Free Impossibly True (Impossibly Duology) by Shane Morgan Page A

deliberating
whether or not he was really ready. On top of that, Vanessa was still in her
zone. She hadn’t replied to any of my texts since hearing that Tobias kissed
me, and by Friday, I figured she wasn’t going to drive back to Berlin Heights
with me. Oh well. I wanted to hang out with Branden before going home anyway,
since I had my final exam today.
      
He picked me up on campus and we drove downtown, where we had dinner then
stopped by Sound Box afterwards to chill for a while—the social club
he’d brought me to hours after kissing me for the first time. It was also the
night I realized more than ever that he was sick.
      
The place was packed tonight. We made it through a group of college kids
celebrating the end of their finals, and found a spot at the bar. Branden
quickly browsed the club, but there weren’t any empty chairs anywhere.
       Locked out of Heaven reverberated through the tight crowd; people
shouted so they could hear each other. The overall atmosphere wasn’t as
relaxing as that time when we came here. Tonight, it was suffocating and more
like a sweat fest.
      
“You wanna go?” Branden asked, pushing up to my ear. He probably read the
discomfort on my face.
      
“It’s too tight. We can go somewhere else.”
      
He brought his arm around my waist. “Anywhere else won’t be safe tonight. Too
much drinking, partying, you name it. But we can just go by the docks or
whatever; up to you.”
      
Nodding my agreement, he took my hand and led me towards the exit. When we approached
the doors, Tobias entered with his friends. They were just as brawny as he was.
An arrogant air radiated from their bodies.
      
Tobias glimpsed me as I went by him with Branden. Shit.
       “Moya! Hey!” he followed me outside.
      
Branden slowed and glanced back at Tobias, confused.
      
“I didn’t know you did clubs. Well, I guess even bookworms need a break
sometime.” 
      
I scoffed, “Whatever,” then nudged Branden to keep walking with me back to his
car. He seemed troubled by another guy calling my name. To make things worse,
Tobias jogged up and gripped me by the elbow.
      
Branden put a hand up in front of his chest, demanding, “Get your hand off
her!”
      
My heart rushed. I was both surprised and excited by his protectiveness.
      
Tobias obliged, an unreadable expression formed on his face as he eased away.
“Whoa, be cool.”     
      
“Let’s go,” I said to Branden, trying to stop the rising tension from
exploding.    
      
I heard Tobias snort behind us as we walked away. “Are you serious? This can’t
be the so-called boyfriend you dissed me for? He’s not even one of us.”
    “What did you say?” Branden spun and started back towards
him. I hurried to stop him.
    “Babe, don’t. He’s not worth it. Let’s just go, okay?”
    His jaw twitched; his veins bulged as if they were going to
pop any moment. I hadn’t seen Branden so enraged before.
    Nervously, I pulled his hand, wanting for us to get to his
car and drive away. I was pissed at Tobias for his ignorant remarks. But I
wasn’t going to let Branden fight him. Not with his previous health scare.
    Swallowing his pride, he turned and continued with me down
the sidewalk to his car.
    Then as if to provoke him further, Tobias called out, “See,
Moya. Your boy’s a coward!”
    Shit! There was nothing I could do after that.
    Branden twirled and rushed past me. I hastened to stop him,
but I was too late. He lurched at Tobias, landing the first blow.
    Spectators waiting by the club entrance roared in excitement
instead of coming to break up the fight. I placed my hands on top of my head,
frustrated.
    “Stop it! Branden, stop!” I yelled.
They weren’t listening to me at all.
    I winced and peered away fast as Tobias gave him a punch to
the face. Glancing back to them, I realized it hadn’t thrown Branden off too
much. He coughed a bit, then charged Tobias again,
knocking him over onto the