This Ordinary Life Read Online Free PDF Page B

it’s prime rib sandwich night.”
    â€œNot asparagus night?” She jokes.
    â€œGod no!” I grimace and Mom laughs at the depth of my hatred for the vegetable.
    â€œAnyway, I gotta run.” I hike my backpack up on my back.
    â€œHave a good day,” Mom answers while she fills her coffee mug again.
    S INCE F RANKIE NEVER answered my text, I start walking. With all my thoughts spiraling in every direction, the walk to school goes faster than I remember it used to. I’m only a few blocks away, walking in the shade of the huge and gorgeous elms on Park Street, when Frankie’s green Jetta pulls up next to me, windows down.
    â€œSo sorry! I was running late and didn’t get your text!” She yells across the passenger seat, looking at me over the dark sunglasses she’s let slip down her nose.
    â€œNo worries,” I say as I pull the door open. I plop into my seat and turn to my best friend, anxiety coiling through me. “Tell me everything. Are the rumors as bad as I think they are?”
    Frankie slams the car into drive and speeds away from the curb, her dark, perfectly straightened hair blowing toward her open sunroof. “Who cares about that crap? I already told you Sebastian is playing the victim.” She rolls her eyes.
    â€œYeah, but I want details. I need to know exactly what I’m getting myself into.”
    Frankie huffs and makes a right turn instead of the left that takes us to school.
    â€œUh, Frankie?”
    â€œCoffee first,” she says, pursing her bubblegum pink lips. “Always, coffee first.”
    I stare at her, waiting for her to start talking, but she looks straight ahead, her eye on the prize. Frankie is nothing if not seriousabout coffee. I lean forward and turn on her radio, flipping it to AM.
    â€œWho’s broadcasting this morning?” she says, eying the digital numbers that flash across the screen.
    â€œProbably Romeo or Justine.” I shrug. I’m one of the only serious radio students at Easton this year, and even though there are a few others who host the morning and afternoon radio shows, most of them are into the production side of things. Or signed up just to look good on college applications. “Who cares. I’m more interested in what Big Dee is playing these days.”
    Frankie turns to me, eyebrows raised. She smacks my hand away and turns the radio off. “Are you crazy? Are you not tortured enough this morning?”
    â€œFine. But there’s nothing wrong with seeing what the competition is up to.” I sit back against the seat and look out the window. And it’s true. Chester High, only a few towns over, is the only nearby school with a decent radio station. And DJ Big Dee, as she goes by, though she’s nothing more than a tiny little thing, is pretty much the only other decent high school DJ around. Last year they had a local spin-off contest for high school DJs at the Bentley County holiday bazaar, and she and I were the two finalists. Even after three additional sets each, it was declared a tie. I don’t listen to her show often, but I’m not stupid. I’m sure she’s applying for the WYN60 internship too. I’m also not stupid enough that I think she’s my only competition. I’m sure DJs from all over are applying for the high school internship spot. I may need it more than them, but if I have to lose, it better not be to her. Of course that’s
if
I even have a chance of going for it at this point.
    Anyway. First things first.
    â€œCome on,” I say. “Give me the details on the Sebastian situation. It’s like, your top duty as my best friend.”
    â€œShhh.” She pulls into a parking spot and nods to the coffee shop. “Coffee first.”
    Once we have our iced coffees she turns to me in the parking lot. “It’s messy,” she says. “But overall you don’t have to worry, I think, because people probably