Free Deceptive Cadence by Katie Hamstead

it. You’ve had a rough day. I guess it’s not that great having guys into you.”
    I smiled and pushed her hand back. “No, really, keep it. I don’t wanna feel like I owe Brian any favors.”
    “I saw what he did,” she said softly. “I tried to get over to you, but Sean kept me back. You were lucky James came along when he did. I can’t believe he would do that.”
    “Who? Brian or James?”
    She paused and tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Both, actually.”
    “Cadence!” James burst out and fell to his knees in front of me. I pulled back in shock as he scrambled closer. “Just thank me.”
    “You’re crazy!” I answered in a high voice.
    “Fine, then let me kiss you.”
    “How is that any more likely than me thanking you?” His breath smelled rank, like he’d just smoked a box of cigarettes.
    “I keep saving you and you never thank me!”
    “Get away from me!”
    “But you’re so beautiful.”
    My heart skipped and I paused. Not hot? Not cute? I looked into his eyes. “What?”
    “You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”
    I held his gaze, completely stunned.
    Geri smacked him across the face. “Get lost and leave my friend alone!”
    My daze broke and I snapped back to reality. “Coming from a guy who’s probably high on something, that’s not very flattering.”
    His eyebrows lowered in frustration. “I’m not high―”
    “Hey!” We all jumped at my dad’s booming voice. He leaped out of the car, his gaze fixed on James. “You stay away from my daughter!”
    James backed away as Dad towered over him.
    “Cadence, Geri, get in the car.”
    Geri and I scurried to the car as Dad stepped back to it, his fierce stare never leaving James.
    “Did that boy try anything on you?” he snarled in the car.
    “No, Dad,” I answered.
    “What did he want?”
    I hesitated to answer. No matter which angle I approached it, he would get angrier. But Dad took my hesitance the wrong way.
    “If I see him near you again . . .” His hands clenched the steering wheel. “He looks like he’s on drugs or something. Cadence, you are not to hang out with people who use drugs!”
    “Dad,” I groaned.
    “We weren’t hanging out with him, Mr. Anderson,” Geri said. “He was trying to make Cadence thank him for stopping another guy from kissing her.”
    I backhanded Geri.
    “What!” Dad pulled the car over and turned to look at me. “Cadence Michelle Anderson―”
    “He didn’t kiss me!”
    “I should turn this car around right now and―”
    “Dad!”
    “Cadence, you’re not allowed to kiss a boy until you’ve graduated!”
    “Oh my gosh!”
    “Don’t give me that! I won’t have you turning into some drugged up, pregnant―”
    “ Dad !”
    He clenched his jaw. He studied me, taking in every inch of my face. Slowly, his expression softened. “Cadence, I only want what’s best for you. I don’t want some boy to come along and ruin everything.”
    “I know.”
    He took a deep breath and rubbed his eyes. “Let’s get you home.”
    He shifted the car into gear and we drove away. I glanced at Geri, who gave me an awkward look. She didn’t have a father in her life, so she didn’t know how to deal with my dad’s protective streak. She always felt uncomfortable when he went on his rants, and she never quite knew what to say or do around him. I squeezed her hand and smiled.
    She smiled back and mouthed, “Sorry.”
    I shrugged and leaned against her shoulder.
     

SIX
    Several weeks into the third term, the weather remained freezing. Even the layers of my school blouse, cardigan, and sweater, with my black scarf and beanie, and thick, navy tights under my skirt didn’t seem to keep the cold away.
    My teeth chattered as Geri and I huddled together under the small patch of sun peeking over the building. “I thought August was supposed to start warming up,” she said with a stutter.
    “Me too.”
    Brian walked over and wrapped his arms around us. I smiled gratefully up at