Free Book of Revenge by Abra Ebner Page A

shocked she’d actually done what I’d implied.
    I guess she really did like me.
     
     
     
    Jane:
     
    I rolled the note over and over in my hand under the desk. I’ll be there to pick you up, I promise, is what it read. I tapped my fingers on the book, rushing through the words in front of me and trying to retain as much information as possible, though my mind was undeniably distracted.
    I wanted to know what Winter Wood was, and I wanted Max to quit skipping class and leaving me to fend for myself. His absence was not allowing me the chance to discuss this apparent magickal city with him, as I’m sure he knew. I saw Wes watching me from the corner of my eye. I ignored him. What had Max said to him? What was it that had Wes so visibly disturbed all week?
    Wes’s leg began to shake nervously. I glared at him. “Wes, stop that,” I hissed, quickly looking to make sure the teacher hadn’t noticed.
    Wes’s foreseen death invaded my mind, quickly changing from being murdered, to getting hit by lightning, and then to a bout of extreme anxiety ending in a heart attack. He was dramatically freaking out—my attempt at concentration was useless.
    Giving up, I let my full attention fall on him. His hand was flicking about, finger dancing in the air. His gaze remained on the field outside. I wanted to laugh, but quelled it, carefully peering over his shoulder instead. To my surprise, there was a large owl perched on the fence. I frowned, watching as it took off and rounded the lot. Wes’s attention turned back to the book in front of him, until he noticed me gawking.
    “ What was that?” I mouthed.
    He just blinked, at a loss of words, keeping it to himself. I hated when he played dumb.
    “Jane. Wes. Please stop talking.” Mrs. West’s voice was like ice as it ran down my spine.
    I blushed, my eyes darting back to the words in the book, trying to act attentive. Wes also went back to reading, and I wished for a moment we could talk telepathically—it didn’t happen.
    The bell finally rang a few minutes later. Wes shot out of his seat, slamming the book shut and shoving it in his bag. He dashed for the door, not bothering to address me.
    Hurrying to keep up, sweat began to form on my brow. I stopped him before he all but darted out of the room, snatching his arm at the last possible second. “Wes, wait. What’s going on?”
    He didn’t want me to stop him, tugging against my restraint. “Do you need a ride?” he blurted, his body practically shaking with anxiety.
    I was confused. “ Er … no. But, what’s—”
    “I gotta run, Jane. I’m sorry.” He slipped out of my grasp, moving for the door.
    I scrambled to follow, the door hitting me on my way out. I winced, but shrugged it off. “Wes, what’s going on? Just tell me.” I tried to grab him again, but he shrugged out of my grasp. I had to practically run beside him down the hall, dodging one student after another. “What’s up with the owl?” I was breathless.
    He looked sideways at me, as though surprised I’d noticed it was there. Anyone with the gumption to glance out the window would have. “Nothing,” he mumbled. Wes threw the front doors open, exiting out into the front lot.
    I saw Max’s car pulled up to the curb. I stopped dead, a small wave of relief rushing over me. Wes slipped away, but I gave up caring. He’d refused to slow down, refused to give me any answers, and at this rate, I knew I wasn’t about to get any. I took a moment to catch my breath, rubbing my arm where I’d run into a hundred other students, and the door, in my quest to keep up. Maybe Max could offer me some answers… finally.
    I strolled down the path toward Max’s car. He was already chatting with a football player, his arm hanging out the window. Max laughed at something the player said, and I found my previous distractions fade as I smiled. I loved the sound of Max’s laughter. I loved the feeling of that emotion streaming from me to him, like a thread that