The Secret Trinity Unearth Read Online Free PDF Page B

narrowed her eyes on me.
    “We have heard this before Ari. You cannot seem to help yourself. You are too nice, and too trusting with guys. They never get to see the strong-willed Ari who speaks her mind without caring what everyone thinks. That’s the Ari we know. For some reason you tuck her away, and it comes back to hurt you, literally!”
    With that last word, Kayla yanked down the right sleeve on my t-shirt to expose the bruising over the peak of my shoulder. The bruises had started to heal and were now a light yellow-green, but the shape was the unmistakable form of thick fingers. I had another set on my left shoulder to match.
    I had been hiding them from my parents all week, and I tried not to look at them. I had been hiding them from myself too. I shut my eyes to stave off the sting of tears starting to rise.
    “I know Kayla. I know. That is why I want to make a vow, no more men!” I heard the quiver in my voice. At any moment I could lose control, but I sniffed it back, sucking in a deep breath.
    “I need to take a break from guys.” I pointed to my shoulder as Kayla was still holding onto my t-shirt.
    “I am never going to let this happen again.” I concluded with a huff. Kayla looked at Morgan, and then me.
    “Okay good. I want that for you too. The three of us will make a pact to swear off men this semester. It will make it easier if we a stick together.” She said it with a thoughtful smile, which was a twist from Kayla’s usually blunt personality, so I knew she meant it.
    Beside me on the bean bag chair Morgan spoke up, “That will be easy for me since I don’t waste my time or energy on them to begin with. I will be too busy with school anyway. You have yourself a deal.”
    Morgan stuck her arm out with her palm shaped like a blade facing the floor. Kayla followed suit and placed her palm on the top of Morgan’s. They looked at me expectantly.
    I can do this I thought. Gently I placed my hand on top of Kayla’s to complete the triad. We bowed them down and released like a break in a football huddle.
    We cut the movie short, deciding to go to bed. Our first day of school started bright and early the next day. We all attempted to squeeze in the bathroom to get ready for bed, which was comical. The only way it worked was if I brushed my teeth while standing in the shower. With our goodnights said, Morgan headed off to her private quarters and Kayla climbed up the ladder to the top bunk of our shared room.
    I lay awake in the dark on the bottom bunk. I stared mindlessly at the glowing star stickers that I had placed above my head to remind me of home. No more men…I could be strong. No more men…I could do this. I chanted this in my head over and over, far from sleep. I had a sinking feeling that another restless night of dreaming about the black haired stranger was ahead.

Chapter 7: First Impressions
     
     
    I sprang upright almost hitting my head on the bunk bed frame, momentarily forgetting where I was. I scanned the room remembering it was my first day of school. Then I glanced at the clock and cursed under my breath. I had hit the snooze button on my alarm clock once too often, and it still felt like I had not slept at all.
    When I jumped out of bed to get ready, I realized I was alone. Kayla and Morgan had classes scheduled earlier, leaving the bathroom free. However, with only ten minutes to put myself together, there was no time to shower, and I cursed myself again.
    I would have liked to look a bit more polished on my first day, but I had been running late my whole life, so I was used to a fast morning routine. I dotted on some under eye concealer to cover the dark circles from my restless night. Luckily, I had always been blessed with a clear complexion so I did not need much else for make-up. I swept on some blush, lightly skimmed a coat of black mascara on my lashes, brushed my teeth and ran a comb through my hair.
    I threw on a dark jean skirt and pulled on a red fitted t-shirt over