Changing Fate Read Free Page A

little water is bad? I can think of something worse. See ya.”
    As I walk away, the weight of loneliness settles on my shoulders. Great. As if I don’t have enough to bother me. First I have to focus on avoiding people and now I have to feel selfish for doing it. If only they knew it was for them, not me.
    I don’t care much about dying. At least…I don’t think I do. Sometimes I almost wish it were already here. But it’s not. And even though I might be prepared for it, no one else will be. If I die, they’ll be the ones without me, trying to overcome the loss. I can’t do it to them. I watched my mom go through life like a broken marionette for too long after Dad left. No one deserves that, and I won’t let anyone suffer because of me.
    I continue down the hall and never look back to see Charlie’s reaction.   

Chapter 3
     
     
     
    Mom comes in my room during therapy the next morning. She sits on the edge of my bed and eyes the dart in my hand, then glances at the large target across the room.
    “Well, let’s see it.”
    My lip rises on one side. I pull my hand back and throw the dart at the center of the target. It hits its mark and Mom’s eyebrow arches.
    “Still the best,” she says. “How are you?”
    I shrug.
    “I just got a call from the doc. He wants to do some antibiotic treatments through the nebulizer. You know, to prevent winter colds and all.”
    A sigh escapes and I nod. I’m actually surprised he didn’t order it earlier.
    Mom stands up and walks to the door. “I’ll pick up the new meds after work and you can do your first treatment tonight.” She pauses and folds her arms. “I don’t want to bother you about this so soon, but how are things at school with the other kids?”
    I try to fake a smile but she just narrows her eyes and purses her lips. It’s the usual sign that she knows I’m about to lie and she’ll see right through it. “I don’t have a lot of friends yet, but maybe by the end of the week...” Or never.
    She exhales. “Please don’t push people away like you did at your last school. You need friends. They’ll help you see the happy things in life.”
    She’s one to talk. Her only friends were in the karate group back home. “I am happy, Mom. I have you and I have my hobbies.”
    “As much as I love you, honey, there’s more to life than hanging out with your mom and throwing darts.”
    “You’re right.” I say. “I do need people. I need them to build awesome structures that I can admire from far away. Maybe one day I’ll get to live in a palace. I’d love to see the Eiffel Tower, you know.”
    “Yes, yes. I know. Maybe you can find some rich friends to pay for the trip.”
    I laugh. “That’s so wrong, Mom, and you know it.”
    “But it might help you make friends even if they don’t use their money to buy your happiness.”
    I pick up a dart and aim it at her. “Goodbye, Mom. I’ll see you when I’m ready for breakfast.”
    She swipes her hand through the air with wicked speed and leaves the room. Show off. She’d totally do it too—knock the dart out of the air if I tried to hit her with it. 
    I think about Mom’s suggestion through the rest of morning therapy. By the time I walk into my first period class, I still have it on my mind. I either have to actually make friends or find a way to lie about it so Mom doesn’t keep pestering me. I find my seat and notice that Kyler’s not there yet. The bell’s about to ring and he might be late. Or absent. Not like I should care.
    I don’t.
    A melodic voice drifts from the corner behind me. My stomach dances in smooth motions. Warmth seeps through my body and leaves a tingle on the back of my neck. I turn around to find Kyler talking with the teacher. They shake hands and Kyler pivots around, catching my eye before I can look away. Dang. Heat races to my face and my heart pounds erratically.
    That’s when I notice the teacher looking back and forth between the two of us. He says