Free Finding Hope by Colleen Nelson

to see a friend of mine. Do you know about buses around here?”
    If she knew I was lying, she didn’t show it. “No, I don’t. But we have a van coming to pick up some donations for a church downtown. I’m sure Albert would give you a ride to wherever you need to go. Or I could call you a tow truck?”
    â€œA lift with that guy, Albert. That would be great. I’ll deal with my car later.” Relief washed over me. I looked at Storm, her tail wagging as she lapped up the cream. She was bringing me good luck.
    For a second, a glimmer of doubt rose up. I’d be trapped alone in a car with a guy, some stranger I didn’t know. What if he tried the same thing as Mike?
    And then the self-hatred washed over me. My mind cartwheeled back in time, spinning through images like a merry-go-round in high gear. All the way back to the road trip in Duluth. The first time. I couldn’t handle the memories this clean. I needed a fix.
    The fake sweet icing in the cookies coated my stomach, sticking like tar. Sitting here would kill me. The clock ticking by, her fingers clacking on computer keys. I’d get so agitated, I’d go ballistic.
    â€œActually, thanks, but I’ll just head out on my own. Don’t want to trouble you. Thanks,” I babbled and scooped up Storm. A droplet of cream clung to her chin, caught in a stubbly whisker. The lady tried to get out of her chair, claiming it was no trouble, but I was already out the door. Happy to be breathing fresh air.
    â€œCome on, Storm,” I said to her, more of a whisper. I could feel myself sinking. No meth for, what was it, twelve hours, maybe more? Thoughts of Coach Williams would swirl around me, squeezing me until I couldn’t stand it anymore.
    I needed something to feel good again.
    The city was within reach. I just had to get there.
    Â 

Hope
    I ’d spent the day skirting the halls like a ghost. Lizzie, Emily, and Vivian had ignored me. Cassie had too, but worse, she’d told some of the other girls why she was mad at me. I had gotten evil glares in every class.
    When I got back to my room at the end of the day, I tossed my books onto my desk and turned on my computer, hoping Mom had sent a message. Proof that someone was thinking about me.
    I stared at the screen in surprise. Today, in bold print amid the junk mail, was a new message.
Wednesday, September 10, 4:46 p.m.
    To: Hope Randall
    From: Devon Huddington
    
    Subject: Hi
    My name is Devon, and I’m on the Melton-Ravenhurst Welcoming Committee. You probably figured out that Melton Preparatory Academy is the brother school to Ravenhurst. We check in with new students to make sure they’re settling in okay and to see if they have any questions.
    Let me know if you need anything. Where were you before starting at RH? By the way, nice profile pic. You look good in your uniform. J
    Cheers,
    D.
    Profile picture? I opened the Ravenhurst websites, entered my password, and clicked on “Student Directory.” Sure enough, there was my student ID photo and contact information. I went to the Melton website and found Devon Huddington. He was cute. Like, really cute. Brown hair that flopped over his forehead and warm, dark eyes. I found myself smiling as I typed a reply.
Thursday, September 11, 9:10 p.m.
    To: Devon
    From: Hope
    Re: Hi
    Thanks for the email. I’m from Lumsville. It’s a really small town, so don’t worry if you’ve never heard of it. I guess I’m settling in okay. I’ve never boarded before, so it gets kind of lonely. Have you been at Melton a long time? Do you like it?
    Hope
    I reread my email, frowning at the lie. Settling in okay . The truth was I’d never felt so alone in my life, but I couldn’t admit that to someone I’d never met. Before I could overthink it, I pressed Send. A few minutes later, another email appeared.
Thursday, September 11, 9:23 p.m.
    To: