Seeing Red Read Online Free PDF Page A

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my room, but it’s not really my room; it is where most of us sleep.
I can’t let anyone see me cry because then they laugh at me. But
I’m just so mad I can’t stop crying. I think I will make Oliver my
new best friend. At least he doesn’t push me. But he’s boring.
    I don’t want to write every day, but Helen makes me.
She says it helps teach me to write and it helps so that we can
remember the things that happened on the island when we are rescued
one day. She tries to make the boys write too, but they never
do.
    I keep seeing strange things. I’m scared of telling
anyone because no one ever believes me when I tell them. Xander
calls me a freak, and Oliver laughs at me and then ignores me. I
keep seeing a big boat and lots of rain. Why can’t anyone else see
it? It’s right over there by the mangroves where Helen and the
others don’t let us go. Maybe they know it’s there. They are afraid
we’ll get hurt trampling around the mangroves, but they should go
see the boat. I think the people on the boat are hurt, and it’s
raining very hard by the boat, but it isn’t raining here.
    I’m going to find a prettier shell and hide it and
never show anyone so that Xander can’t get it from me. Maybe I’ll
show it to Oliver; he won’t throw it.
    Jilly
    “Jesus, Jill, you wrote about us a lot. You really
hated Alexander.” Oliver said.
    “Well, he is a pain in the ass, and apparently, you
were a bore. I seem to indicate that a lot too.” She elbowed
Oliver’s rib. “Anyway, guys, no more for today.” She started
packing up the notebooks; her face was crimson.
    “Jillian Stone, are you blushing?” Alexander reached
out to touch her cheek, but Jillian slapped his hand away.
    “No. I’m just . . . I’m tired. Long day.”
    “You hate it when people know you’re sad, and now
it’s right there—on paper and all over your red face.” He tapped
the page and then reached over and tapped her cheek.
    “God, Alexander, you’re such a . . . Arghh.” Jillian
was frustrated beyond the ability of making a coherent
statement.
    “You just hate when I call you out on things.”
    “Shut up, Alexander. You’re just as bad as Jillian.
You never say anything that shows any sort of vulnerability either.
Leave her alone.” Oliver said, helping Jillian pack up.
    “Vulnerability? You’re boring. She’s right. Oh, and
stuck up too. Who says things like that anyway? Vulnerability.
Pfft! You’re such a chick.” Alexander scowled.
    “Anyway,” Oliver shook his head, “so when do you
have to return to Georgetown, Jillian?”
    “Georgetown?” Alexander asked, confused.
    “Yes, she just started Georgetown. She got a
scholarship. Our girl here was valedictorian at St. Mary’s,” Oliver
said proudly.
    “How do you know?” Alexander asked.
    “Because, Brother, unlike you, I care about other
people, and Jillian and I have kept in touch during the last seven
years.”
    “Your little underhanded remarks are starting to get
on my nerves, Oliver.”
    Oliver shook his head and didn’t respond.
    “Anyway, I have to be back in a week, but I may just
head back tomorrow.” Jill replied.
    “Why?” Alexander asked, sounding a little
irritated.
    “I don’t know. I have no reason to stay. I don’t
want to stay in a depressing hotel for an entire week, and I have
some studying to do. I don’t know anyone here, and I haven’t
finished unpacking at the dorms and . . .” Oh God, why can’t I
just shut up!
    “Red, you’ve just given us like ten reasons. What
gives? Why don’t you just stay at Oliver’s apartment with us, and
we can hang out like old times?”
    “Ugh, don’t call me Red, Xander! I hate that name.
Plus, you’ve just invited me to stay at a place that isn’t even
yours.”
    “No, he’s right. Come stay with us. Alexander can
sleep on the couch, and you can take his room. Give us a week of
your time before you go back.”
    “Wait! I wasn’t suggesting that I sleep on
the couch!” Alexander