The Crystal Bridge (The Lost Shards Book 1) Read Free Page B

to know.

Aren wasn’t surprised to find Tracy chatting like usual when fifth period rolled around. Her ability to forgive rivaled only her ability to talk.
“So Cindy totally dropped her books and punched him in the nose. He bled all over the place. It was like a geyser. Right there in the hall. She may get suspended. Did you see Steph this morning? Adam told her he couldn’t go to the dance on Friday. Oh, don’t worry. They’re fine now. Turns out his uncle died and Adam has to fly to Denver. He’s a pallbearer. Sad, huh? He’d look good in a suit. Did you hear about Tim?”
Aren cracked a smile. “No. Tell me about Tim.”
A tall, dark-haired boy walked in during the typical, modestly-contained craziness before class. Kids joked and talked throughout the room. A good humored pushing match took place near the back row. A greasy-faced boy tried to discretely rub something he’d spilled into the already stained brown carpet.
Tracy dropped the topic about Tim and grabbed Aren’s arm with a hiss. “That’s Kaden.”
The dark-haired boy took an empty desk next to Tracy, gave her a half smile, pulled out a piece of paper, and started doodling as the bell rang.
Aren fought the urge to laugh as she took her seat behind Tracy. Yeah, a winner this one, bored and drawing before class even starts. He is kinda cute though . She fought hard to keep her little brain jumping gift in check as she looked the new kid over. Tall, but not lanky. He could use a haircut…or two. Looks athletic, but thank goodness he’s not a human ball of meat like some of the jocks .
Aren’s gaze tightened, triggering the full depth of her power, and no memories swam into view, no secrets, no hidden feelings, nothing. What? She looked again. Nothing hovered around him. No cloud of thoughts. That’s new .
Aren swallowed as she blinked and looked away. She’d always seen something.
She looked again. This time she saw a wall, a mirrored wall that curved around Kaden and kept her from getting close. She pushed against the wall, staring at him now.
Someone off to her right noticed and giggled, whispering. “Looks like Aren digs the new kid.”
“Huh? Weird, I’ve never seen her look at anyone like that.”
“I know, right? She maxes out at like three seconds. She’s a freak.”
Aren ignored them. Her mind beat against the mirrored surface without effect, sliding along the slippery wall without finding any weakness.
There really is something to this guy . And it struck her, in that moment, that there was something to her as well. She saw it reflected back at her. She’d always known she was different, but until now she had no idea how unusual her gift was.
Her mind burrowed into herself as it had always done with others. Memories surfaced of her standing up to Tracy’s stepbrother, stopping the abuse years ago. I’m childish at times, but strong and like to do the right thing. Lance held her hand in the third grade. She pulled away . Tyson leaned in to kiss her on their third date and she gave him her cheek. I push love away out of fear.
The more she pushed at Kaden’s shell, the deeper she saw into herself. She waded past memories into some part of herself she had locked away, hidden emotions and fears. No, I shouldn’t be here.
Aren tried to look away, not wanting to see any more about herself, but was unable to escape the mirrors, her own stark two-toned gray eyes staring back. She fought to be free of herself, but only fell deeper and deeper into her soul. I have power and waste it on trivialities. I have a good heart, but mask it with sarcasm. I complain that life lacks adventure, but avoid doing anything too difficult. I can be cruel to those who disappoint me…no, no, no. I don’t want this.
Tears blinded her and she managed to pull away. She stood, trying to flee from the visions inside herself, but it had been too much. Aren collapsed to the floor. Her head hit hard on the thin carpet veneer that covered concrete floors and the