Free Changing Fate by Michelle Merrill Page A

look up to see Kyler’s gaze on me, watching me stare at his lips. Heat inches across my cheeks and down my neck. My insides squirm and a rush of flutters bloom in my chest.
    The bell rings, announcing the time to stop the frantic thoughts and start the quiz. For some reason, I can’t focus. Well, it’s a perfectly good reason, but the teacher probably wouldn’t be happy about it. In fact, by the end of class, I decide he’s not happy about anything. The lesson today is long and boring and goes over the bell.
    I’m packing my bag when someone touches my arm.
    “Hey Kate,” Kyler says . He steps toward the door and I freeze. “See you at lunch.”
    A slight nod of my head and he’s gone. He’s racing out of the room, his footsteps matching each thump pounding my chest.
    * * *
    Right when lunch starts, I head towards Giana’s locker. Halfway there, I stop at the drinking fountain to kill a coughing fit. Either the air is super dry today or…no, I won’t think about the other reason I would be coughing. It’s got to be the air.
    Giana is just shutting her locker when I arrive. I catch my breath and grab the flyer in her hand. “What’s this all about?” I still haven’t decided whether to be mad or happy about it.
    She’s beaming. “Isn’t it great? I learned online that the best way to help is to spread the word.”
    “At school?”
    There’s hope in her eyes. “Everywhere. And since I’m always here, I figured it’d be a good place to start.”
    I return the flyer and run my fingers through my hair with a sigh.
    “Relax, Kate. No one’s going to know you have it just from this.”
    I scan the hallway to make sure no one hears us. “I know. Anyway, we’ve got something else to worry about.”
    “Really?”
    I shrug. “Worry if you want. Max informed me of a new student.”
    She taps her chin. “I guess we’d better get to the cafeteria then.”
    This is another thing I haven’t decided yet. Do I help or stay away? Giana takes off down the hall and I decide to follow. Which, I guess, means that I’ve decide to help.
    One step into the cafeteria and I know we’ve missed Vivian’s first move. She has Mo backed into a corner. Her flirt charm is on high: her blue-streaked hair pulled in a side bun, fresh lip gloss applied, leaning forward in her low V-neck shirt. I glance at Giana to find her head tilted, eyes on Mo. Like really on him, can’t look away, might have a sudden crush on his chocolate-colored skin, deep eyes…
    Giana sighs. Mo’s arms are folded and he glances past Vivian. He seems bored. His gaze lands on us and Giana snaps out of it.
    “Come on.” I pull her forward and she stumbles behind me. A few more steps and a painful cough pushes up my throat. I stop in place and cover my mouth with the crook of my elbow. Now Giana’s attention is on me. She holds my shoulder with one hand and pats my back. When I straighten up, concern fills her eyes.
    “You okay?” she asks.
    I swallow and cringe at the pinch of pain in the back of my throat. I must’ve coughed too hard. “I think so.”
    “We could go— ”
    “Giana. It’s fine.” I already have a mom worrying about me and I worry enough for everyone else. “Let’s go.”
    By the time we make it closer to Vivian, Mo’s starting a conversation with her. “What’s your name?” he asks.
    She flutters her lashes and folds her arms under her chest. “Viv.”
    Giana and I turn to each other and mouth the shortened version of her name with raised eyebrows. Oh, this boy is definitely getting new-kid torture—just a different kind than any of us got. I’m pretty sure Vivian didn’t go that far trying to get Max on her side. Thank goodness, because I didn’t need a constant replay of those details.
    “What should we do?” Giana asks.
    I bite my lip and try to decide if I should do something or do nothing. This is actually entertaining. But I can tell by the worry creasing Giana’s forehead that she doesn’t