Fortified Read Free Page B

to type, then suddenly changed his mind and put his phone in his backpack instead. Soon, he had his headphones on and his face buried in a textbook.
    Good , Gideon thought. He’s not completely blinded. There’s hope. Girl is bad news. I should tell him all the crap she’s done to me. He might not know.
    He watched Tait sigh before talking quietly to one of her nearby friends. Now he could dig deep into her messages and take a good look around with that distraction out of the way. He also didn’t have to be quite as careful with his actions. If she wasn’t looking at the screen, he had an easier time maneuvering around the device.
    After Orlando, the next most texted person in her contacts was her cheerleading co-captain, followed by a number of her female friends. Nothing out of the ordinary in those. Then there was her twin brother, Peyton, who used to be a part of the Blue tribe. His rehabilitation had been successful, however, and going through her phone Gideon saw nothing suggesting an attempt to reverse the process. Old messages from months back had meeting times and small subtle chatter about the work they did together. All of the new ones were about dinner and practice times for their extracurricular activities. Texts to Mom, Dad, and her cheerleading coach. All normal.
    Then he saw an unfamiliar name close to her recent contacts: Stas.
    There was no one named Stas at the school. Perhaps he or she was another relative, but the latest message sent to the number didn’t seem too family-like.
    â€œI told you I have a boyfriend.”
    Intrigued, Gideon read through the history.
    â€œHad fun at our latest session. Can’t wait to have another.” From the mysterious Stas.
    â€œIf that’s your idea of fun, then you have issues,” Tait said.
    â€œEvery memory I give back, I learn so much more about you.”
    â€œDuh, they’re my memories.”
    â€œI think we’re soulmates. :P ;)”
    That was when she’d told him she had a boyfriend. A message she’d sent over an hour ago. A message that was also a lie, last he’d checked, but perhaps she was feeling optimistic over her relationship with Orlando.
    Just then, Stas gave his reply.
    â€œWe’ve been over this before: that’s not going to stop me from trying. Say the word and I’ll back off, but the way you were cuddling with me last night makes me think you like me.”
    Gideon felt nauseous. Not only is she getting the memories taken from her during rehabilitation, but she’s also cheating. Okay, maybe not cheating, technically, since Orlando said they were splitsville. Not the point, though! They’re still emotionally dating. Same thing. What do I do? For the time being, he grabbed Stas's number and saved it in his own phone for further research. It was a place to start if nothing else. I don't think anyone will believe me until I can get more evidence.

Chapter Two
    C adence poked JD in the side and whispered, “Stop yawning! You know it’s contagious!”
    â€œLike cooties,” he teased, whispering back, and then yawned again anyway.
    She frowned, deeply concerned for him. Telling jokes might have been normal for him, but not so much the constant exhaustion. “Is your little brother teething again? Because you’re a lot more tired than usual, and that’s saying a lot since you sleep through three class periods every day.”
    â€œNo, I’m fine. Maybe it’s a growth spurt.” He winked then put his head on his desk. “Wake me up when the hour is over. Okay?”
    â€œYou should go to the nurse,” she urged. “Fake sick and nap there.” Though she wondered if perhaps he was actually ill for a change. Either way, at least he wouldn’t humiliate himself in class.
    He groaned quietly. “Banned from that. Done it too many times this year.”
    Only you, JD, only you. She sighed, deciding to let it go. Their