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

up the issue with
Pete. I was pretty sure I knew what I wanted to say; I just didn’t know if I
would have the guts to actually say it. Nothing ever came out the way I planned
in stressful situations. I tried hard to think of something to talk about that
would divert the attention away from that topic, but came up empty. The silence
seemed to drag on, and my hands fidgeted in my lap. I hated when I couldn't
think of anything to say.
    We
pulled into the crowded school parking lot, and Eli parked his car in the
middle of the lot He turned the car off and sat there staring straight ahead.
It was like he was trying to get the courage to ask something. I knew exactly
what he was thinking, and it was the precise subject I wanted to avoid.
    “Well,
off to another day of torture,” I said quickly to fill the silence.
    I
started to get out, wishing he would follow. He did.
    “Yep,”
he said solemnly.
    “Thanks
again for the ride, I really appreciate it. Plus, I got to ride in the most awesome
car!” I threw the last part in as a distraction.
    That
did it; he had a grin from ear-to-ear. I smiled back, knowing that I had at
least avoided that conversation for the time being. I did feel a little guilty about
toying with his emotions for my own personal gain, but I wasn’t going to fret
about it. The conversation would come in due time.
    We
walked into school together, but went our separate ways to class. I felt
excited to see Pete, despite everything that was said between Eli and I. When I
walked into the classroom, I saw he wasn't there yet and I was
disappointed—more disappointed than I cared to admit.
    He
walked in the door right as the bell rang, so he wasn’t technically late. That
was good, because otherwise he would have gone to “Sweep,” which was basically
detention during class. On the first day you were given an exception, but today
was different. If you were late from the second day of school on, you’d have to
go to Sweep. You aren't allowed to do anything there, not even homework, which
was a pointless waste of time in my opinion.
    In
his dark blue jeans and a green shirt that made his eyes stand out brilliantly,
he looked just as good as he had the day before.
    “Hey
Pete!” I said from behind him, trying to be as quiet as possible.
    “Hey,”
he whispered over his shoulder.
    I
wanted to talk to him more, but class was well underway. I would just have to
wait. The time ticked by slowly, and I was eagerly counting the minutes—30, 29,
28… I sat there tapping my foot as I anxiously anticipated the bell.
    A
white flash fell over Pete's shoulder. A note. My stomach did a flop as my
jittery fingers fumbled clumsily to open it. Pete had very neat, precise
handwriting.
     
                Abby,
                    So, are
we on for lunch?
                                    Pete
     
    I
quickly became keenly aware that I never let Bailey in on the fact that Pete
would be joining us. Hopefully Bailey wouldn’t mind, or so I hoped. I wrote him
back almost immediately.
     
     
                Pete,
                           Yep,
Bailey's in too.
                                    Abby
     
    Without
caring who was watching, I slipped it over his shoulder, slightly brushing him
with my hand. My stomach leapt at the brief contact. I felt a little more
careless when Pete was around. Maybe it was his sense of ease or his seemingly
careless personality.
    He
read my note, looked over his shoulder, and flashed his beautiful white smile.
I could have melted. What was wrong with me?
    I
saw him fold the note and put it away. I was dejected that he wasn't going to
write me another, but I should have been paying attention to Mr. Robbins
anyway. It would be very easy for me to fall behind in math, so I needed every
ounce of focus to keep my mind on track.
    Pete
walked me to my next class, and it was something I could get