Insomnia Read Online Free PDF Page A

were suddenly closer than I could handle. I sat back, regretting every inch I was giving up. “But I’d like to do something with medicine. I’m also a nurse’s aide this year.”
    “That’s really cool, Addie.” I glanced over at the store. Finn was paying at the counter. “I think you’d be great at something like that.”
    “Yeah?” She grinned. “Why?”
    “Because you’re smart and kind and … ” I watched Finn walk to the door. “And pretty.”
    I heard myself say the words, and I clamped my jaw shut as I saw Addie’s mouth drop open. Seriously? Why did I say that? I mean, it was obviously true, but still— idiot .
    “All very important things in medicine.” Addie winked and squeezed my arm. “Thank you.”
    Finn climbed into the car and I tried not to look as uncomfortable as I felt.
    “What’d you get?” I put the car in reverse and did my best to avoid looking at Addie as I backed out of the parking space.
    “A new concoction—might call it the Finn Supreme.” Finn took a sip and smiled. “Sprite, cherry syrup, and vanilla syrup.”
    “Wow.” I nodded, trying to keep from laughing. “High marks for creativity.”
    “Why do your drinks need names?” Addie looked out the window as she spoke, but in the rearview mirror I could see a small smile playing at the corner of her mouth.
    Finn turned around to face her, looking surprised. “Why not?”
    My headlights shined on Finn and Addie’s yard as I pulled around the corner. The red-brick, two-story house sat on the edge of the cul-de-sac with a white picket fence around the backyard. Mrs. Patrick built little flower boxes under all the windows. The rain had eased a little, and mini-rivers ran down the gutters on the sides of the street.
    Addie poked her head into the space between my headrest and the door. “Thanks for the ride.” She smiled, then opened her door and got out.
    I tried to ignore the bumps on my neck where her breath had warmed my skin. “See you, Addie.” I watched her walk into the house.
    “You want to play some PS3?” Finn asked.
    I rubbed my palm against my right eye. I’d already been out too long and my eyelids were sagging. It was only eight, but definitely past time for bed. My brain was starting to freeze up, like an engine without enough oil. It wouldn’t be real sleep, but at least the peaceful nothingness I hung out in before most Dreamers fell asleep would help smooth out my lurching thought-process a bit.
    “Nah, need to get home. I’ve still got a few chores to finish before I can head to bed. Plus I should probably at least start the homework I’ve been stalling on all week. See you tomorrow,” I said as Finn grabbed his backpack and jumped out of the car. It was a lie, of course. I never brought homework home. If I couldn’t finish it during school hours, it wasn’t getting done. It was hard enough trying to maintain any kind of social life when I felt like crashing by eight p.m. most nights; homework wasn’t a priority. Especially now that I knew I probably wouldn’t even make it long enough to apply to college.
    After shutting the door, Finn bent down by the window and I could look him straight in the eye. “See you at the assembly,” he said.
    “Sure. Later.”
    As I pulled out, Finn pounded his shoulder with one hand, saluted, and then waved. I returned the weird farewell. He definitely kept things interesting.
    The rain continued in a strange circular pattern on the way home: heavy, medium, light, then heavy again. The rhythmic thrumming made it difficult to focus on the road. My mind kept leaving the car. Alone again, I couldn’t stop thinking about my future—or lack of one. As Mom would’ve put it, I was zoned—until I noticed the stop sign and the purple truck that was about to meet the front end of my car.

four
    I slammed my foot on the brake so hard my knee felt like it might bend the wrong way. I jerked the wheel to the left to avoid smashing into the little pickup