Who is Mackie Spence? Read Online Free PDF Page B

could not breathe.
    â€œJeremy, have you read the story of the man who wakes up in bed and believes he’s become an insect?” Mackie asked.
    â€œKafka. The Metamorphosis .”
    â€œIs it real or is it a dream? Or maybe it’s an explanation of how life is lived,” she said.
    Mackie paused. “I’m telling you this because you have questions. But I’m still trying to figure things out myself.”
    I nodded, wanting her to explain more.
    â€œAfter the accident this summer, I’ve felt different. What’s important to me has changed so much that most of our friends would be surprised. I don’t think you would, though.” She stopped and our eyes locked.
    As if some invisible force guided us, we moved our heads closer. We kissed! I’d kissed three other girls in my life, once on a dare when I was thirteen, then there was my ninth-grade crush Robin Pembroke, and last year a couple of times with Cat Morley.
    But this was different! It was a really sweet kiss, like we were taking each other’s lips’ taste and temperature. Her lips felt warm and soft; their taste, a little salty. As the kiss lengthened, I felt an electric shock run through my body. Finally, I adjusted my arm because it started to ache. I moved so that I could sit closer to her and our second kiss lit me up inside. I could have spent the rest of the night exploring her lips.
    Hearing a noise at the front door, we quickly parted. Mackie’s dad, Nick Spence, stepped out on the porch and asked if we wanted to come in for popcorn and a late movie.
    I heard Mackie sigh. “No thanks, Dad. It’s a nice night to sit outside.”
    â€œOkay, but it’s a thriller.”
    After Mr. Spence left, Mackie laid her head on my shoulder again. “I’ve wondered what kind of a kisser you were. Definitely worth the wait. Who knew you’d be so hot after all these years,” she added, grinning.
    â€œYou think I’m hot?”
    â€œYeah. You don’t know how many girls are crushing on you.”
    She said it very matter-of-factly, but it was hard for me to believe. I’ve never seen myself that way. I was the “average” kid.
    I laughed a little. “I think you’re talking about the wrong person. Do you know how many guys practically self-combust when you’re around?”
    She smiled and shifted to look at me. “I hope we can see more of each other,” she said.
    â€œYeah, I’d really like that. I mean, I like being with you.”
    Mackie grinned.
    Uh-oh. Saying more could get me in trouble. I was suddenly aware of the time. “Hey, Ben’s picking me up at a quarter of six tomorrow. Maybe I can call you in the afternoon?” She looked pleased. “After I get back?”
    â€œCool,” she said.
    I jogged home, with my flashlight bobbing and my head spinning. A soft breeze tickled at my nose. Who knew it was possible to feel so happy? Even my feet felt lighter. And I managed to return home before my parents. Outstanding!
    â€¢ • •
    I stand in the cool morning air on our front porch, my mushy memories interrupted all-too-soon by the sound of Ben’s Honda crunching down our gravel drive. He looks tired, and I probably look far worse. I had six and a half hours of sleep last night, more like five factoring in the time I spent in bed trying to calm down after returning home.
    Ben pulls into the school’s courtesy lot, next to our teammates whose cars are parked in a tight pack by the main entrance. We haul our gear bags from the back seat. The guys bounce on their feet to keep warm as they huddle around Coach. Everyone’s together, except for Cole Pinchot and Brody. Cole is a senior, our Number Two runner, and a real morning person. He stands close to Brody, jabbering. Brody looks ready to smack him.
    Brody. I will probably have to deal with him about what happened last night with Number 26. To my relief, he