Page 7 (1/2)

"What about you, Ari?" Laurie asked "Aren’t you scared heading off to Philadelphia all by yourself? I know it’s only a state away but the big city… kind of scary, no?"

Shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up…

"You’ll probably uys there Do you knohat classes you’re going to take yet? I’o to Penn? He must be so proud Maybe he can help you pick out classes Are you getting a single rooer Ari slid back from the desk with a loud scrape of her chair Laurie looked up at her wide-eyed "You OK?"

Trying to still the tre in her hands, Ari nodded jerkily "Just need the bathroo the bathroom pass from the teacher, Ari ducked out into the school hallways, cold air fro the with relief Wanting some of the real stuff Ari took off towards the front entrance, pushing the heavy door open with a ht that greeted her Out in the parking lot, in the bright sun, Charlie stood with a sopho at her in a way that caused an aching wave of salt water to crash over Ari, nipping her eyes, disorientating her, knocking her off her feet It was the kind of sirl he wanted to kiss Vivien raised a joint to her mouth in full view of the school She inhaled, and before she could exhale, Charlie pressed his lips to hers, kissing her deep, his hand clasping the back of her head He drew back and blew out the s

It wasn’t the first ti out with someone else And just like every other ti bitch

The kiss settled in her stomach like a lump of solid stone, her day officially ruined Ari tre them head off across the lot towards the stoner’s spot If it was the last thing she did before she left Ohio she would save that little tool from himself Pissed off, she sla towards her locker and ripping her bag out of it She couldn’t bear to listen to Laurie’s college chatter and she couldn’t bear to be even 100 yards fro

As soon as Ari stepped outside the gates a feeling of relief flooded her She glanced back at the school, be sensation of disconnection It seeh school and was just waiting for the end of semester to catch up with her Maybe she was terrified of the future… it didn’tto the school It was one part of her past that truly was history

The sun beat down on her back as she strolled ho her day a little again as she deliberately avoided any thought of Charlie and the sophoet what she’d seen Ari stepped forward to cross the street without looking Strong hands came down on her shoulders at the same time a horn blasted Hauled back onto the sidewalk by the hands, Ari watched, heart pounding, as a truck blew passed her

"Jesus Christ," she cursed at the nearher rescuer’s delicious scent of sandalwood and dark spices She turned to thank the hero, the words sticking in her throat at the sight of the ene she had san to dissipate Ari searched the space all around her Nothing She had not iined those hands If it weren’t for those hands she’d be splattered across the front of a truck

What the hell was going on?

Another poltergeist?

But she’d never felt Ms Maggie Ms Maggie wasn’t a solid shape This thing had been a solid shape Fear rose in the back of her throat

"I’around, Ari’s eyes settled on Rachel, hanging out the driver’s sideof her car "Rache?" she frowned

Rachel grinned at her "I saw you ditching and decided it looked like fun and it’s not like we can really get in trouble now, right? Coet in I’ve already text Staci and AJ to ditch and o to the store, buy so out with her friends sounded wonderful to Ari So relaxing So nor dopeheads or invisible hands Perfect She grinned shakily and skipped over to the passenger side door

Ari struggled to open the jar of pickles She slaranite kitchen counter, knowing her dad would have killed her for that if he had been there She tried again "Crap," she groaned, shaking out her reddening hand

Rachel, as leaning against the opposite counter les , rolled her eyes "Give it here"

"You’re, like, half the size of et it, you can’t"

Her friend quirked a blond eyebrow "I’ll have you know this tiny package is made of steel Give it"

To her amazement the lid popped open in Rachel’s hands Ari eyed her suspiciously, taking a pickle out "Have you been taking steroids?"

Again with the eye rolling "Oh please, I leave the drug-taking to Charlie"

Ari glared at her

Rachel laughed sheepishly "Sorry, cheap shot"

"Mmmhmm"

"Really, I am sorry How are you anyway? You seeet into it with her, Ari shrugged "I’m fine"

Her friend exhaled wearily "I’ is up with you"

God, how Ari wished she could talk to Rachel about college and howher current best friend, was the last person Ari could discuss it with Rachel had wanted to be a doctor since her cousin died of leukele-e part of her personality Unfortunately she tended to think that people that lacked focus were flakes and unworthy of her tirinned lasciviously "I knoould help"