Jumping Puddles Read Online Free PDF Page B

give it to you?”
    “When did you give it to him?”
    “Last month, while I was home on break. Why?”
    “How did I not know this?”
    “I’m sneaky like that. Go ask him for it.”
    “He went to bed an hour ago,” I tell him as I open my bedroom door, spotting a wrapped package sitting in the middle of my bed the second I turn the light on. “Did you happen to wrap my present in shiny gold paper?”
    “Maybe.”
    “What about a black ribbon? Does that sound familiar?”
    “A little.”
    Giggling, I rip the paper open. As I lift the lid off the box, my heart starts pounding in my chest at the thought of what it might be. My eyes land on the ring, and I squeal with excitement.
    “I’m not sure you bought me the most beautiful mood ring I’ve ever seen, but if I could wrap my arms around you and thank you right now, I would.”
    “I’ll hold you to that in a few weeks.”
    “Thank you, Blake. It’s gorgeous.”
    “I’m glad you like it. I saw it at the store a few days before I left, and I thought of you.”
    “I love it.” I slip the ring on my finger, and after a few minutes, I notice it’s it was a soft pink. I’ll have to remember to look up the different meanings of the colors.
    After thanking Blake again, I let him go, remembering what Scott said about using the phone, and crawl into bed. I reflect on the day and how amazing it was. For a girl who, only a year ago, had lost not only her parents but also her Aunt, I sure am lucky to have found a new family. One who loves me, cares for me, and would do almost anything to make sure I’m happy and healthy.
     

     
    MY BAGS ARE PACKED, and Alice is waiting downstairs to take me to the airport. My plane leaves in a few hours, and I think I’m more nervous than excited. It’s a short flight, only a little over an hour, but I haven’t been on a plane since I flew here to live with my Aunt. Alice will barely be home from dropping me off by the time I’m calling her to check in.
    Blake is picking me up at the airport. He promised to be on time. I want to believe him, but he was at a party last night when I called, and he sounded like me may have been drinking. I tried to call him this morning, but there was no answer. I’m going to be pissed if he doesn’t show up. I have no idea how to get to his dorm and no money to take a cab.
    As the plane pulls up to the gate, I cross my fingers Blake is waiting for me. The last thing I want is to be stuck in an airport while he sleeps off his hangover.
    Grabbing my purse and slinging it over my shoulder, I power my phone back on and get ready to dial his number over and over again until he answers. Departing the airplane and walking through the tunnel, I try to keep my anger to a minimum. When I spot a familiar pair of chocolate brown eyes, the anger melts away.
    Dropping my bag on the floor, Blake pulls me in for a hug. I can still smell the party from last night on his clothes. Pushing him away, I take in his appearance. There are bags under his eyes, telling me he got little, if any, sleep. His clothing is wrinkled, and his hair, growing longer and longer every time I see him, is messy. He needs to shave and take a shower stat.
    “You look like you never went to bed last night,” I criticize, picking up my bag and walking away from him.
    “I didn’t. I lost track of time, but I kept my promise. I’m here,” he replies excitedly as he catches up to me.
    “Yeah. You look like shit, though.”
    “Charlie, I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you. We have all week. I just need to take a shower before we go anywhere.”
    Knowing that fighting with him is going to make this week suck, I let it go. We grab my other bag from the carousel and head to his car. His phone rings as we’re about to pull out of the parking garage so he asks me to answer it for him while he pays the parking fee.
    “Hello?”
    “Who is this?” a nasty female voice asks.
    “Charlie. Who the hell is this?” I retort, mimicking her