The Face Read Online Free PDF

started. We found seats near the front. I always like to sit as close as possible. I don’t like people in front of me. I like to lose myself in the screen.
    Aaron sat between me and Justine with the bucket of popcorn on his lap. Justine and I helped ourselves.
    A couple of times I saw Justine’s hand brush against Aaron’s. I wondered if it was deliberate.
    Each time she touched him, I felt a cold chill.
    My phone rang a little after midnight. Startled, I grabbed up the receiver before the end of the first ring. “Hello?”
    â€œHi, it’s me.”
    â€œJustine?” I couldn’t hide my surprise. Aaron and I had just dropped her home half an hour earlier. “Are you okay?”
    â€œYeah. Fine. I … just wanted to talk.”
    I yawned and glanced at the clock. What is Justine’s problem? I asked myself. I spent the whole night with her.
    â€œWe didn’t really get a chance to talk,” she explained. “Pretty dumb movie, huh?”
    I carried the phone across the room and dropped down onto the edge of my bed. “Jim Carrey was funny,” I replied. “He’s so gross. He always makes me laugh.”
    â€œAaron laughed so hard, I thought he was going to choke!” Justine exclaimed.
    â€œYou know Aaron,” I said, straightening the sleeve of the long T-shirt I usually sleep in.
    And then I thought:
How well do you know Aaron, Justine?
    â€œHe’s usually the only one laughing at these movies,” I continued, shaking my bitter thought from my mind. “Aaron laughs at anything. Especially if it’s gross.”
    There was a long silence at Justine’s end. Then she blurted out, “I’m really so jealous of you.”
    â€œExcuse me?”
    My cat, Rooney, jumped up beside me on the bed. I gently pushed her back to the floor. She leaves white fur over everything.
    â€œYou heard me,” Justine said sharply. “I said I’m jealous. Aaron is such a great guy.”
    â€œYeah. He is,” I replied. Pretty lame. I admit it. But I didn’t know what else to say.
    I mean, what could I say to Justine?
“Is that why you’re coming on to him all the time?”
I could never say that. She’s my friend.
    And tonight she sounded kind of troubled.
    â€œAre you okay?” I asked.
    Another silence. I could hear her pacing back and forth in her room. I pictured her in pajamas, her red hair loose over her shoulders.
    â€œGuess I’m a little down,” she admitted, speaking softly.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” I demanded, pushing Rooney off the bed again. I leaned down to pet the cat, but she scurried out of my room.
    â€œNothing really. Everything. Nothing. Everything,” Justine replied. She loved talking in puzzles.
    I waited for her to explain.
    â€œI just started thinking about things tonight. Before the movie,” she continued. “You know. Different things. I had this long talk with my parents.”
    Uh-oh, I thought. Justine’s parents were the gloomiest, most depressing people in the world.
    â€œYou know I can’t go to college next fall.” Justine sighed, “There’s just no money. And my grades aren’t good enough for a scholarship.”
    She let out a bitter laugh. “I couldn’t get a scholarship to Waynesbridge Junior College!”
    The junior college is kind of a joke with Shadyside kids. We all call it High School II!
    â€œSo I have to stay home and work for a couple of years,” Justine continued. “You know. Save my money.” She sighed again.
    â€œIt’s a bad break,” I agreed. “But it isn’t the end of the world, Justine. I mean—”
    â€œYou’re lucky, Martha,” she interrupted. “You have nice parents. And they have enough money. You have Aaron. You’ve got really good grades. You’re a talented artist—”
    â€œJustine—stop!” I cried, jumping to my feet.