Beautiful Torment Read Online Free Page A

eyes immediately narrow in on the next picture: Joshua Harrington.
    He started teaching two years ago, and also coaches the boy’s track team. Even though it’s only a black and white picture, it’s obvious his eyes twinkle. His smile alone makes my mouth water.
    Mom suddenly barges into my room and I snap the book shut, like I’m doing something wrong.
    “How was your first day?” She crosses her arms and I can tell she’s definitely mad about something. I didn’t even know she was home!
    “I thought you were working?” Sure, it’s not the greatest response, but my heart is beating so rapidly I can’t think of anything better.
    “I left early so I could be here when you girls got home from your first day,” she sighs. “Do you know that Gracie is very upset?”
    “No,” I mumble.
    “She’s crying. She says she ran into you in the halls twice today and you ignored her both times. None of her friends are in any of her classes and she hates school.”
    “I didn’t see her,” I defend, and I honestly didn’t. “I hated my first day freshman year too. There are so many new kids. She just has to get used to it.”
    “You know she doesn’t do well with change, Luci!” Her stern look bores into me. “Maybe you should pay attention when she’s in the hall and walk with her.”
    I want to tell her that there are a million kids in the halls, and I can’t just spend my time searching for Gracie. It’s nearly impossible. But instead, I nod in agreement as Mom continues. “You two used to be so close,” her eyes start to water. “What-”
    “God, Mom, calm down, I’ll go talk to her,” I discard the yearbook and huff past her into Gracie’s room.

SEPTEMBER 11
    By the following Monday, I'm thankful to not only have survived the first couple of days, but the first weekend too. It wasn't nearly as hard as it usually is, and oddly, I didn't dread its end. In fact, I was looking forward to it with an unnatural excitement. I'm clearly going to far surpass everyone in these non-honors classes, I already received 100 on my first Spanish quiz, and today, I'm so prepared for the chemistry periodic table quiz that it’s not even funny. Bring on your stupid daily quizzes, Mr. Harrington, because I’m ready.
    I try not to think about the strange desire I have to be good at science this year. Nor do I think about my teacher. Well, I try not to at least. I’ve downgraded my crazy first day reaction to nothing more than being surprised and shocked by his age. I mean, how many young and good-looking teachers do you find? I know I’ve never had the pleasure of staring at any eye candy during lectures in my school career thus far. It's a nice change that clearly caught me by surprise, and that’s all.
    His hotness has nothing to do with the fact that I really look forward to his class.
    Nothing at all.
     
     
     
    Everything in life got put in perspective the following day. Not only for me personally, but also for the entire world.
    On September 11, New York City, which is located a mere hour or so from here, faced... I don’t even know how to describe it… devastation?
    I remember everything from that day, down to what I was wearing. I don't think anyone will ever, can ever, forget.
    I was in third period Spanish when I first heard. Someone came in and told Mr. Pearl, who in turn told us. We all thought for sure the pilot must have had a heart attack. Who flies into a building in the middle of New York City? We didn't know much more and went on with the day’s lesson.
    By next period, in social studies, rumor had it a second plane had hit.
    This was no accident.
    I don't know what my face looked like, but I'll never forget the faces of those around me. Suddenly, an announcement came over the loudspeaker: All those whose parents work in Manhattan, please report to the attendance office.
    My dad doesn’t make a lot in his small store, but I’ve never been happier that he doesn’t work in the City, like so