Never Forever Read Free Page A

to me. The compulsion to answer his question is far too strong for me to fight.
    Mr. Bramble’s eyes widen as he notices my hand going up. He gives a slight nod in my direction. “The fact that you have the word tragedy on the board, along with these books, makes me think of two different reasons. One is most of the stories in that time period have some type of tragedy the protagonist has gone or will go through. But my second reason is to never judge a book by its cover. No matter how much the world has destroyed it, there is still a beautiful, worthwhile story within its pages.”
    The entire class instantly turns and looks at me, as if they have just realized I am in their class. Their expressions range from utter shock to complete amazement. Some of the girls exhale forcefully through their noses, giving off a sound of disgust. Their eyes begin searching over every detail of me. An unnerving wave of embarrassment sweeps over me, causing my cheeks to blush.
    “Thank you Miss…” He looks down at the list of students in his class. “…Miss Hayes. That is a fairly decent answer.” A feeling of satisfaction prickles through me. Though I am happy about my answer I am also frustrated with myself. I can no longer hide. I am a visible participant now. I know it and now everyone else knows it, too.
    Mr. Bramble grabs his lecture notes and tucks them neatly into his briefcase. Turning towards us he adds, “We’re going to do something a little different today. We’re going to take the first reason Ms. Hayes gave us and run with it. I’m going to break you all up into small groups of two or three. I then want each of you to share a tragic experience from your life.” A mixture of gasps and shrills of excitement reverberate through the class. “We’re all the protagonists in our lives. If you have not yet experienced the effects of tragedy, I assure you, you soon will.”
    A numbing sensation spreads fervently throughout my quivering body. This is not possible. I can’t be here. I can’t do this. There’s no way in hell I am going to share with any of these people my tragedy. My only hope is that no one will want to have me as their partner.
    Mr. Bramble interrupts my optimistic thought by adding, “So we get some truthful experiences I am going to segregate you into my own groups.” As he begins dividing the groups up my panic increases, causing sweat beads to form on my upper brow. My shallow breathing escalates into a state of distress. Why did I have to speak up? Now even my professor knows I exist.
    “Ms. Hayes, will you please join Mr. Hughes at the back table.”
    Oh shit. Why did I have to come today? Closing my eyes tightly I audibly exhale discontentedly as I head to the back table where Callum now sits patiently waiting. His immaculately polished appearance is such a sharp contrast to his relaxed and nonchalant posture. Hastily grabbing my chair I sit down, adjusting my bulky sweater. Cautiously I look up into his liquid caramel color eyes. His posture does not adjust a bit. Callum stays in his slight languid position, examining me with his intensely scrutinizing eyes. My trembling hands grab onto my sweater, adjusting and covering every part of my torso. His penetrating gaze almost seems to peer right through me. My eyes narrow, deepening the furrow between my brows as a conundrum of thoughts rally around in my head. I’m not sure if he’s disgusted he is stuck with me, or if he’s truly trying to figure me out.
    Attempting to get this over with quickly, I demand, “You go first.”
    A brief smile tickles the corners of his mouth, “Bloody hell, you just want to bang to it, huh. Don’t want to get to know each other first?” he asks without adjusting his reclined posture the whole time.
    Disgusted by his sly and sexual reference, I answer flatly, “No. I prefer not getting to know you. Nothing personal, I just want to get this over…”
    He immediately sits up, causing the once relaxed aura