Payback Read Free

He’s having what I’m guessing is his last before-school cigarette.
    “What’s up?” I pause and smile at him. I know that he’s still getting over Felicity’s death. I think we all are. But in some ways Jack’s opened up since all that happened. Or maybe it’s just that more people started reaching out to him and he realized he still has friends.
    “Not much,” he says as he blows out a puff of smoke. “Nice day, huh?”
    “Totally,” says Olivia. “Will you be at band practice tomorrow?”
    “Uh-huh.” He nods and takes in a long drag.
    “I’ll see ya there,” Olivia says as we head into the building.
    “Catch ya later,” I call. “Don’t be late for class, Jack.” I hear his sarcastic laugh as I go inside, and I can tell he’s thinking,
Yeah, sure, Since when do I care?
But I hope he’ll start caring. I hope he’ll begin to see that his life has more value than just hanging and acting tough. Still, he’s made some progress. And he’s talking to us. That’s worth a lot.
    Olivia and I part ways, and as I navigate the crowded halls, I keep my eyes peeled for a pretty blonde with three piercings in one ear. And while I see girls who sort of fit the image, I already know and recognize these girls, and it’s obvious that none of them is the one from my dream. More and more I am convinced that my dream is not about our school. And maybe it’s not even a prom. It could be a wedding or some other formal occasion.
    After Creative Writing, I call Ebony and quickly explain the dream to her. When she asks for more details, I pull out my notebook and read the whole thing to her. “My first guess isthat it’s a prom,” I finally tell her, “But I suppose it could be a wedding or something.”
    “Okay, let’s start with the first possibility. If it’s a prom, do you think it’s your school? Was it the Brighton High prom?”
    “I don’t know…The girl and guy were totally unfamiliar.”
    “When is your prom?”
    “The second weekend of May.”
    “That’s almost a month out.”
    “I know…”
    “But if it’s not Brighton’s prom, it could be sooner.”
    “Exactly what I was thinking.”
    “Well, this is helpful for starters,” she says. “How about I do some initial research on who’s having proms and where and when and you come by after school so we can kick it around some more? Okay?”
    “Sounds good.” I hang up and think how much I like working
    with Ebony. It’s ironic that she used to be Dad’s partner. But I suppose that’s part of the reason she gets me. Also, she seems to understand my gift. And she’s a Christian. All in all, I feel really blessed to know her—and to work with her.
    “Hey, Sam,” says Conrad as he catches me on my way to Journalism. “What’s up?”
    “Not much.”
    “Want to go out tonight?”
    “Sure. What did you have in mind?”
    “Well, Alex said that Olivia suggested a movie. But not a chick flick, I hope.”
    “Oh yeah,” I tease. “I heard it involves lots of designer clothes and killer shoes, not to mention giggling and chocolate, and I think there’s an over-the-top wedding and—”
    “Come on, Sam.” His pale brows pull together in a slight frown.
    I wink at him. “Actually, I think you’ll like it.”
    “Cool.” He smiles in relief, then waves as he takes off.
    “Later,” I call out as I watch him jogging down the breezeway, trying to beat the bell. His long lanky form topped by that curly red hair looks slightly comical from here. I chuckle to myself, then turn and go into the classroom, where whatever seemed humorous suddenly evaporates.
    I still get jolted by the loss of Felicity every time I walk into Journalism. We had this class together, and I’d been trying to get to know her—I’d actually been making progress. There was no denying the girl was definitely a misfit, but she was also interesting and intelligent. Too smart, I’d hoped, to be involved in the kind of crud she’d been involved in. Then, even