Sparked (The Metal Bones Series Book 1) Read Free Page A

Carmen breathed.
    “She did?” Sydney clapped her hands together.
    “Lucky you. What kind?” Carmen asked.
    I can’t believe they are excited about this.
    “Some type of chef one.”
    “I cannot believe you aren’t jumping up and down right now.” Sydney stared at me. “You won’t have to eat your mom’s food anymore. How lucky are you?”
    Neither of our moms could cook.
    “Is it a guy or a girl?” Carmen asked.
    “Guy.”
    “Double lucky,” Carmen said, dreamily. “My aunt bought some old lady one.”
    Jayla was looking between me and my sprained hand.
    Oh no. Jayla please don’t—
    “You hit him. Didn’t you?” Jayla glowered.
    “Whoa, whoa, whoa,” I said, when they all narrowed their eyes at me. “It was a mistake. I forgot it was there. Mom did just buy it and, believe me”—I put my hands on my hips—“it hurt me more than it hurt it.”
    “Oh boy.” Sydney rested her face in her hands. “Your mom’s going to be pissed.”
    “I know.” Mom would find out, and when she did there would be trouble.
    “Well that’s a story you don’t hear every day, or ever, really,” Carmen said.
    “Are you okay?” Jayla lifted my wrist again for a closer inspection.
    “I think it’s just a sprain.” I rubbed my knuckles. “I just need more time to get adjusted to things.”
    “Right.” Carmen rolled her eyes. “Because that anti-robot demonstration you were in last week really brings that point home.”
    I narrowed my eyes.
    After robots became available for purchase, I joined a protest group rallying outside of the Liberty Bell to enlighten people about the detriments of robots in society. It was actually kind of nice to meet the ten people in Pennsylvania who felt the same way I did.
    “It’s my civil right. Besides, there weren’t enough people there to require the presence of cops anyway.”
    Sydney made a face. “The news was there, recording the whole thing, even if the cops weren’t.”
    “Robots aren’t all that bad. Once you get used to him, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without him for so long.” Jayla patted my shoulder.
    “Maybe.” I frowned and looked down at my knuckles.
    Or maybe it’s all some type of cover-up.
    “Anyways, sit down,” Sydney said. “Take a load off. Lighten your feet.” She slid out a chair for me.
    “We wanted to ask you, what are you doing Wednesday evening?”
    They leaned forward.
    “Um, well, let me see.” I searched for an excuse. “I don’t know. I’ll let you know when I get home, look at my calendar.”
    “Well.” Sydney smiled. “I already called your mom. She checked your calendar and said you were free.”
    “Oh?” Thanks, Mom. “Well, yes, I guess I am free then.”
    “Great!” Carmen said.
    “You’re going to love it!” Jayla joined in.
    “I’m going to love what?”
    “Jayla met this guy, in her European History class, and we decided to arrange for you guys to go on a blind date!” Sydney’s eyes were glowing.
    “He’s got really big shoulders!” Carmen said.
    “And dreamy eyes . . .” Sydney melted with her.
    “What?” This couldn’t be right.
    “He said he’ll pick you up Wednesday, at your house, around five for dinner and a movie,” Jayla said.
    They had to be kidding.
    I opened my books. “I thought we were supposed to be studying.”
    Sydney stared at me.
    “No. I’m not going. Tell him I got sick or something.”
    “We already told him you would love to go,” Carmen said, with an edge to her voice.
    “You what?”
    “When was the last time you went out on a date?” Jayla asked.
    “And you’ve never had a serious boyfriend,” Carmen chimed in.
    Thanks, but this is not what I came here for.
    “I’ve been on dates. They all end the same. What makes you think this guy’s going to be any different?”
    “Give him a chance,” Sydney said. “If it really makes you that uncomfortable, you can go on a double date with Bobby and me.”
    Even more awkward. A date with