Free Destined to Kill: A Destined Novel (Destined Novels Book 1) by Jourdyn Kelly

easy for me."
    I'm not sure whether to feel flattered or sorry. "Amanda, stop it. You're a beautiful girl and fun to be around. Anyone who can't see that isn't worth your time. I'm glad Robby sees that in you. You've been crushing on him forever."
    "True, I have. I felt so great walking into the party with him. I finally have a boyfriend! I mean, I think I do. We haven't really talked about it yet, but we kissed!"
    "Well, if you kissed you must be dating." I grin at her.
    She goes on and on about her night, how Robby thought she was cool for playing drinking games with him, and holding hands with him and dancing. At the end of the long and very detailed description of the night, she finally eyes me suspiciously. "Anyway, tell me where you've been and what you've been doing. I can't believe you didn't tell me you were skipping out! You could've called me!"
    Here we go. The talk I've been dreading. But, knowing Amanda, I knew I wouldn't be able to avoid it. She had a knack for not forgetting things and being relentless when she wanted to know something.
    "I know, I know. I'm sorry. I lost my cell." It's not much of an explanation, but it's all I really know to be true. "I wasn't planning on skipping, I just didn't feel well. Besides, Galloway really did freak me out. I thought it'd be best if I just stayed away for a couple of days."
    Amanda doesn't look completely satisfied by my answer, but her head is pounding too hard to care. It has to hurt. I can see the pulse beating in her temples, can imagine the blood in her veins that ever so slightly protruded from her forehead. I feel the damn hunger rise in me, again, and I get up quickly to try to find something strong enough to distract me. I busy myself by pouring myself another cup of coffee and practically stick my nose in it, breathing in the bitter smell. It's not quite enough to mask the smell of blood, but it helps.
    "What's with you, Ana? You've been acting kind of weird lately."
    Leave it to Amanda to tell me exactly how she feels, I think grumpily.
    "I told you, I haven't been feeling well," I retort, immediately regretting my tone. "Sorry. I don't know what it is. I've been really tired and I've been having odd - cravings."
    Amanda's head snaps up. "Are you pregnant?"
    "Don't be ridiculous! Exactly how am I supposed to be pregnant? Unlike you, I don't even have a boyfriend."
    "Well, I don't know what you do here by yourself all the time. You could have orgies for all I know."
    "Orgies? Now would I do that and not invite you?"
    "Okay, eww." Amanda tilts her head and studies me for a bit. "Maybe you should go see a doctor."
    "Maybe." It's as non-committal as I can be and still give her an answer she would accept.
    "I thought your phone was missing." Amanda eyes me accusingly when we both hear a faint ringing coming from my living room.
    "It is–was! Ask Zac! I looked for it everywhere." I follow the sound and find my damn phone right under my coffee table! I know I looked there. Didn't I?
    "Right. Look, Ana, if you don't want to tell me something, then just don't tell me. You don't have to lie to me."
    "Amanda, seriously, I didn't lie..."
    "I'm going to go now. You really should go see a doctor, Ana. You're not acting like yourself."
    With that, Amanda walks out my front door. I know better than to go after her now. I'll let her cool down and talk to Zac to ask him about the phone situation. Everything will be okay with her when she hears I didn't lie. If not, I'll have to worry about that later. Right now, I have to figure out what the hell is going on in my life!
    I pick up my phone–still can't believe it's been here the whole time–and check it. There were tons of missed calls and texts from my friends. I already know what they say, so I don't bother going through them. I delete everything and set the phone down on the coffee table–in plain view - and hear the signal for a new text message.
    "That didn't take long," I say aloud. Amanda must've been on the phone