Free Understudy by Denise Kim Wy Page A

shrink threat was just a bluff?"
    "Well..." she scrambled for words. "I wouldn’t put it that way."
    “I thought so.” I pushed myself up into a sitting position, the sudden movement making the room spin. I closed my eyes and waited until my sense of equilibrium returned. When I reopened them, Mom was staring at me.
    "Do you want to leave town?" she asked. Her tone was casual, like she was just asking about the weather, a far cry from the sudden emotion I felt that made my stomach clench. 
    "No, why would you ask that?" I could've said yes if she asked me the question in the days after the accident. That was the time when leaving Highcrest would've sounded like a salvation from the hell I was going through.
    "For the obvious reasons, Kat."
    "I'm okay, Mom. How many times do I need to say it?"
    "Honestly, I do agree with you on that one. But with the sudden turn of events..." her voice trailed off and I noticed her lower lip tremble.
    "You mean, Eric?" I asked.
    Mom shuddered, obviously still shaken from her ghost encounter. "The similarities are quite... something don't you think?"
    "They're identical twins, Mom," I reminded her.
    "Which makes us worry."
    "About what?" I asked, though I already knew.
    She raised an eyebrow, and pressed her lips together. 
    "Oh come on, Mom!" I didn't want to acknowledge it, but I had to assure her that it would never happen. "He's not a replacement for Adam!"
    "I don't remember saying anything like that," she said, walking over to the door.
    "It's not going to happen, Mom. I'm not even talking to him."
    "I'm not saying that. We just don't want you getting hurt again," she said. She watched me with the same protective gaze she often used when I was little, and for a moment, I felt like a young girl who needed to be protected from the harsh realities of life.
    It wasn't necessary though. I hated Eric, and I was damn sure that I could protect myself from him. I returned Mom's gaze with a firm resolution. "I won't. I'm sure of it."
     

Chapter Nine
     
    It was Saturday, but I managed to wake up before seven. I rolled over to my side, trying to go back to sleep until I remembered that since it was a weekend, I was scheduled for an early morning jog.
    I stretched my limbs as far as they would go, waking up every joint in my body. I hated running, but it was an excuse to go out and meet Adam. At first my parents were doubtful, and I remembered looking over my shoulder to make sure they weren't following me. Even Sara began asking questions. Not that I couldn't blame her.
    We used to hang out all the time when I wasn’t with Adam. And now that he was gone, I knew that she was expecting us to spend time together like we used to. It was a good thing she was busy propping up her college applications with extra credits. At least that would keep her off my back−−for now.
    I jumped out of bed and grabbed a shirt and a fresh pair of sweatpants. I would've taken a quick shower to make myself presentable for Adam, but that might only raise suspicions. I ended up brushing my teeth and washing my face instead.
    Dad was already up when I reached the dining room. I remembered snapping at him last night, and I realized that I hadn't apologized to him.
    A knot formed in my stomach as I edged myself near his chair. I'm bad when it comes to apologizing, even to my own parents. I'm good at being sorry, but saying it aloud was a different matter altogether. Except for the accident of course. There's no amount of apologizing I could do that would ever be enough to make up for what happened.
    I cleared my throat, letting the words roll over my tongue. But I couldn't say it aloud.
    Dad peeked up from his paper. He was still sporting a bed head which would probably stay until lunch. He gave me a quick glance over and smiled.
    "Going out for a jog?"
    "Um...Yeah?" I said, taken aback by the question. I had expected him to mention something about what happened last night.
    "You're going to pass by Connie's shop,