Shift (The Neturu Chronicles) Read Free Page A

her notebook and
sighs.  Writing just isn’t her thing.  She always feels like her
ideas are way too out there and weird, and Kayla doesn’t want to be
judged. 
    When someone sits in front
of her, she looks up and then straightens in her chair.  Kayla instantly
recognizes the figure.  “Jackson,” she barely breathes out.
                   
Jackson slowly turns in his seat and looks at her.  “Yes?”
                   
Totally embarrassed, Kayla’s eyes widen.  “Nothing, sorry…I sometimes
blurt things out.”
                   
“That could make for some interesting situations.  Do you like to just
yell things out, like, Tourette’s style?”
                   
Kayla’s jaw drops.  “No!”
                   
He gets a devilish grin on his face.  “Wow, I didn’t think someone could
get that red.”
                   
Kayla slaps her hands over her face.  “Shut up.”
                   
“You blush really easily.  Why are you so embarrassed? I thought you were
stronger than that.”
                   
“Why would you think I was strong?”
                   
Shrugging, Jackson gives her a stone expression.  “By the way you spoke to
Jude, but maybe I’m wrong.”
                   
She studies him for a second.  “Why did you stand up for me?”
                   
“Is that what I did?” he replies with almost no feeling.
                   
“That’s what it seemed like.”
                   
Jackson shrugs again. “If you’re going to hurt someone, you may as well do it
effectively.”
                   
“That guy is an idiot. Total jerk.”
                   
“So am I, most of the time.”
                   
“You don’t seem to be.”
                   
The corner of Jackson’s mouth turns up.  “Oh, just wait.”
                   
“I’m sure you’re still familiarizing yourself with everything, so if you need anything,
just ask.”
                   
The smirk on Jackson’s face disappears.  “I think I’ll pass.”
                   
Kayla is so shocked by his attitude that she can’t form a reply before Jackson
turns back around.  She stares at the back of his head with her mouth
gaping open.  The rest of class goes by without any more interaction with
him, but Kayla can’t get past his rudeness.
                   
After class, Kayla finds Tracy and says, “Let’s get out of here.”
                   
“Oh my God.” Tracy giggles. “I told everyone about Jackson.”
                   
“I don’t think you should talk about him,” Kayla whispers harshly.  “He’s
kind of a jerk, and I don’t think he would like it.”
                   
Tracy raises her eyebrows.  “Did he talk to you again?”
                   
“Yes, but I don’t want to talk about it.  He’s just…I don’t know…kind of
mean.”
                   
“Still hot in my book,” Tracy sighs as she opens the door for her friend.
                   
When they get back to Kayla’s house, Kayla asks, “Are you coming in?”
                   
“Sure, for a few minutes.”
                   
They go inside and Kayla yells, “Mom? Dad?”
                   
No one answers.  Tracy inquires, “Are they off hiking again?”
                   
“Probably. I swear, that’s all they do and then they come back a mess.  I
don’t even want to know what they do out there.”
                   
“Ewww, gross.”
                   
Kayla shoves her hands out.  “Sometimes they come back practically covered
in dirt.  It’s