Fever Read Free Page A

like Jess, he didn’t let that stop him. If there was badness to fight, he was there. Eve felt like she knew him so well, even though she had only met Luke at the beginning of school this year. He and his dad had moved to Deepdene from California so his father could take over as minister at Deepdene Church after the previous minister had died from cancer.
    ‘Are you telling him you luuuuurve him?’ Jess teased as Eve began writing an IM to Luke.
    ‘Telling him about Briony, since they went out a couple of times,’ Eve replied. Although she had to admit, at least to herself, that she had wondered once or twice if she was falling for Luke. She hoped not. The boy was a player – Briony was just one of the many girls he’d gone out with since he came to town – and getting involved with him as more than a friend would probably leave Eve with a broken heart.
    The thing was, Luke was more than just a player. He was brave. He was smart. He was pretty sweet a lot of the time. And, yes, he was a complete cutie with his longish blond hair and his green eyes. Make that green eyes with little golden flecks. He was—
    He was not answering her. How long did it take to answer an IM? Jenna had replied in about a second and a half. Eve could see he was online. To ignore her was just rude.
    ‘Is Luke saying something bad? Is someone else sick?’ Jess asked.
    ‘No. He didn’t answer yet,’ Eve said. Because he was busy chatting with some other girl? He was a player. She couldn’t let herself forget that.
    ‘Oh. It’s just that you just looked upset,’ Jess commented, propping herself up on one elbow.
    ‘There’s a lot of upsetting stuff happening,’ Eve reminded her. ‘Eighty-one people sick. No known cure.’ And Luke possibly blowing her off for some fun girl who’d never drag him into a demon beat-down.
    Eve reached the end of her Vogue , and realized she didn’t remember one thing that was in it. Not one pair of shoes. Not one bag. Usually as soon as she started flipping through a new issue, a shopping list began forming in her head. This time her head had been too full of the epidemic. And Luke , she admitted to herself. She let out a sigh.
    ‘Want to do this relationship quiz?’ Jess asked.
    ‘Unlike you, I’m not in a relationship,’ Eve pointed out.
    ‘Just use Luke. It will help you decide if you should take him on as a boyfriend,’ Jess answered.
    Eve laughed. ‘You sound like it’s all my decision.’
    ‘It is. I keep telling you that.’ Jess pulled a pen out of her bag. ‘I’ve seen the way he looks at you. You give the guy one encouraging word and he’s yours. Guaranteed.’ She looked down at her magazine. ‘OK, first question. If your guy were a popsicle, what flavour would he be? A – Lime, B – Cherry, C – Orange, or D – Grape.’
    ‘That’s key in deciding if he’s good relationship material?’ Eve asked doubtfully.
    ‘Absolutely. And Seth is definitely orange, like sunshine. Sunshine you want to lick,’ Jess added. ‘What about Luke?’
    Eve wrinkled her nose. ‘It’s kind of a dumb question. I mean, no offence. But guys as popsicle flavours?’
    ‘Just pick one.’ Jess tapped her pen against her magazine.
    ‘Lime, I guess.’
    ‘Which happens to be your fave,’ Jess commented. ‘Your psychology is showing.’
    ‘That isn’t—’
    The sound of Eve’s cell ringing interrupted her, and she jumped to get it. Distraction was good. She didn’t need to do any more thinking about Luke. Who couldn’t even be bothered to answer a simple IM.
    She glanced at the caller ID. Luke. Well, he hadn’t answered her before, but calling her was even better, right? She couldn’t help smiling. ‘Hi, Luke,’ she said as she picked up.
    Jess smirked at her, a see-I-know-all smirk. Eve ignored it.
    ‘What’s up?’ she asked Luke.
    ‘Sorry I didn’t answer you before,’ Luke said. ‘My dad … We just got back from the walk-in clinic. He has it. He almost passed out during the