Full Moon Read Free Page A

building was very basic. I loved the
outdoor courtyard in the center. Every surrounding classroom had a
view of it.
    Stuffing the map in my backpack, I headed down a flight of
stairs to make my way to the front entrance. As I passed the front
office, a pretty, petite girl walked out. I didn’t mean to but I
couldn’t help staring. She reminded me of someone. I couldn’t place
who. She had gorgeous blonde hair, long and in a million braids.
Her eye color made me think of Niagara Falls. They were bright on
her bronzed face. This girl…definitely one
of the popular ones.
    “ You new?” Her gaze roamed me up and down.
    I nodded. Her
voice had a tone of confidence mine would never have.
    She linked her
arm through mine and steered me towards the exit. “I drove here.
’Bout time someone new showed up.” Her leg kicked out and she
tapped the handicap button by the front doors, letting the door
open automatically. “I’m Grace and we need something fun for
Saturday.”
    “ Fun? Saturday?” I tried scratching my head. However, being
tugged at an almost sprinting speed, I only managed to tug my
fingers through my curly hair. I kind of liked her free spirit and
crazy pushiness. Who wouldn’t be curious if this girl was nuts or
actually fun?
    “ I forgot. You don’t know anything yet.” A cascade of laughter
erupted from her. “Sorry. The senior class has a party the weekend
before school starts. You’ll come, right?”
    It wasn’t like
my plans were laid out for the weekend. I might get to see Michael
if he attended the high school. Except, in the few moments I spent
with him, he seemed older somehow. Grace was like one giant
fireball of energy. Someone who chattered, so I wouldn’t have to.
“Sure. Sounds nice.”
    Her vice-grip
on my arm released when we came to the world’s tiniest car.
    “ It’s a smart car. Awesome, isn’t it?” Grace patted the
bonnet.
    I pointed my
finger at a pair of pink fuzzy dice hanging off the mirror. “I
think they’re bigger than your car.”
    Grinning,
Grace unlocked the doors. “My brother got those for me.” She rolled
her eyes but patted the dice affectionately. “Oh shoot, I didn’t
even ask.” She smacked her head. “Do you need to stop by your place
before we head to the mall?”
    “ Probably a good idea.” A change of clothes seemed required. I
felt underdressed. I didn’t have loads of money, but it wouldn’t
hurt to check out the mall.
    Grace zoomed
out of the school lot and headed in the direction I pointed. She
swung the little car on my street and then slammed on the brakes
right in front of the house. Freaky, as I’d only pointed and never
said the house number.
    She jumped out
of the car faster than I could get my seat belt off. I stepped out
and pulled at my shirt, not in a rush to go inside. Grace just
seemed a lot classier than my dilapidated house.
    “ I, uh, live here with my foster folks…”
    “ No way! My brother and I are adopted. I totally know the
feeling.” She smiled. The sympathy in her eyes too much for
me.
    “ Maybe similar, but trust me, it’s completely different.” I
pulled out my house key. “I get the feeling your folks are pretty
well off. Jim and Sally are, well…they just are…They work hard,
but…” Not knowing what else to say, I turned and headed towards the
front porch. The neighborhood and house spoke better than I
could.
    Grace followed
on my heels, but I didn’t miss the funny look on her face. When I
opened the front door, she pinched her nose. Her face screwed up
tight.
    “ Sorry. It’s bleach. We’ve been cleaning and
painting.”
    She coughed,
politely covering her mouth and dropping all expression from her
face. “It’s fine. It just caught me by surprise.” She glanced
around. “The place is, uh, cute.”
    Jim lay on the
couch watching TV in dirty jogging pants and a paint-stained shirt,
one of those ugly wife-beater tank tops. He lowered the volume with
the remote and waved before looking over.