Free Infinite (Strange and Beautiful, Book 1) by Brittney Musick Page B

stop. I looked out the window and was
shocked to discover that we were in front of my house already. It felt like we
just got into the car. I felt a little sad knowing that I had to say goodbye,
but I thanked Jackson for the ride and he replied, “No problem. Just take it
easy on those benches from now on.”
    “I’ll
try,” I assured him, and I couldn’t help but smile as I walked up to the house.
When I got to the door, I stopped and turned to wave goodbye to Jackson. He
waved back before he pulled, car rumbling, away from the curb. I couldn’t help
it. I felt giddy.
    I
stepped into the house and heard the television in the living room blaring
profanities and foul music and knew that Luke was playing some sort of a video
game. I toed off my shoes and dropped my bag at the door before walking into
the kitchen. Mom was doing dishes, and she looked up as I entered the room.
    “Hi,
sweetie,” she said. “Did Tierney drive you home?”
    “No,
not today.”
    Her
eyes rose. “Then who drove you home?”
    “Jackson.”
    “Jackson
who?” Mom questioned, turning toward me while drying her hands on a dishtowel.
    I
realized I didn’t actually know Jackson’s last name, so I shrugged. “I don’t
know his last name. He’s someone Skylar knows.”
    I
thought this would reassure her, but Mom only looked more concerned. “How old
is this boy?”
    “I
don’t know. I think he’s in Luke’s class. Sixteen? Seventeen?”
    “Silly,
I don’t know if you should be taking rides from boys you hardly know,” she
said. “You never know what they’re intentions might be.”
    I
made a face and forced myself not to roll my eyes. “C’mon, Mom,” I sighed,
“Jackson’s nice.”
    “Most
boys who have ulterior motives are,” she said. “You can’t be too trusting these
days. You could be raped or murdered just because you took a ride from someone
you don’t really know.”
    I
sighed. I couldn’t count know how many times I’d heard this very lecture. For
some reason Mom thought I didn’t know these things. I was fully aware. It
wasn’t as if I got rides from strangers on a regular basis either. I understood
her concern and took it seriously enough, but she needed to give me a little
credit.
    “Well,
Mom, I thought if Skylar could bring Jackson into our house and hang out with
him, then it would be okay to accept a ride from him,” I explained. “We talked
about the Bible on the way home, so I don’t think he’s plotting to kill
me. Also, I have the body of a twelve-year-old boy, so unless Jackson has a
thing for little boys, I don’t think I need to worry about being raped,” I
said. “And if Jackson does have a thing for little boys, then I think
you need to start talking to Skylar about her choice in friends,” I added.
    With
that I turned on the heel of my foot and headed upstairs. It seemed my news
about writing for the school newspaper would have to wait until later.

 
    Sunday,
October 22 nd , 2006
     
    I got the best early birthday
surprise from the Tylers. I spent the night with them Friday. Then Saturday
morning we got up early and went into the city to visit The Art Institute of
Chicago. It was so awesome (and I know Skylar will be so jealous when I rub
it in her face tell her about it). We stayed there all day. There was so
much to see. Sadly, I didn’t get to look at everything. I probably spent more
time than I should have looking at stuff. I guess Mom’s right about me
over-analyzing things. It was really nice and felt so calming. Aside from a few
crying babies, it was so quiet in the museum.
    I really didn’t talk too much
either. That’s what I like so much about Tegan and her family. I feel so
comfortable sitting around with them and not saying a word. Yet, at the same
time, I feel comfortable enough to tell them anything. They’re just really
great people. I wish I knew more people like them.
    I always feel so out of place at
home. Whenever I open my mouth, it feels almost like I can