Siren's Song Read Online Free PDF Page B

eyes yesterday flashes in the back of my closed eyelids.
    â€œHey!” A deep voice chops through me with precision, blasting my shallow breathing to smithereens.

3
    â€œHe who sings frightens away his ills.” ~Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote
    â€œBrother!”
    I realize the voice is coming from the other hall, where Luke and Taylin are whispering. I barely hear the thump of sneakers against the linoleum over my pounding heart. My mind is still reeling over the word “kill.”
    â€œLucas! It’s about time you showed up.” I don’t have to look to know that bellowing voice. It’s usually yelling numbers on the football field. Matt Kenzie, Varsity quarterback, big, untouchable, Mr. Football. He goes through girls like they’re a favorite drink of the week and yet they keep falling for his strength and good looks. Stupid. Even Carly crushed on him last year.
    â€œHe goes by Luke this time,” Taylin says. This time?
    â€œWe should talk somewhere else,” Luke says softly. I can hear thumping like he’s patting Matt’s back, or vice versa. “But yeah, it’s good to see you, too.”
    â€œI think Lucas has found his—”
    â€œNot here,” Luke overrides Taylin. “Let’s go.”
    I wait until they disappear down the corridor and count to ten before I stumble to my locker. I can’t seem to stop shaking long enough to turn the combination. Kill? Did they say kill ? Who has Luke found? The hairs on my arms stand at full alert as I remember the brutal stare Luke gave me yesterday. Brother? Is that just slang? Is Luke a gang member? Questions whiz around my head like a swarm of killer bees until my temples throb. I shove several books into my book bag.
    â€œThere you are.”
    I swivel, my hand against my chest.
    Carly stands with her hands out like I’m an armed lunatic. “Jule? I was wondering what happened to you.”
    I’m breathing so hard it could be panting.
    â€œHell, Jule. You okay?”
    â€œNot really.” I focus on my breathing, slowing it down.
    â€œAre you hyperventilating?’
    â€œI don’t know. You’re the doctor.”
    â€œYou are.” Carly rushes over. “Sit down and put your head on your knees.”
    I’m too tingly to tell her not to worry. So I sit and inhale and exhale while she roots around my locker, looking for something for me to breathe into. It’s the first day of school and I’m going to have a nervous breakdown. Maybe that would get me out of the musical. Maybe Dad will have to ship me off to be with Mom at the psychiatric hospital. Kill ? I couldn’t have heard that.
    Carly squats down next to me. “Let’s get you home.” I just love Carly. She slings my pack on my back and loops an arm through mine. We walk outside arm in arm. The cheer squad is sitting on one of the picnic tables, flipping their hair and whispering about whatever tidbit is making the gossip rounds. I probably qualify.
    I inhale deeply as Carly opens the passenger door. “Thanks,” I murmur and she smiles.
    â€œNo problemo, sista.”
    As she pulls out of her spot, I see Taylin, Matt, and Luke near Taylin’s beat up four-door. Luke’s eyes lock with mine through the windshield. My breath feels paralyzed.
    â€œWell, at least he’s not scowling this time,” Carly says.
    All three of them look our way. Luke has a lazy grin on his face. “Although,” Carly whispers and hits the up button on her window, “Matt and Taylin seem pissed about something.” Carly glances at me but doesn’t ask. “Let’s get you home.”
    The trees flash by as I stare out the passenger window. Carly turns G106 on the radio and sings along with a new song that just hit the charts. I don’t. Out of habit, so as not to cause Carly to wreck.
    Two little tones sound from my book bag. A text. I fish around in the nylon side pocket