Free Existence by Abbi Glines Page A

medication still messing with you?” he asked in a voice that helped bring me back to normalcy.
    He was normal. He was real.
    “Um, yes, I think it is.” If only I’d taken pain medicine this morning, like I kept claiming, then I could blame all this on chemicals. But I knew the truth. I hadn’t taken anything. I was going crazy all on my own.

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    * * * *
“I talked to Leif during Speech and I suggested the four of us go see a movie tonight to celebrate your return to school,” Miranda said from across the cafeteria table. I’d been so lost in my thoughts I hadn’t realized she’d sat down across from me.
    I glanced up. “That sounds like a great idea.” Miranda frowned, tilted her head, and leaned closer to me. “Are you okay?”
    I forced a smile and nodded. Convincing my best friend I wasn’t internally freaking out was going to be difficult. As expected, she raised her eyebrows and gave me the ‘I don’t believe you’ eye as she sat back. Luckily, Wyatt chose that moment to join us so she wouldn’t get a chance to probe me further.
    “Tonight after Leif gets done with football practice, we’re all going to the movies to celebrate Pagan’s recovery.” Wyatt glanced over at me with a concerned face. “You up for that?”
    I nodded. “Sure, I feel much better. I need to get away and do something normal.”
    Miranda’s smile returned. “Then it’s settled. Now, all that is left is to decide what movie we’re going to see.” Miranda’s eyes stared at something over my head. “Ugh, figures.” She said in a tone of disgust.
    I glanced back to see what she found so irritating. Kendra walked in with her arm tucked inside Dank’s elbow, smiling coyly up at him while he talked to her. He obviously enjoyed her attention. He wouldn’t be the first male to fall victim to her attentions. Kendra made a complete package of perfect, if you left out her personality. I turned my head back around, hoping I could cover up the churning emotions in my stomach. The sight of her on his arm made me a little sick.
    “It would be Kendra that got the rock star,” Miranda said 59

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    in a disgusted tone before taking a bite of her salad.
    “I hope I’m not hearing jealousy in your voice.
    Considering that would be a blow to my ego,” Wyatt said teasingly and Miranda glared up at him.
    “Of course not. I just wish Dank Walker hadn’t decided to give his attention to that skanky bitch. There are plenty of other beautiful girls in this school who would be much better choices.”
    Wyatt chuckled. “Like who?”
    Miranda shrugged. “I don’t know. Just someone who isn’t Kendra.” Wyatt laughed out loud and shook his head.
    “What did I miss?” Leif asked as he sat down beside me.
    “Nothing,” I responded a little too quickly.
    Wyatt nodded toward where Dank and Kendra sat at a table alone. “It appears Miranda thinks anyone would have been a better choice for the rock star than Kendra.” Leif nodded. “She’s probably right. But as long as he has stopped ogling my girl, I don’t care who he gives his attention to.”
    Miranda raised her eyebrows at me in surprise. “Really, he’s been ogling you?”
    I rolled my eyes. “No.” My quick response didn’t even sound believable to my own ears.
    “Yes, he has,” Leif said, reaching for my hand under the table. He gave me a gentle squeeze as if to reassure me. I sighed and relaxed. No point arguing with him. I knew Dank watched me more often than anyone else. I hadn’t realized how possessive I felt toward him until I’d seen Kendra getting his attention. He could go sing Kendra to sleep with his guitar and hauntingly beautiful music. I heard a low chuckle and turned to look at both Leif and Wyatt whose mouths were full of food. I froze and glanced back at the table where Dank sat in a private conversation with Kendra.
    His eyes left hers and gave me an amused glance before turning back to the perfect blond beside