The Mind Readers Read Free Page A

school. I’d been through so many educational systems,
never staying long enough to make true friends, that I’d been desperate when
we’d moved here a year ago. When Emily had taken an interest, I admit my
self-esteem had savored the attention of the most popular girl in school.
    I’d had a plan, enjoy senior year
as best I could and try to go out on top. For the last two months I’d noticed
her changing, but had hoped I could stick it out until graduation. But I
couldn’t ignore her bitterness anymore. It was only one issue in a long list
with reading minds… you knew a person’s true self. The self that was so dark
and desperate, they’d do anything to keep it hidden. She wanted me to feel
horrible, less than her, she loved it. Knowing she could get any guy she
wanted, knowing I couldn’t, made her feel special.
    Still, I was her friend because for
the most part, we had fun and as pathetic as it sounded, being her best friend
made me feel special. Besides, I didn’t want to ruin this last year. And so we
used each other. Believe me, the irony wasn’t lost. But how much longer could I
take her cattiness? Suddenly, graduating with friends didn’t seem so important.
    The gray clapboard sided diner
came into view, perched there on the edge of the sea, looking ready to tumble
down at the first sign of a storm. Emily pulled into the parking lot, gravel
crunching like boney victims under the wheels of her perfect car.
    Although school had only been
out an hour, the lot was already half full. And there was Kevin’s black SUV. A
guy I hadn’t even had a chance to start a relationship with because I’d already
lost him to Emily. And that’s how it was; I was friends with girls who were
popular because I knew what they wanted from me. I knew exactly what to say,
when to say it. But while they got the boys and got to be prom queen, I stood
cheering on the sidelines.
    I barely listened to her happy
chatter as we made our way up the rickety steps to the front porch. Emily was
so caught up in her own conversation, she didn’t even notice the rat scurry
across the steps. Every time we came to the diner, I was amazed it was still
open. I’d expected the Health Department to shut the place down long ago. But
if they shut it down, we’d have no place to go and that’s why the city left it
alone.
    “Hey! Cameron, I need to talk to
you.” Annabeth came rushing across the deck where she’d been serving drinks to
students brave enough to sit outside in the wind. She stuffed a couple dollars
into the apron tied around her waist. Her pink sweater clashed with her red
hair, and she’d never exactly been called gorgeous. Still, she was friendly and
had soft brown eyes and a wide smile that always made me want to smile back. I
liked her the moment we’d met. I’d been a new student and she’d been the first
to talk to me. For that, I’d always be grateful.  
    “I’ll wait for you over there.”
Emily hated Annabeth, not because she didn’t think Anne was popular or pretty
enough. Nope, Emily was jealous because she didn’t like the fact that I spent
time with someone other than her. She was also jealous that Annabeth was a
genius at math and science while Emily could barely pass. I’d tried to explain
this to Anne, but she couldn’t possibly believe the most popular girl in school
would be jealous of her. Of course I couldn’t tell her that I knew it for a
fact.
    “What’s up, Anne?” I asked.
    We leaned against the railing; I
huddled deep within my jacket. The sun was setting, sending brilliant reds and
oranges shimmering across the waves. When the sun set, the temperature dropped
fast, but I wasn’t eager to go inside.
    “I’ve met someone.”
    I snapped my gaze toward her,
more than surprised. As far as I knew, Annabeth had never dated anyone. “Who?”
    George Miller she thought right before she said the words. “George
Miller.” A man popped into her mind, an image she’d conjured. Tall and