Free Changing Fate by Michelle Merrill

cystic fibrosis underneath. My fingers tighten and the paper crinkles between them. I skim over the rest of the information covering the basics of the disease including the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation website and ways to donate to the cause. “Where did you get this?”
    “Giana.”
    My mouth drops.
    “She says it’s good to be informed of these things.”
    I toss the paper back like it might burn me. “Did she say why?”
    “Nope. She handed it to me on my way here.”
    The tardy bell rings and we find our seats. I can’t help but notice Kyler glance back at me like there was another reason he’d waited to catch me before class. My heart beats a rapid pace, something like Kyler’s hot…Kyler’s hot…Kyler’s hot …I can’t breathe. He shouldn’t have that effect on me. He faces forward and I try to focus on my dancing pulse, but another feeling is taking over.
    It’s something I can’t place, but I know what it’s from: the flyer. Why would Giana be handing out something like that here? What good will a bunch of teens do for the C ystic Fibrosis Foundation?  I race back and forth between anger and nervousness. Angry that she’d do that, nervous that people will be able to figure out my secret.
    I know people should be aware. I’ve been taught that my whole life. My mom and I participate in the Great Strides walks each year. We help with fundraising and we spread the news, but not with people I see every day. There are a lot of CFers out there that are open about their disease, but it’s something I’ve struggled with my whole life.
    Another cough attack hits during first period. It rattles in my chest and surges out of my mouth. Over and over. I drink from my water bottle but it doesn’t help for long. Which means I have to drink more and have to visit the bathroom all the time. Just what I need.
    Before Kyler can even close his backpack at the end of class, I’m gone, out the door and down the hall to visit the bathroom before second period. I didn’t even give him a chance to talk to me…maybe tell me something sweet that would calm my inner battle.
    Right before I step into statistics, Max stops me outside the door. This time I’m really tempted to use the fist I spared on Jack.
    “Did you hear?” Max asks.
    I glance in the room and see Kyler already at his desk. My legs itch to move on, but Max places a hand across the doorway. I give a quiet, frustrated sigh. “Hear what?”
    “That—”
    “If you’re going to say anything about Jack, I just might hurt you.”
    His hands fly up in surrender and he presses his lips together for a quick moment. “Nope. Didn’t say a word. Don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    “Fine.”
    His hands drop. “There’s a new kid.”
    The response in my head is somewhere along the lines of thanking him for informing me so I can eat lunch on the other side of the…planet. Seriously? “What’s it with so many new kids here? I thought I was weird transferring schools mid-year.”
    “New apartments in the school boundaries.”
    With all the anger built up inside me, a little bully bashing might just be what I need. “Okay, spill.”
    “Sophomore boy. Dark skin, kind of tall, goes by Mo.”
    I lift a brow and wonder if he’s in much danger at all. Maybe he’s good looking and Vivian will just stick to flirting and not bullying. “Okay. I’ll see what I can do.”
    He shifts to the side. “Can’t I help?”
    I pat his shoulder and step past him, into the room. “I’ll let you know.”
    Kyler must’ve heard my voice because his eyes are on us when I finally break away. The teacher is making his way around the room, placing a full sheet of paper on each desk. Before I sit down, he says, “Pop quiz. Take a seat and we’ll start right when the bell rings.”
    I sink into my chair and glance at Kyler. He smiles and I let my eyes linger on his lips until I find his freckle. There it is. Small, brown, inviting. Wait. Did I just think that? I