Obscured (The Obscured Series Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

and thought of my dad. I should have called him to
check in. I knew he would be wondering about how my first day went, but I was
just too tired.
    I
sunk into the sheets and got cozy in my down comforter. I fell asleep more
quickly than usual, and was relieved the next morning when I awoke and couldn’t
remember a single dream.
    I
hopped out of bed with more perkiness than usual. I dressed as fast as I could,
giving myself ample time to call my dad before I went down to breakfast.
    “Hello?”
He answered on the second ring. His voice was husky, slightly more husky than
usual, as if I had woken him.
    “Hi
dad,” I said.
    “Hey Abbs !” He nicknamed me Abbs when I was younger and had called me that ever since. He was the only person I
let call me that. “I'm so glad you called.”
    “How’s
everything going?”
    “Good,
I've been busy working. The store has been pretty busy.”
    My
dad owned his own hunting supply store, and since hunting season was coming up in
a few weeks everyone was getting ready to go. I imagined him amid a sea of
targets, tents, and propane tanks. It was familiar and I liked it. I always
thought when I was old enough I would work in my dad’s store. As it turned out,
that wasn’t my destiny.
    “That's
good.”
    “How
was your first day of school?” he asked.
    I
knew my dad genuinely cared about what was going on in my life. I could always
count on him.
    “It
was alright, I guess. It’s almost time to leave for school. I probably should be
getting downstairs to breakfast though. I just wanted to call and say hi, but I
will call you again soon.”
    “Okay,
I'm glad you did. I miss you,” he added.
    “I
miss you, too.”
    “I
love you, Abbs . Have a good day.”
    “I
love you too, dad. Bye,”
    I
hung up before I heard him say goodbye. I skipped down the stairs. My mood
lifted after talking to my dad.
    There
was a note on the refrigerator in my mom’s neat handwriting.
     
    Abby,
                    I had to go to work early this morning.
Breakfast is waiting in the microwave. Sorry, you will have to walk to school
today. Have a good day!
                
                                   Love,
                          
                            
Mom
     
    It
was not unusual for my mom to have to leave suddenly in the morning. She worked
as an editor’s assistant at a publishing company. She would have to go in early
for a number of reasons—if someone called in sick, if the boss needed an
earlier coffee fix, or if she had a bigger workload due to book deals.
    Pancakes
with strawberries on top and sausage were waiting in the microwave. It was
delicious and still warm. I didn't mind eating alone; it was actually nice
being able to enjoy breakfast without having to carry a conversation.
    We
didn’t live far from my school, but since I’d never walked before I was unsure
how long it would take. I walked as quickly as I could, but I didn’t get far
before I heard a car horn honk behind me. I turned around and was surprised to
see Eli rolling down his passenger window.
    “Want
a ride?” he asked.
    I
was relieved that I wouldn't have to walk to school after all. I had already
been late once to my first class, and I certainly didn't want to make it a
reoccurring thing.
     “Hey,
why are you driving down my street anyways?” I questioned as I climbed into his
car.
    “Well,
good morning to you too.”
    “Sorry,
I am just a little surprised that's all.”
    “I
usually cut through this neighborhood on my way to school. It's quicker. You’re
just a bonus today.” He smiled.
    The
compliment caught me off guard, but it made me smile anyway. I knew he didn’t
mean anything more than he was happy to hang out, but I couldn’t help it when
my ego lifted ever so slightly.
    “Well,
thanks for the ride.”
    “No
problem.”
    The
car was quiet for a long time. I hoped he wouldn’t bring