Free Duality: Vol 1, Melancholia (A New Adult Paranormal Romance) by Elle Casey

fall in love with Rae, he’d lighten up and not want to be around me so much.  And not be as sad and depressed.  I couldn’t have another kid’s suicide on my conscience.  One success and two near-misses were more than enough, thank you very much.
    I jerked the laces of my shoe really hard, making the knot as tight as I could.  It seems stupid, but I always made sure that nothing could slow me down, not even untied laces.  When it was time to run, I had to be ready to run.  A shoe tripping me up could be the difference between getting away and having an out of control Miserable going ballistic on my ass.  That was never fun.
    I got up and took my backpack out of the locker.  After pulling my lock off the door and dropping it into a side pocket of my bag, I left the room and went out into the gym.  I walked over to the bleachers and took a spot halfway up, about six rows down from Jasmine.  Before I turned to face the court, I gave her a nod.  I meant for it to be an apology, but I wasn’t sure she took it that way.  She scowled at me and stuck out her tongue.
    My plan was to sit there and zone out for the rest of the period, dreaming of the log cabin I was going to live in up in the mountains one day, when my thoughts were interrupted by a wad of paper hitting me on the side of the head.
    I turned to my right.  Kootch was gesturing from down the bench, pointing at the crumpled up paper at my feet.
    I rolled my eyes.  Apparently he was back to being Happy Caden and now wanted to chat.
    I bent over and picked up the paper, opening it up and smoothing it out over my leg.
    Meet me after class.  We need to plan this detention.
    I just faced forward and shook my head, No .  The only plan I had was to take off as soon as that bell rang so I could disappear in the crowds.  I had three more classes before the end of the day, all of them without Kootch or Jasmine in them.  Hopefully, I wouldn’t see that Rae girl either.
    Another wad of paper hit me, this time in the chest.
    I whipped my head sideways and scowled at Kootch.  “Stop!” I whispered loudly.
    “Mr. McNamara!”  Mrs. Hatcher was yelling across the court.  “Eyes front!  No talking!”
    I waved at her and bent over, picking up the paper casually and waiting until she was turned around before opening it.
    U have to help me w/R.  Do it.  Don’t B a pussy.
    I flipped Kootch off, not even looking at him.
    A minute later another piece of paper hit me, this time in the side of my nose.  I let it drop to my feet, ignoring it and Kootch.
    “Dude!” he whisper-yelled.  “Better pick it up!”
    I sighed heavily.  Reaching down, I grabbed the paper and opened it.
    Wait 4 me or I’ll tell everyone u were checking out my junk in the locker room.
    I laughed.  I couldn’t help it.  Kootch was totally mental.  I looked over.  “Fine.  Dick.”
    He smiled enthusiastically and gave me a thumbs up.
    I sensed a movement out of the corner of my eye and looked over.  Rae was sitting above us, several rows back.  She was staring at me.
    I turned away, but not before I caught her smiling.
    My face burned bright red.  I could feel it on my ears too, so I leaned over and put my forearms on my legs, lowering my head down so she wouldn’t see me.  The last thing I needed was some Miserable hooking herself to me when Kootch was hot on her tail.
    Why does life have to be so friggin complicated?   I twisted my arm and stared at my watch, willing time to go slowly for a change.  I really didn’t want to go to my next class with Kootch next to me, listening to him plan how he was going to get Rae to go out with him.  All I could think about was how soft her body had been under mine, when I landed on her like a completely uncoordinated moron.  I’d felt her soft chest push up into mine for a few seconds, and she’d smelled like flowers.  The memory of it made my blood stir and my body heat up.
    Oh, shit.  Think un-sexy thoughts, think un-sexy