that I would stop obsessing. I wasn't going to get any time
alone with Ian, and I was going to focus on my job.
    At the campfire, I managed to avoid looking at Ian. Okay, I
looked once. Or twice. Both Owen and Maggie stayed by his side at all times.
    Sophie and I had decided to have card night at our cabin
before bed. I let Sophie go ahead on her one-hour cell phone break while I
supervised a Go Fish tournament.
    When Sophie returned, she decided to start a second
tournament. I didn't want to leave, but I'd promised my parents I would check
in tonight.
    I walked up to the great room. I didn't see any of the other
counselors on my way. When I pulled open the front door to the building, I
expected to find one or two other teens there. Instead, the room was empty.
    After grabbing my phone from the desk drawer, I snagged the
remote to the giant television. Then I pounced on the couch. I set my cell
phone alarm for fifty-six minutes later and dialed my parents. After promising
I was healthy, well-fed , and behaving, I said good
night to each of them.
    With fifty-three minutes left to enjoy the luxury of the
empty great room, I kicked off my Keds and stretched my legs out on the sofa. I
needed a blanket and a giant soda, and I'd be in heaven.
    I clicked the remote to bring up the channel guide. Sophie
had probably spent her whole hour texting or talking, but I couldn't imagine
anything better than an hour of peace.
    Until the front door opened and Ian walked in.
    Suddenly, I knew the best way to spend my hour. I tried to
play it cool. He probably had calls to make, and he wouldn't have any time for
me. I selected the first decent show I saw and turned it on.
    “Well, don't you look comfortable,” he said with a big
smile.
    I smiled back, fighting the urge to sit up. “If only I had a
blanket,” I managed to say.
    He walked past and I pretended to watch the show. He'd get
his phone and make his calls, and I'd see him for a few more seconds before I
had to leave.
    I was wrong.
    “Your wish is my command,” he said, handing me a patchwork
quilt.
    “Where did you-?”
    “I know all the secrets,” he said.
    “Can you find a Coke?”
    “I wish,” he said as he came around to the front of the sofa
and sat down at the other end.
    My feet were practically touching him. Thank God I'd worn
socks today.
    He took the quilt and spread it over both of us. “You don't
mind sharing, do you?”
    “Of course not! Thanks.” After that, I couldn't think of
anything to say. Finally, he started messing with his cell phone.
    I'd been waiting for days to talk to him. What was wrong
with me?
    Not looking away from his phone, Ian said, “Thanks for
helping with Max.”
    I pounced on the opportunity for a conversation. “How is
he?”
    My heart pitter-pattered as Ian tucked his phone into his
pocket. He was choosing me over his phone!
    “Not great. He'll be in the Council's Atlanta Hospital for
at least a month.”
    “Poor kid. I never even asked what he did wrong.”
    “I don't think you want to know.”
    “Why not?”
    “He used a charm to help him see through walls. I think he
was trying to snoop on the girls in the shower.”
    “Really. The girls?”
    “Okay. The counselors.”
    “Yikes.”
    “I guess some kids don't need to hit puberty before they
turn lecherous.”
    I shuddered at the thought of being spied on. “When did he
do this charm?”
    “I don't think you want to know.”
    When he glanced down, his wavy brown hair fell into his
eyes. “Super.” I almost wished I hadn't helped the kid.
    “If it's any consolation, it will give him something to
think about for the next couple of months.” He barely finished saying it before
he started laughing.
    “Eww. Not helping.” Had the twerp really watched me in the
shower? Better Sophie than me.
    “His neck is about six feet long. Even if he did misbehave,
I feel sorry for him. I'm not sure how he's going to eat. The food