Zombified Read Online Free PDF Page A

again. A weak smile played at her lips. “So, what were you up to all summer?”
    I cleared my throat and stared at my coffee. This very normal question really stumped me. I felt like I’d grown up in a bomb shelter and knew nothing of the world outside. I opened my mouth to say something, when Phil answered for me.
    â€œShe was grounded all summer.”
    I fought for air as my throat constricted. That was true, of course, but I think I might have taken a different tack. Phil sipped his drink and I felt Crystal’s gaze fall on me.
    â€œWhy was that?” she asked.
    I glared at Phil and I hoped that he’d either die instantly or at least keep his stupid piehole zipped tight.
    â€œI just got in some trouble,” I said. My cheeks grew hot and I clenched my teeth. Slipping into embarrassment was one of my least favorite things, even though it happened pretty often.
    â€œWhat sort of . . .” Crystal’s voice faltered. She looked from Phil, who was doing his best to pretend he was somewhere far away, to me. Her smile fell away. God, she probably imagined the worst. Was she at the table with a cannibal? Had I been caught selling babies? “What sort of trouble?”
    There was really no way to sugarcoat it. I took a deep breath and just dived in.
    â€œI admitted to my dad that I’d been selling drugs.”
    Crystal was in mid-sip and I thought she was going to choke on her coffee. She coughed and sputtered and set her cup down so hard that foam shot out through the hole in the plastic top. A few of the people in surrounding tables looked over at us.
    â€œWhat kind of drugs?” Crystal demanded.
    The people around us had gone from glancing to staring. Business dudes, moms with little kids, a cute couple on their first date. They’d all gone from living their lives to being cast as extras in an episode of The Wire .
    â€œCrystal,” I said and got no further.
    â€œWhat drugs, Courtney?” she said. Her voice was quieter, but now she leaned forward and gritted her teeth. I fought the urge to move away from her. “And did Brandon know?”
    â€œIt was Vitamin Z,” I whispered. My stomach flopped a couple of times. “And yes, Brandon knew.”
    Crystal shot up out of her chair, which skidded back and tipped over. The sound was like a gunshot in the now-silent coffee shop. All eyes were on the Crystal and Courtney show.
    Phil put his hands on the table and kept his eyes on Crystal. I think he was getting ready to jump in in case she decided to come across the table after me. Instead, she grabbed up her bag.
    â€œSee you around, Courtney,” she said. Her tone told me she wasn’t going to be seeking me out again anytime soon. She marched to the door. On the way out, she stopped and turned. “And say ‘hi’ to Brandon when you see him.” Then she was gone.
    I kept my gaze down at the table, studying the grain on the fake wood like its pattern held some sort of secret. Phil stood and walked away. A second later, I heard him pick up the chair and replace it at the table. Then he came around and put his hand on my arm. I gasped at his touch and almost pulled away, but I let him help me to stand.
    â€œLet’s go,” he said.
    I nodded. The light in the shop looked funny, and I realized it was because tears were messing with my sight. I blinked and wet trails ran down my cheeks. Great. I knew from experience how shitty I looked after crying.
    Phil held on to my upper arm and guided me out onto the street. The sounds of traffic and conversation were a welcome change from the silence we’d just left. Though I did hear more than one person stop talking as they saw me walking past.
    â€œI’m sorry,” Phil said.
    â€œWhy?” I asked, and my voice barely reached my own ears.
    â€œI just am,” he said. “Because that sucked. Because she was shitty to you. Take your pick.”
    â€œShe was right to be