Free Star-Crossed by Jo Cotterill Page A

look at Chris like he is Chris, and you are Jen. But instead of seeing the ugliness that your hate was always forcing you to see, you see the beauty of his face, all the delicate shades of blue in his eyes, the way that his forehead crinkles slightly as he looks at you. He draws a breath and whispers something.
    â€œ While my prayer’s effect I take …”
    You lean forward and kiss him deeply. He kisses you back gently, touching your face and pulling you close into him. You have never felt anything like this before. It’s the most magical emotion that you have ever had. Shivers run up and down your spine, as you get lost in his kiss.
    But the door opens.
    â€œHey, you guys.” Misha strides in. “Miss told me to come and see that you weren’t—”
    She sees the two of you, together, locked in a tight embrace that’s joined at the lips. She stops dead and you spring apart. Misha stands there, totally confused.
    â€œWe were, um, rehearsing…” you trail off, convincing no one.
    â€œYou?” She points at you. “And … and you ?” She stares at Chris. “Together?”
    She knows she’s on to something, and her face lights up with that Cheshire Cat smile that can only lead to trouble.
    You turn numbly to Chris. His face reads the same confusion, shock and embarrassment that you are starting to feel.
    What have I done?
    Misha spins around and dashes out of the room. Panic, frustration, anger, hate, passion – they wash over you like a tsunami, soaking you to the bone.
    This is too much…
    You grab your bag from the table and run for the door, but Chris reaches out for you.
    â€œJen, wait—”
    But you pull free and sprint out of the school as fast as you can, not stopping until you are in the park far from your school. You slump on to a bench and cry your heart out. You’re having feelings for your worst enemy.
    Why is life so damn complicated?

“Do we seriously have to?” Will whispers.
    It is five years to the day since they first met, and Ethan is staying round at Will’s house. Over the years, Ethan’s military dedication has impressed Will’s father as a good influence for his son – but they’d still be dead if they got caught out of their beds in the middle of the night.
    Will strikes a match, watches it glow brightly for a second, then lights the candle in the middle of the table.
    â€œThis was your idea in the first place,” Ethan says, sitting opposite Will, and holding the needle over the flame to let it sterilize. “But if you’re too chicken…”
    â€œShut up. Let’s just get this over with.” Will grins.
    They both watch the flame dance around the needle for a second, then Ethan pushes the candle gently away. He looks across at his best friend, asking a silent question.
    Will, though rather pale, gives his right hand to Ethan and nods.
    â€œDo it.”
    Ethan holds Will’s right hand in his left. He pushes the needle into the skin of Will’s thumb.
    â€œ Ah! ” he cries out. Ethan looks at the door and raises his eyebrows in alarm, at which Will covers his mouth and bites his lip. “Ow…” he whispers more quietly, watching the blood ooze slowly out of the pinprick.
    â€œNow you do mine,” murmurs Ethan, handing his friend the needle and extending his right hand and thumb.
    Will takes the needle in his left hand and repeats the process on Ethan’s thumb. He doesn’t even flinch.
    â€œNow,” Ethan says, rolling up his sleeve. “Clasp my hand.”
    Will reaches across and grasps his friend’s palm, and the boys place their thumbs together so that the blood mixes.
    Will looks up, and Ethan is smiling. He smiles back.
    â€œBrothers,” Ethan states, still gripping Will’s hand in a tight lock.
    â€œBrothers,” Will echoes, feeling happier than he has ever been in his whole life. With a friend