Shaping Destiny Read Online Free PDF Page B

of the
assignment. The more people that know, the more people that are in
danger. This is a one-man operation and that’s all I know.” He ran
his hand through his hair. “Here, I’ll walk you home but I am
afraid that’s where we say good-bye. You won’t see me or hear me
ever again unless I am needed.”
    “OK.” I looked down,
trying to hide my disappointment. I didn’t want to have feelings
for Max or to have a bodyguard, but I did have feelings and I was
just his assignment.
    Max came close to me and
raised my chin with his fist. “Don’t worry, I will always be
around, and I will always know when you’re in danger.”
    “How?” I
whispered.
    “I just will. Now let’s
get you home so you can stop shivering.”
    Yes I was shivering, but
it wasn’t from the cold.
     

CHAPTER SIX
    Our good-bye that night
felt like I lost my best friend. It didn’t make sense how I felt,
and my brain couldn’t understand the intense pull Max had over my
heart. There was no use in telling him how my body reacted to him,
or how my soul recognized him as someone important. How could you
tell someone whom you know so little about that you want to see
them again? Plus, I was his job and only an assignment. He told me
he couldn’t see me again. If that wasn’t hint enough, I don’t know
what was. It was for the best, anyway; I had a
boyfriend.
    Weeks had passed since
that night, and sometimes I wondered if everything that had
happened that night, including Max, was a dream. It was strange,
but even though we’d barely spoken and I couldn’t remember all the
details of his face, something in my soul ached for him. I tried to
hide the yearning behind homework and friends, but there was no
getting rid of it. Jared and I made the cut for the ballroom team,
so three days a week our team met for practice. Because dance was
my favorite enjoyment, it helped my mind stay focused on college
life.
    “Are you still doing
homework?” Melissa asked. The kitchen table turned into my favorite
place to bury into work. “The last couple weeks, if you’re not with
Jared you’re here for hours reading and writing. You need to get
out more, hang with the girls. There’s a stag dance going on at
campus. You should come. What is Jared doing right now?”
    “He’s with the ballroom
coach. She asked him to stay after and be the male dancer for a
high school team she teaches.”
    “Aw, he must be good at
what he does then.”
    “He always has been an
amazing dancer.”
    “So let him do his thing,
and you come with us. Gretchen, Tracy, and Summer are all
going.”
    I opened my book again. “I
don’t know.”
    “ You need to get out of
these books. Now, go get ready.” Melissa stood and pulled my arm
up.
    “OK, OK. I’ll
go.”
    ***
    Walking into the dance
with my friends sent a whole new feeling through me. The music
pumping and the other students’ energy rejuvenated my outlook of
the night. This was my element.
    “Go girl! I told you you
would have fun,” Melissa yelled over the DJ’s music.
    I nodded at her and
continued dancing my heart out.
    “I’m going to get a
drink,” I yelled.
    They followed me to the
water fountain, agreeing they too were thirsty. I took my turn but
then waited. Where we stood was above the rest of the dancers.
Every corner of the floor was packed, even the spot we once stood.
I scanned the crowed, but stopped when I saw him. Max stood at the
far corner across from me, arms folded, glancing over the
crowd.
    “Hey, Leah!” Melissa spun
me around. “What’s up? You look like you just saw a
ghost.”
    I turned briefly to where
Max stood, but he had already vanished.
    “I thought I saw
someone.”
    “Let’s go hit the floor
again. Tracy said she’s going to get a big circle going so you can
show off in the middle.”
    “Ha ha, very funny. I
won’t be doing that.” I followed her until my phone vibrated in my
pocket. “You go ahead. I’m going to step outside to take this
call.”
    She waved