Souls in Peril Read Free

will.”
    “I promise. The next time I see them, I will.” He slipped his arms around her waist and tugged her close.
    “Thank you. Larry is right over there.” Em pointed over Max's shoulder. He twisted to see Larry eating a Snicker's bar while digging through his cyclone of a locker. Max groaned out loud, not his intention.
    “I knew it. I knew you wouldn't apologize.” Em wiggled out of Max's arms and ripped open the door of her car .
    “I'm going right now,” he said, exasperated with the entire conversation. He'd apologize just to end the fight. Arguing over The Ten ? So not a priority to Max. He stomped his way across the short space between the row of senior lockers and the parking lot.
    Max raced up to Larry as he buried his arm deep in his locker , obviously search ing for something in the back. Probably a Twinkie, Max thought. “Hey, Larry.”
    Larry didn't turn, he just kept digging away at the mound of trash.
    “Larry,” Max said a little louder, this time adding a tap to Larry's shoulder. Larry sprung around in surprise. His arms shot up in front of his face as if to block a punch.
    Max waved and stepped back ; the guy smelled awful. “Hi, Larry,” Max reiterated.
    “My name is JD. It’s short for Jayden.” JD pushed the smudged glasses that had slid down his nose back up to his eyes.
    “When did you get glasses, JD?” Max asked.
    “In third grade.” JD's voice came out so soft Max could hardly hear him. Why hadn't he ever noticed JD'S glasses before?
    “Oh. Well, Em thinks I hurt your feelings back over by the bleachers , and she wanted me to apologize.” Max shook his head and added, “She's probably PMS'ing. Know what I mean?”
    A quizzical expression crossed JD’s face . Clearly he had no idea what Max meant. “Anyway, I tried telling her it was all in fun and you didn't take it seriously, but she insisted. So, no hard feelings, 'K?” Max held up his hand and JD awkwardly slapped it.
    “Thanks. No one's ever apologized for being mean to me before.” JD smiled.
    Max frowned. Maybe Em was right. Maybe JD did just need a friend. He twisted anxiously, decid ing to follow Em's advice. “So, if you ever want a workout buddy, let me know,” Max offered.
    “Really? That'd be great. I've wanted to get in better shape . I just didn't know what to do.” JD jabbed his glasses back up his nose.
    “Sure. I go to the gym in town . W e ’ll go together. Maybe on Monday, after school?”
    “Oh, the gym.” JD dropped his head a little. “Maybe. Gym's make my asthma act up. Thanks anyway.” JD went back to searching his locker as Max nodded and jogged back to Em.
    Asthma. It's just an excuse not to exercise , Max thought. His best friend Leo had asthma and he worked out regularly. Leo just had to be smart about his routine. He wanted to say I told you so to Emma, but not being a dummy, he smiled and gave her a bear hug.
    “You feel better now, don't you?” she asked as he set her down.
    Actually, h e did feel better. That surprised him a little. He shrugged the feeling off. “Yes. And I invited him to workout with me sometime.”
    “You did? Thank you, Max.” Em planted a big kiss on his lips. “I have the sweetest, kindest boyfriend ever. Never leave me.”
    “ I’ m here for you, Em. A lways and forever ,” he assured her.
    “ And I'm sorry for getting mad at you.” Before he could apologize, she kissed him again. My apology can wait , he thought as he returned her kiss. The kiss sparked a resolve deep within his marrow. Her kisses were like no other and had a be witching e ffect. He'd help Lumpy. F or more of her kisses, he ’ d carry the guy over lava flows , whether Lumpy wanted him to or not.
     
     
    Chapter 2
     
    “Where did I put that stupid pen?” JD wiped the sweat from his brow with one hand while continu ing to search in vain for Tim's pen. He was his mother's latest boyfriend and the meanest one yet. They'd been together six months and already he had scars to