Free BitterSweet (Book Two) (The Blood Moon Chronicles) by June Spears Page A

was somewhere around here looking for me, ready to torture me with her evil camera.
    "Over here," Zoriada said, jumping up and down.  Zoria da, my best friend since second grade, had vibrant cocoa skin and deep chocolate eyes.  She had Daddy’s money and she loved to spend it. 
    I nervously tucked a stray hair behind my ear and glanced around as I made my way over to join her and Zeeb.
    Zeeb laughed. "Hiding from your mother again?"
    Zeeb is the captain of the baseball team here at Shadow Valley High. I don’t think they’ve ever won a game. He was tall, lean, and had beautiful, caramel skin.  His beautiful long black hair was his pride and joy.
    Zoraida and Zeeb were the only kids I considered friends in school.  I wasn't really into the whole social thing.
    "You know how much I hate people taking pictures of me," I replied.
    "Hi, Ms. Mendez," Zeeb waved behind me.
    Sucking in a deep breath, I turned around to face the inevitable flash. Both Zeeb and Zoraida burst out laughing. My mom wasn't there.
    "Don't do that to me ever again!" I said in mock anger. I bopped him in the arm and he flew to the ground.
    "Ouch...What did you do that for? I was just joking. Geez, Zelenia, what a spaz." Zeeb clambered back to his feet.
    "Oh my God, I’m so sorry. I didn't think I hit you that hard." I had barely even touched him, but he had a big red knot on his arm that surely would become a bruise tomorrow.
    I felt awful.
    "Are you okay?" I asked him.
    “I think that a little kiss would make me feel better,” he replied with a smirk.
    “Keep dreaming,” Zoraida said, laughing. I couldn't help but laugh with her.
    "Yeah, well, watch it next time. That thing is lethal," he said, pointing to my fist.
    I've always been so weak that this boggled my mind.
    Stepping between us, "Group hug, everybody!" Zoraida yelled. 
    We all gathered and hugged one another. It was almost sad to be leaving school and my friends. Even so, I was ready for a change. 
    Suddenly, we heard music nearby as the rides started at the school carnival held in honor of the graduates.  
    I had hoped to escape before it began, but just as the thought occurred to me, Zoraida called out, "Come on you guys, they started the rides already!" 
    A while later, the temperature dropped and the sky turned dark.  My head spun just from watching all the rides. I used to love the thrill of them, but my stomach couldn't handle it anymore. I mostly just sat and watched while my friends enjoyed themselves.
    After Zoraida and Zeeb got off one of the rides, we walked over to one of the stands to get a drink.  Zeeb noticed a tent with the title 'Carmen the Fortune Teller'. "Let's get our fortune told," he said, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. “Now that we’re done with high school, maybe we’ll be rich and famous!”              
    "Oh no, not me. Fortune tellers are just kooks." I sat down on a nearby bench to take a drink of my soda.  Zeeb settled next to me with his arm around my shoulder.
    "Oh come on, Zelenia, you have got to learn to lighten up a little." Zoraida wedged herself between us. 
    She had been doing that a lot lately. Every time Zeeb would get a little close to me, she would push between us. If I didn’t know better, I’d think she was jealous.  Feeling awkward, I stood and threw away my empty cup.
    I strode towards the tent. "Fine, have it your way. Let's get this over with."
    "It'll be fun, you'll see." Zeeb dashed up beside me, smiling.
    He really did have a nice smile.  I found myself mesmerized. He could have any girl at our school, but for two years he has followed me around like a lost puppy. He would make some lucky girl a wonderful husband someday. I simply could not see us together that way. That’s what ruins friendships,   I never wanted to lose him or Zoraida as a friend, ever.
    When we entered the tent, we found a little old lady with crazy hair in front of some tarot cards. The only light came from a single candle in