Free Run Like Hell by Elena Andrews Page A

Chelsea is popular but I highly doubt her party was A-List, and if it was, then it really sucks that I missed such an awesome party.
     
    By the end of the school day, I’m desperate to go home, eat, walk the dog and take a nap before the basketball game tonight. As I shuffle toward my bus, someone calls my name. It’s the boy from beneath the tree. I stop short. How does he know my name? He unlocks his bike from the rack and motions for me to come over. Hesitantly, I glance at my bus and then back at him. My curiosity gets the best of me.
     
    “You’re Morgan Butler, right?”
     
    He appears to be really young, like he belongs in junior high, not high school. His finger pushes his black rimmed glasses higher on the bridge of his nose. I have him beat in height by several inches.
     
    “Yeah, why?” I ask, eyeing my bus so I don’t miss it.
     
    “You met my brother this weekend,” he states.
     
    What’s he talking about? Is his brother the kid lurking around my house last night?
     
    “I don’t know who your brother is.”
     
    “Wow, you really do resemble his ex-girlfriend. Scary similar, actually,” he breathes in amazement.
     
    “Whose ex-girlfriend?” This kid is weird and he’s going to make me miss my bus.
     
    “My brother’s. Listen, I don’t want to hold you up but I need to talk to you. You’ll be at the basketball game tonight?” He swings his skinny leg over his bike, ready to pedal away. “Maybe we can talk there.”
     
    “Yeah, but what do we have to talk about?”
     
    “My brother,” he says, as if I should know what it’s regarding.
     
    My bus’s engine roars to life, sputtering exhaust in my direction and alerting me it’s time to leave. “I’m sorry, but I have no idea what you’re talking about and I have to go.” I back away. He opens his mouth to say something but remains quiet. I shrug and dash to catch my bus. Before the door closes, I jump aboard and find a seat. Through the window I spy him pedaling away.
     
    Weird. I text Traci about my cryptic conversation with lunch-boy. She confirms he’s creepy and probably wants my phone number.
     
    At home I’m anxious to crash. Tiger roams in the backyard while I make myself a snack in the kitchen and flop on the couch to watch TV. An Oprah repeat lulls me to sleep and I awake to Tiger barking on the deck. The house is eerily quiet and I realize Traci will be arriving to pick me up soon. I clear the dishes from the coffee table and dump them in the sink, then let the dog back inside. After showering and changing, I’m ready for my night with Jack. No word from Rory either.
     
    Rory has never been a constant in my life. She flutters in and out sporadically. She’ll visit for a holiday or family event, but will then miss the next one. Mom often complains about Rory’s lifestyle to my father. Ever since she started working at the law firm several years ago, she’s matured. Her days and nights are dedicated to the firm. She’s told me before that she’s trying to turn her life around.
     
    Through her hard work and overtime she’s eliminated all her financial debt and she’s currently saving to buy her own house. Plus, she likes to travel to warm, exotic locations when she’s not working and that leaves little time for her to visit. I’m not surprised that she’s not checking in on me. Being responsible for her seventeen-year-old niece isn’t something she’s familiar with.
     
    Traci honks when she pulls into the driveway. I finish feeding the dog, then lock up as I leave. Having forgotten to text mom and dad as promised, I send them a message while Traci drives us to the school. I attach a photo of myself in the car with her, saying we’re off to the basketball game. Dad responds by telling us to have fun. Two more days until Mom and Dad return and so far I’m in the clear with Saturday night’s events.
     
    Our school’s basketball team always draws a large crowd. The parking lot is full and