Free Four Letters in Reverse (FLIR #1) by Christina Channelle

practical one here. Obviously there would be nothing wrong with taking the bus after school to the mall, which was exactly what I did. Nothing would come after me , I kept repeating to myself.
    At least, not in broad daylight.
    It was weird being at the mall by myself and with the dream and all, I still felt a little apprehensive about the whole excursion. So I would treat it the way Jade treated the mall whenever she had to go: an in and out mission that was to be done in the fastest way possible, and with the least amount of causalities.
    With the money Mom had given me earlier burning a hole in my jean pocket, I sprinted throughout the department store, tossing in anything and everything in the shopping cart, from plastic cups to flavored coffee creamer.
    Operation: The Anti-Baby Shower.
    Kimber, my older cousin, said it would be too much if we actually had a banner or sign but personally, I thought it was a neat idea. Since Jade was so adamant about not having a baby shower, Kimber had the idea to still do something for Jade, but not the typical way, so Jade would still be comfortable.
    Hopefully she wouldn’t chop anybody’s head off.
    No gifts, no baby stuff, no speeches.
    There was a lot of no’s for this anti-shower and I still really didn’t get it, but I would do my part in making this the most successful anti-baby shower ever.
    As I walked out of the department store, hands full of bags, I was proud of myself. I was given a task and I totally passed it with flying colors.
    “Wild’s friend.”
    I paused at the words that seemed to be directed at me and turned. A couple feet away from me in front of the music store was a guy probably a couple years older, staring at me with a half-smile.
    His dark blond hair was in a complete shag around his head with headphones wrapped around his neck.
    “Come here. I won’t bite.”
    I glanced down at my phone and saw that I had fifteen minutes before Dad picked me up so I walked over to where he stood.
    “I saw you at the school the other day.”
    He sighed. “Yup. I saw you too.”
    “You’re Owen’s friend.”
    “And you’re Wild’s friend.”
    I looked at him curiously. “Why do you say that like he’s two different people?”
    He shrugged then pointed at my bags. “Shopping for the zombie apocalypse?”
    “No,” I said, rolling my eyes at him. “It’s for my older sister.”
    “Is she single?”
    “You wish.”
    He smiled. “I like you.”
    I made a face. I don’t know why but it was easy to talk to him. Maybe because I knew he wasn’t dating my crush. “Please don’t.”
    “You’ll be good for Wild.”
    I looked at him, surprised. “What?”
    “You are definitely going to be in Wild’s future.”
    I blushed deeply. “Are you psychic or something?”
    “Just perspective.”
    “You’re weird.” I couldn’t believe I had actually voiced it out loud.
    But it was true.
    He took out a pack of gum and offered it to me. I shook my head; he shrugged, then tossed a stick of gum in his mouth. “I’ve been called worse, trust me. So Wild’s friend,” he said, redirecting the conversation, “summer’s just around the corner. Any plans?”
    With the start of summer just a few months away, I was itching for the day when I finally got to close my books and have fun for three blissful hot months. Mom and Dad didn’t know it know yet but I planned to have the most epic summer. My parents were the greatest, but a tad overprotective at best.
    They’d have to let go of the reigns eventually. Might as well start sooner, rather than later.
    “Maybe exploring the city, do things I’ve never done, just have fun with my friends.”
    “You’ll be in high school, yeah?”
    I gave a nod.
    He grinned. “Guess I’ll see you around more often than not, Wild’s friend.”
    Did that mean we’d be going to the same school? I wasn’t sure and he didn’t say anything further.
    Cryptic much?
    My phone buzzed and I looked down, seeing it was a message from