Free The Dark Light by Sara Walsh

school steps, staring at the beast as if it were my nemesis, here to vanquish me.
    “Mia?”
    “I know,” I snapped. “I’m getting on the wretched thing.”
    As soon as I spoke, I realized it wasn’t the usual scolding voice in my head. I spun around. Then I cringed.
    Sol stood behind me. He glanced at the bus.
    “You crept up on me,” I said, wanting to add “Again!” I was curious, though, about what he wanted.
    “Sorry about that.”
    I couldn’t help but accept his apology. The piercing intensity had gone from his eyes and—did I dare say it?—he appeared approachable . Of course, approachable is easy when you have the upper hand. I mean, he had just caught me talking to myself.
    “In my defense,” I said. “I don’t always talk to myself. I was getting psyched up for the bus.”
    For the first time ever, Sol Crowley smiled. And what a smile it was. It reached every part of his face, especially his eyes. At the same time, with a subtle shrug, he shifted his weight, left to right. His wide shoulders relaxed. His long, tanned arms hung loose at his side, and suddenly he didn’t seem as intimidating as the Sol I’d first spoken to only days before.
    “You should sit next to that kid who’s licking the windows,” he said.
    It was intriguing to hear him speak again. He had that sexy voice that came from somewhere deep inside his chest, one I could listen to all day. I was going to prom with Andy, but I was still human. Sol was hot. There was no way around it. I smiled too.
    “Who, Ike?” I said. I pointed to the bus where Ike Greenwald was, indeed, licking the windows. “He’s my best bud.”
    The bus door closed.
    “I should go,” I said, though for some reason, I really didn’t want to. Yes, I’d made my decision yesterday: No more dark, moody mysteries. Life from here on in was going to be light, bright, and fluffy. But Sol was smiling, making jokes. And I was curious— everyone was curious—about him. Besides, I still had to return his book.
    Two girls approached from the right, walking straight at Sol, obviously hoping to brush past him by the giggly expressions on their faces. Without so much as a sideways glance, he leaned away, foiling their plan. He had to have known he was their target, but he didn’t acknowledge it. I guess when you looked as good as Sol, you got used to being stared at all day.
    Torn, I glanced at the bus. Ike’s face was still pressed against the glass. Time for a decision. Get on the bus now or risk being late for my shift.
    “I’ll give you a ride,” said Sol, as if reading the torment on my face. “I can’t let you put yourself through that.”
    His motivation for the offer was a mystery. Maybe he wanted to talk about the dream bird or last night on the river. Maybe he’d finally decided to try to make friends at Crownsville High. But a ride? I didn’t know anything about him. Would I get into a car with a potential psychopath? Even if he was a cute one? Apparently, yes.
    “I’m actually heading to work,” I said. “At Mickey’s. On Main.”
    “I’ve seen you there.”
    The bus pulled away. Decision made. Sol Crowley was about to drive me to work.
    Everyone takes a turn feeling watched when they are in high school, but strolling across the parking lot with Sol, I knew every eye was on us. Word was bound to reach Andy that Mia Stone had climbed into the new kid’s truck. Half the school already knew Andy had asked me to prom. I felt my reputation begin to tatter. But it was too late to turn back. Sol actually held open the passenger door of his truck. He gestured for me to climb in.
    “Unless you think I’m the kiddie snatcher too,” he said.
    My cheeks burned as soon as he said it. “Of course not,” I replied, and to prove the point, I got in.
    But I wondered if I’d made the right choice when Sol got in and closed the door behind him. The cabin suddenly felt very small. His long limbs and broad shoulders filled the space. He pulled out