Free Finding Me by Dawn Brazil Page A

But that wasn’t the question you wanted to ask, was it?” He spoke and moved with a finesse no other high school guy I’d ever known possessed.
    Regardless, the smile was gone from my lips. My jaw tightened and my lips pursed into a disapproving pucker. How does he know that wasn’t the question? When I considered everything that had happened, it began the day he arrived. I pondered this as I stared into his gorgeous face and tried to formulate questions from my jumbled thoughts. But where to start? I had so many.
     

Chapter 9
    “Okay, come on with it,” Chris said. A grin stretched across his face and amusement showed in his eyes. What was so funny? Is he laughing at me?
    “Who…no, what are you – ?”
    “Chloe!” someone shrieked from the opposite end of the hall. Startled, I spun around in the direction of the shrill voice. Ms. Graves made her way to us with uncharacteristic urgency.
    “Chloe, I need to speak with you please, dear.” She appeared disheveled as she marched up to us. Her brows drawn together, her eyes darted from me to Chris, then back to me. She was out of breath as well. What is up with her? I hadn’t been in to see her since I’d. Maybe she just wanted to talk like we usually did?
    “Is there a problem?” I asked.
    “No. No problem,” she stammered. “I just wanted to catch you before you made it to class.” She looked intently at me and it reminded me of the day I needed her to rescue me from class after my incident with Zack. “I have to talk to you as soon as possible, please.” She fixed her gaze on Chris and I thought I saw disapproval in her eyes. I glanced between the two of them, trying to determine what was happening. Did she know him? What did she know about him?
    “I’ll see you later, princess.” He hesitated for a moment, looked from me to Ms. Graves, then turned and stomped off. I watched until he disappeared down the hall. Why did he leave so fast? I hadn’t even gotten the information I needed from him. He must’ve known something – he had to.
    “Chloe I do need to speak with you,” Ms. Graves reiterated. She paced in front of me and continuously wrung her hands. I watched her for a second before responding.
    “Oh. I’m sorry, Ms. Graves. What did you want to talk to me about?” And why are you acting loony?
    “I wanted to express my sorrow over what happened to Zackary.” My mouth fell open. I quickly closed it. This couldn’t be what was so important that she interrupted my conversation with Chris. “It was so unfortunate. I do realize that we might ponder what we could have done to change what occurred.” Why would she believe that I’d think I could have changed it? Did she somehow know about the vision? Could I have prevented his death? “Remember, however, you cannot blame yourself. If you need someone to talk to, you know that I am here for you, always.” Her eyes were sincere. I could tell she meant what she said. But as kind as it was, it was odd.
    I didn’t respond. A peculiar sensation crept over me, leaving a tingle in my fingers. My breathing slowed and I released a soft sigh. Her voice had such a calming effect. Her words were soothing, like hot chocolate on a cold New York day. However, not even that could contend with the many questions her weird behavior raised.
    “Chloe, I must tell you something. Something you may not be aware of.” She paused. She opened her mouth and then shut it. Finally she said, “You’re special. Even if you do not realize that fact yet.” Really? An inspirational speech right now? “You are truly remarkable and some would try to convince you to join them. These people would have you risk your life and your talents to fight their cause.” What talents? “However, you must be exceptionally careful with whom you share any information about the…differences you possess.” Oookayyy. She paused again. “I know I’m not making much sense, but unfortunately I’m not at liberty to speak further on