Last Dance Read Online Free PDF Page A

ring and I need my Lit book. I don’t have time to waste arguing with you.”
    “Who’s arguing? I’m just asking some questions.”
    “And blocking my locker.”
    “Oh, am I?” His eyes glittered dangerously. “I am soooo sorry. I didn’t mean to inconvenience you and waste your valuable time. Thanks to you, I have tons of free time. You got me kicked off the football team and turned Josh against me. I owe you so much and I totally believe in payback.”
    “Move out of my way!”
    “Not until you answer one question.”
    “Get lost!”
    “What’s your secret?” he persisted. “I knew there was something strange about you from the start. Josh wouldn’t listen to me when I warned him you were trouble. It’s like you’ve cast a spell on him. He’s blind to you, but I’m not. You’re hiding something. I don’t know what it is … but I’m going to find out.”
    Then he made a sweeping gesture toward my locker, stepped aside, and walked away.

I was still reeling from Evan’s threat when Josh showed up.
    “Were you just talking to Evan?” he asked, frowning as he peered down the hall where Evan had turned around the corner.
    “Uh … yeah.” My heart was still pounding, and I felt a wild sense of paranoia. Like I wasn’t safe anywhere, not at school or home.
    “Was he bothering you?”
    “Uh, not really.” I grabbed some books and slammed the locker shut.
    “Then what did he want?”
    I glanced at my Lit book. “He asked about our homework assignment.”
    “Really?” Tension eased into a wistful smile. “He told me he was getting serious about homework, but I had my doubts. If he improves his grades, he’ll be back on the team.”
    I bit my lip. “He needs to improve more than his grades.”
    “Don’t be so hard on him. Sure, he made some mistakes but he’s a cool guy once you get to know him.”
    “I know more than enough.”
    “Evan told me he felt bad for those things he said about you.”
    “You’re talking to him again?” My heart lurched. “After everything he did?”
    “He lives next door and our parents are friends. I can’t just ignore him and I don’t want to. Everyone needs a second chance. I feel bad how things turned out.”
    “It wasn’t your fault.”
    “Yeah, I know. But it’s hard to stay mad. I keep thinking of all the good times we had, and even the bad times when my brother was sick. Evan stuck by him until the end. I’ve got to stick by him, too, I owe him that much.”
    “You owe him nothing.”
    “Maybe.” He shrugged, but his tone wasn’t convincing. He lifted his head as the warning bell rang. “We better hurry to class.”
    I nodded, uneasy about Evan’s influence over Josh, especially after Evan’s threat to find out my “secret.” If he did, he wouldn’t hesitate to destroy me.
    As Josh and I walked, he described his weekend trip to attend a cousin’s wedding. I debated over telling him the truth. It would be a huge relief to be honest, but I was afraid he wouldn’t believe me. If I explained about my spirit guide, ghostly dreams, and the prophetic vision that led to a boy’s death, he’d think I was delusional.
    Before we entered our first period Lit class, Josh ripped out a piece of paper from a notebook. With lightning quick fingers, he folded it, smaller and smaller, rounding the corners, sharpening the end to a point, until I recognized the shape.
    “For you, Sabine,” he said, holding out a paper heart.
    Words swelled up my throat and I hugged the paper to my chest. He put his arms around me, drawing me close. His touch was gentle and his dark brown hair smelled fresh with a scent of lime shampoo. Not caring if anyone was watching, I lifted my chin and met his lips in a gentle kiss.
    And I vowed to never do anything to risk losing him. At school I would be totally normal. No more “weird” stuff.
    Still, I had to figure out a way to help Nona. I decided to get advice from a trusted friend who already knew my secrets. So I