True Connection (The Soul Mate Series) Read Free Page A

the road to the McDonald’s.
                  He laughs a little. “What’s that look all about? You’re not going ‘Evil Twin’ on me, are ya?”
                  “I just happen to know that Derik is on the football team. That’s all,” I say around a fake yawn.
                  “I hope he goes to the early training camp.” He’s grinning like a hyena. I wish I could see what he does to him.
                  At least this school is closer to civilization than our old school. The break there wasn’t long enough to try and get food outside of the cafeteria.
    We finish our lunch from McDonald’s and head back inside for our last two classes. The whole way to my math class, I feel the strange sensation that I’m being stalked. I shake off the feeling. It’s probably just Derik following me, anyway.
    Skeeter smiles and waggles her eyebrows at me when I take the empty seat behind her. I shrug, causing her to roll her eyes.
                  “You’re hopeless, Jaz.” She rolls her eyes, dramatically. “Who’s the hottie that you left with at lunch?”
                  “Oh, you mean my brother? His name is Henry.”
    Her eyes nearly pop out of her head. Am I really that bad looking that my brother being ‘hot’ is so strange and shocking? I mean, I know I didn’t apply much make-up today or do anything special with my hair. But I thought I was at least pretty.
                  “Can I hang out at your place before school? I’d love to see that, freshly showered,” she says, while fanning herself.
                  “Oh wow, gross.” I scrunch my face, but then I laugh because Skeeter wants to be one of the ‘fan club’ girls.
                  A few minutes into class, the door swings wide open with a bang. I slowly look over and talk about a “hottie,” standing there is an extremely handsome boy, if you can even classify him as a “boy.” He has short, curly, dark brown hair, eyes as green as grass, a strong chiseled jaw, and the body of an NFL football player.
    The kind of guy that makes your eyes bug out, your mouth water, your heart beat out of your chest, and your brain turn to mush. And I have all of those symptoms.
                  I look down at my desk as my cheeks heat. I wish I’d taken the time to dress to impress instead of comfort. It’s my sister’s favorite band t-shirt. I wanted to feel close to her. I missed our traditional first day of school breakfast, chocolate chip pancakes and preparatory first-day insults.
                  I ignore those thoughts and try focusing on the next problem.
                  “Making an entrance, Mr. Neill? Take your seat and begin with the problems on the board,” Mr. Wolfe says.
                  Mr. Neill makes his way towards my side of the room silently and sits in the empty seat behind me. I stiffen, and might even be holding my breath.
    I wonder if he’s looking at the back of my head instead of working on the problems Mr. Wolfe listed. I wonder if my hair is sticking up all demented looking or with a French fry sticking out of my hair. I fidget throughout the class, run my hands through my hair, straighten my shirt, and shift in my seat.
                  When Mr. Wolfe announces the end of the lesson, Skeeter turns in her seat to face me. “So, Jaz, I’m curious. How do you know Leland Jefferies?”
                  That’s one question I’m not ready to answer, maybe not ever.
    Leland’s a local celebrity and was active in the community with my mom, well, before the accident. If Skeeter figures out he’s my uncle, she’ll know exactly who I am and what happened to my family.
                  “Skeeter, it’s Jasmine’s first day. Can’t you wait for her second or third day to get her life story?” It’s the distractingly hot guy behind me who says