Just Breathe Read Online Free PDF Page B

dirty look.
     
    “Well, I guess I’ve lost my lab partner, Huh.” she spits out.
     
    I look at her with an equaling glare and say, “Guess so.”
    I feel like we’re five year olds comparing mud pies sticking our tongues out at each other.
     
    Jack speaks up and says uncomfortably, “Sorry I didn’t know, I can find another lab partner.”
     
    Julia looks at him like she just noticed him and turns around on her heel heading back to my old table.
     
    Jack apologizes again and I shake my head, “You did me a favor.”
    Our eyes meet again and I feel warmth again. Either I have a huge blushing problem or I'm getting sick as my mom thought.
    Class begins and I glance at Jack to find him staring at me. I blush for the millionth time and look the other way. What is it with this guy? I feel comfortable around him yet, the butterflies in my stomach are in full force. After class I tell him to have a good weekend and we part in opposite directions, suddenly looking forward to Monday morning. I think maybe history might turn around for me after all.
     
    ***
     
    As I walk to my car, I glance around and see Jack getting into an older, little, yellow convertible 356 Porsche. I know this because that is the car my brother can’t stop talking about. He got his license this year and begs my parents almost everyday for that car. So funny, how things go around in circles.
    I don’t know if he saw me as he drove out of the lot because as usual, Gabbi was running to me yelling, “Tell me everything. You didn’t text me. I have been dying.”
     
    I smile and tell her the short truth, “There is really nothing to tell, you saw him at lunch. His hands look normal, obviously I was hallucinating, and he is a nice guy, I am helping with homework, end of story.”
    I never mention how the warmth spreads when he smiles at me but then again that is a crazy girl’s thoughts, just like the lights on his hands.
     
    She puts her hand on my shoulder and exclaims slyly, “Ever Harding, I haven’t seen that smile in a long time. Do I detect a little like, with this new boy?”
     
    I shrug her hand off, but can’t lose my smile, “No Gabbs, just friends.”
     
    She nods with her knowing smile, so silly. I climb into my jeep.
     
    “Goodbye Gabbi. Don’t forget to pick me up at seven for the game.”
     
    She starts walking and calls over her shoulder, “Of course I won’t forget.”
     
    On the drive home, I decide to go to the lake for a swim. I need a good swim. I make a quick stop at home for my suit and towel and head over to the lake. I wonder… but then push it out of my mind. It was a fluke that Jack was at the lake the last time I was there.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    5
    The Lake
     
     
    When I pull up to the lake, I notice a local fisherman towards the opposite bank. It looks like he is the only other person here, besides me. I knew I couldn’t get lucky three times in the same week with no one here. Oh well, I will just have to keep my swimming on this end of the lake.
    I get started and find my groove. The water is still warm. I can feel all the tension falling away as my body moves. I swim for about forty five minutes. It clears my mind and my body glides into my routine. I'm focused and concentrating.
    Suddenly I hear a huge splash. I stop and tread water looking around the lake finding the spot, where the splash was made. It was toward the opposite bank. I look for the fisherman from earlier, but he must have left. That’s weird.
    I start swimming again and then I spot it, a very large snake barley exposed in the water, headed my way. Its head looks to be the size of my hand, I’m in trouble. Just great, this is what my mom was afraid of. I start swimming faster to the opposite bank and then I look up. Jack just standing there with his arms crossed, watching me swim for my life. Unbelievable! It looks like he has a smile on his face too. Anger surfaces through me. He should be helping, instead of