Awakenings (Elemental Series - Book 1) Read Free

it’s because you’re really into her.” I blushed with embarrassment.
    “Ah, no, Jace. Carrie’s a friend. That’s it.”
    “Then where are you disappearing to when you’re not at home?”
    “I’m out with the guys. What’s with the hundred and one questions?” Hudson shot back, stopping in the middle of the sidewalk and waiting for an answer.
    “Do you tell Mom and Dad everything about yourself?” I asked.
    “No…not everything, why?”
    “Well, how do you know what to tell them about and what not to?”
    “I tell Mom and Dad everything that affects all of our lives and I keep the stuff which only affects me to myself. Why?”
    “I thought you and Carrie were together, and with us having lived here for almost a year, Mom and Dad would settle in like us. No problems, no worries, no moving again,” I said with a frown.
    “Jacey, don’t you get it? Mom, Dad, and I are always thinking of ‘us’—as a family. When we move, it isn’t because we want to, it’s because we need to, so we can all stay together. Think about it, Mom can work anywhere with her get green initiatives, and Dad can tag along anywhere in the world Mom wants to be…minerals are minerals wherever you are. All of us are here for one reason only…because we’re supposed to be. Get it?”
    “Yeah, I guess.” But I really didn’t. I was confused for two reasons: One, Hudson answered a question with more than a one—word answer, and two, when he said we were all where we were supposed to be, my heart suddenly fluttered.
    My conscience from last night decided to choose that moment to speak up. Hello…feeling a bit guilty are we? You need to tell Hudson your dream in full. Nothing left out. So what did I do? I did what any other completely rational and sane sixteen-year-old would do—I ignored it. It was just a dream. What’s the worst that could happen?
    Hudson’s voice brought me back to the sidewalk. “Jacey, what aren’t you telling me?” He grabbed onto my arm.
    “Nothing, we’re going to be late,” I snapped, pulling my arm away.
    We walked on without a word between the two of us until we got to school.
    “Hey—you know you can talk to me about anything, right?”
    “Yeah, I know.” I paused for a second, taking on the full intensity of his gaze. I turned away before I burst into flames. Okay, a little dramatic, but it was the exact thought that popped into my head the minute his stare seared through me.
    I moved away, calling back over my shoulder. “See you at home tonight. I’m gonna be late.”
    “Yeah, see ya,” Hudson said, standing there staring at me inquisitively. He knew something was up. I walked into my first period Chemistry class with my head down, completely oblivious to anyone else in the room. I moved to the back, where I shared a lab table with Jen. I had just got my butt into my seat when her voice and a light tap on my arm got my attention.
    “Helloooo, Jacey, anyone there?” Jen asked.
    “Sorry, Jen, I was—”
    “Hey, you’re in a different zone, I get it. Are we still on for Starbucks at lunch, though?”
    “I got to find Hudson and talk to him after class. I didn’t tell him something this morning and now I think maybe I should. But, I’ll be back by lunch—so ya, we’re still on.”
    “Do you want help finding him?” Jen offered.
    “This is something I need to talk to him about alone. I’ll meet up with you after…”
    “No worries, I‘ll wait for you in the front after first bell.”
    When I realized I had to spill everything to Hudson, my stomach started somersaulting from an upsurge of instant anxiety. It made the lone muffin I’d consumed for breakfast feel like it was sitting at the base of my stomach, ready to make a not-so-nice re-appearance.
    Chemistry went on forever. Jen could sense my unease. She tried a number of times to draw me away from my thoughts and into a conversation, but I was pulling a Hudson, only offering one word answers. At the end of class,