The Haret (The Haret Series) Read Free Page B

quarterback, Zach Embry, tossed the ball, landing it directly into David’s hands. He pivoted, and then dashed toward the end zone, snaking through the opposing team’s defense as if he were invisible. Score!  The crowd leaped to their feet as David performed his victory dance, slamming the ball onto the blue and white turf. The cheerleaders performed aerials and high kicks from the sidelines. Air horns blared while buttery popcorn rained down over Felicitas. Stone River High continued their winning streak. The stands emptied as everyone made a victorious run onto the field… everyone but Felicitas. She remained seated, staring straight ahead, her mind on only one thing.
         Esther did an about face and bolted back up the bleachers.
         “Where’s your school spirit? Get your lazy butt on the field. You’re not still feeling sick are you?”
         Felicitas nodded. “No I’m good. Just a little tired.”
         Esther fell back onto the stadium seats and whispered excitedly.
         “Everyone’s going to Reed’s house tonight. There’s a bonfire and hayride.” Her grin remained plastered across her face, her eyes dancing in excitement.
         “I know, Ian told me to go and have fun.”
         “Wanna go?”
    Felicitas sighed. Another delay in talking to Esther about her pregnancy and the bizarre way she felt it might have happened.
                  “I kind of just wanted to go back to your house and talk.”
                  Esther bit her bottom lip.
                  “That’s right you wanted to talk and I am being totally selfish wanting to go to the Redicks and humiliate myself by pathetically trying to get Reed’s attention. I’m just setting myself up for a major disappointment aren’t I?”
    Felicitas smiled.
                  “No you’re not. I see him looking at you from a distance. I bet if you go tonight he’ll talk to you. You should go and have fun, we can talk tomorrow.”
                  Esther shook her head. “No way, I’m not going without you.”
     
     
         Felicitas protested. “Hayrides are no fun without him.”
         “How late is he performing tonight?”
         “Not sure, I think they go on last. Besides, the gig is somewhere in Nashville, he said he’d never make it in time.”
         Esther remained positive and giddy.
          “Well…I don’t have a date either, but it will be fun.”
         “Fun for you, you can flirt. Besides I’ll just make everyone uncomfortable.”
         Esther laughed. “No you won’t. People don’t care Taz. You don’t go around judging everyone and they know it. If you want to remain pure until marriage that’s your business. You don’t force your ideas on everyone. You got a lot of friends girl, and I am sure they want you on the hayride. Besides you’re a challenge and a turn on to the guys.”
         “Esther!”
         “Well it’s true. Please let’s go…I really really want to.”
         Felicitas smiled at her friend pleading like a four year old. Esther had developed a crush on Reed back in the fifth grade and was faithful to her infatuation ever since. He never paid any attention to her in spite of her obvious advances towards him until recently. He began to notice Esther at the beginning of the school year and so had everyone else. She was a late bloomer but she certainly blossomed. Contact lenses replaced eyeglasses, braces were removed during the summer, and her body went from a broomstick to an hourglass.
         Felicitas had always adored Esther eyeglasses and all. She was the best friend a girl could ask for and had been since the third grade. They had grown up together playing make believe in Felicitas enormous back yard, being damsels fighting dragons and awaiting rescue by their handsome prince. Felicitas prince was always one she made up in her imagination, but Esther’s prince was