Free The Firefly Effect by Allie Gail

Almost begging. I couldn’t believe it.
    I think maybe that was the point where I realized that not all adults can be trusted. That’s kind of a sad discovery to make. It’s like the turning point from childhood to cold, harsh reality. I thought about telling my parents about it, but it was way too embarrassing. Now I just ignore Mark whenever I see him. He’s such a creep!
    What’s weird is that Shane could see right through him when I couldn’t. And he didn’t even know anything about Mark. So does that make him smarter than me?
    As if he senses me looking at him, he turns his head and catches my eye. To my surprise, he smiles. I hate to admit it, but Shane’s smile is…gorgeous.
    I haven’t yet decided whether I want to return his smile when he starts scribbling something on a piece of notebook paper. Curious, I watch to see what he’s doing.
    He holds up the piece of paper and my mouth drops open as I read what he’s scrawled.
    Sent anyone to prison lately, Felony?
    I give him the middle finger salute and turn my attention back to the thrilling history of the Industrial Revolution.
     
     
     
    ~ Chapter Ten ~
     

     
    The store is packed, the checkout lines longer than I’ve ever seen them. Everyone is scrambling to stock up on groceries before the weather gets nasty. The harried employees are working at breakneck speed to restock the shelves that are just as quickly wiped clean.
    I’m shoving cases of bottled water underneath the grocery cart when Melanie remarks out of the blue, “You never mentioned whether or not you’ve ever been married before.”
    Straightening, I tell her, “Nope. Never been married. Never even come close.”
    “Why not?”
    Her blunt curiosity makes me smile. “I could ask you the same thing.”
    She cocks her head to one side and studies me, but says nothing. I can’t help but wonder what she sees when she looks at me like that. Whatever it is, I hope it isn’t the same thing she saw back in high school.
    “I only intend to get married once,” I explain, relenting. “So when I do, I need to be one hundred percent certain that the woman I marry is also my best friend. The one I can see myself still madly in love with fifty years down the road. Does that answer your question?”
    “Maybe you’re gay.”
    For a minute I think she’s reverted to insulting me, but when she bites her lip to hide a smile I realize she’s just teasing.
    Tossing a jar of peanut butter into the cart, I give her a reproachful look. “If you have any doubts regarding my sexuality, I would be more than happy to clear them up for you. Just say the word.”
    She simply raises an eyebrow and pretends to be engrossed in selecting a box of granola bars from a sparse display. I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to sneak a box of condoms in without her noticing. This was something I hadn't considered before asking her to come along. Me and my bright ideas.
    Maybe I should just pick some up later.
    “What made you decide to become a veterinarian?” she asks, ostensibly as a diversion. She has the most peculiar habit of bouncing from one topic to another.
    “What made you decide to become a writer?” I counter.
    “I like to write.”
    Well. Ask a stupid question...
    “I've known since I was a kid that's what I wanted to do,” I tell her with a shrug. “I've always been good with animals. They're a lot easier to figure out than people are.”
    “That's ironic, coming from you.”
    “What do you mean?”
    She meets my gaze for a split second, then quickly looks away. “You're not exactly easy to figure out yourself.”
    “You don't have to try and figure me out, angel. If there's anything you want to know, just ask. I have nothing to hide.”
    “What did you just call me?” For some reason she suddenly seems tense.
    “Angel. Why? What did you think I said?”
    “Please don’t call me that.”
    “Why not?”
    “I just don’t like it. Don’t call me that. Ever.”
    “Well,