Free Learning to Live (The Infinite Love Series Book 1) by Kira Adams Page A

is feeling.
     
    I arrive at school early the next morning in hopes that I will be able to see her before anyone else arrives. To make sure she is okay. When I reach my locker, I’m surprised she is nowhere in sight. I wait for nearly twenty minutes, before there is only a couple of minutes to make it to class. I didn’t want to miss her, so I didn’t move an inch. Even when Joe and Sophia showed up, my feet stayed planted firmly.
     
    I didn’t even bother acknowledging their existence. Joe’s glare went straight through me. I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of stooping down to his level.
     
    Ciera doesn’t show. I end up having to abandon my post and attend the first class of my day. Her normal desk remains empty the entire period, and before I know it, the bell has rung to signal the end of class. I continue through the rest of my day, but still no sign of her. By lunchtime it’s apparent she isn’t coming in. I guess I can’t blame her. Maybe she just needed a day to rest?
     
    The anxious feeling in my chest only seems to intensify as she is yet again absent the next day as well.
     
    During English, I can’t help but stare directly at the empty chair where Ciera should be. I notice Mack eyeing it as well, with a sullen look on his face . I wonder if he knows what happened the other night. After the bell rings to announce the end of class, I rush to the front of the classroom to catch him.
     
    “Hey,” I say softly, hoping I don’t attract any unnecessary attention our way.
     
    His eyes grow wide with surprise. “Hi?” he says, more of a question. He pushes his glasses further up his face, adjusting his backpack.
     
    “Have you heard from Ciera?” I ask. He’s the only person I’ve ever noticed interact with her, he has to know something.
     
    Again he doesn’t bother hiding the shock spreading across his face. “Ciera?”
     
    I nod. “Yeah, Ciera Nelson…the girl you sit right next to?”
     
    He seems hesitant to say anything. He probably doesn’t trust me and honestly, I don’t blame him.
     
    “Look,” I say, attempting to relieve some of the tension in the air. “We had detention together Monday after school, and she had a seizure. I just want to make sure she is okay.”
     
    His eyes grow wider than before. This is news to him. “She what?”
     
    “She had a seizure. Have you not spoken with her?”
     
    He shakes his head. “Ciera isn’t exactly easy to get ahold of.”
     
    Peers from the class after us are beginning to pile into the classroom, so we slowly make our way out into the hall.
     
    “What do you mean by that?” I press.
     
    “She doesn’t have a cell phone.”
     
    I snort unintentionally. “Who doesn’t have a cell phone these days? I see toddlers every day with iPad’s.”
     
    He looks at me with an expression that is difficult for me to read. “I know who you are, and I know what you’ve done to Ciera. Even if she did have a cell phone, do you really think I’d ever give up her number?”
     
    I feel like he’s just punched me in the gut. I know Ciera and I don’t run within the same circles, but I never feel like I go out of my way to be an asshole to her…or do I?
     
    “Look man, I’m just wanting to make sure she is okay. If you know how to get ahold of her, maybe you can find out for me.”
     
    He nods slightly. “I’ll see what I can do.” He begins to walk away, but stops and turns back to me. “Can I just ask you something?”
     
    I nod, not bothering to respond verbally.
     
    “Ciera has never been on your radar before. What changed?”
     
    I’m not even sure I have an answer for him. He’s completely right. I shrug. “I guess we’ve just been in the same places at the same times recently.”
     
    He takes a hesitant step toward me. “I know your type. You get off from hurting someone like her. You feed off her misery. I’ll look into this for you, but after I do, I want you to stay the hell away from Ciera,