After Alex Died Read Online Free Page B

volunteered any information.
    I had a feeling that Sofia wasn’t going to give up that easily. I had known her for less than a day but I already knew she was the type of person that always got her way.
    Antonio looked at me then he looked at Cameron. “Did the two of you date or something?”
    I nearly spit out the French fry I had shoved into my mouth. “No,” I nearly shouted.
    Cameron looked at Antonio. “No, man. It wasn’t anything like that.”
    Antonio nodded but he was still looking back and forth b etween us with a puzzled expression as if he was trying to figure what was going on.
    Why would anyone think Cameron and I had dated? The idea was absurd.
    “I’m a little freaked out about the trips we’ve got to chaperone,” Sofia admitted. “Especially taking high school kids to New York City. That seems like a recipe for disaster if you ask me.”
    Antonio made a dismissive gesture. “They’re sixteen and se venteen year olds. They’re going to be seniors in high school. It’s not like they’re little kids. I’m sure they’ll be fine.”
    “I would be less nervous if they were little kids,” she replied. “Big kids can think of more creative ways to get in trouble.”
    “You have a point,” I agreed.
    Cameron cleared his throat and spoke. “These are kids from disadvantaged backgrounds. They had to work really hard to even be considered for this program. It’s an honor and it’s also a responsibility. I don’t think they’ll give us much trouble. I just don’t think they’d do anything to jeopardize their ability to finish the program and what it means for their futures. They’re not like spoiled rich kids —”
    “Who have everything handed to them on a silver platter,” I interjected.
    Cameron glanced at me and continued, “And then throw it all away because they don’t appreciate it.”
    Both Antonio and Sofia were wide-eyed. I don’t think they expected him to speak that bluntly. What they didn’t realize was that he was the spoiled rich kid he referred to in his speech. He once had everything and he didn’t appreciate it. Now it sounded like he had lost it all.
    When most of the other counselors started to grab their trays and head towards the exit, I figured it was time to get back to work.
    “Guess lunch break is over,” Antonio said as he hopped out of his seat and grabbed his tray. Sofia followed him and that left Cameron and I seated at the table. I rose from my seat but then I thought I heard Cameron say, “Wait.”
    He was looking up at me with his flat green eyes. He swallowed and I waited for him speak. “I never told you how sorry I was.”
    I folded my arms over my chest. “Sorry for what?” I wanted to know if he was just sorry for my brother dying or sorry for what he did—or both.
    He gulped. “Sorry for everything.”
    “That’s not good enough,” I spat as I turned and hurried away.
     
    ***
     
    The afternoon sessions were a blur. All I could think about was Cameron’s lame attempt at an apology. Sorry for everything . That was nowhere close to being good enough. I wanted Cameron to admit what he had done. I wanted him to take responsibility for his actions and his role in my brother’s suicide. He was alive and my brother was dead and I wanted someone to blame—I needed someone to blame—and I wanted that someone to be Cameron.
     
    ***
     
    At dinner I saw Cameron sit at the table with the two sorority girls. Figures . They were definitely his type and I had a feeling he’d eventually make his way over to them. I found out their names were Rachel and Renee. They looked so perfect-in-every-way, I wondered what obstacles they could have possibly had to overcome to be working with the College Bound program. Dr. Jones had said that was one of the criteria for getting hired. Somehow, I didn’t think breaking a manicured finger nail, or having a bad hair day, qualified as an obstacle.
    I placed my tray of greasy looking pizza next to Sofia’s.