Between These Lines (A Young Adult Novel) Read Online Free

my own secrets, didn’t I? Though as
innocent as they were to me, they could easily set off a series of bombs if not
carefully hidden. I wondered about my ability to trust her, and felt guilty
with myself for even questioning the boundaries of our friendship. I felt
guilty for feeling something for someone other than Shane.
    For
a moment, I wished everything would go back to the way they used to be. I
touched the inside of my arm and felt the tenderness of the skin. Shane never
used to be so rough with me.
    Maybe
that’s why I let myself become so sidetracked by Chase; because I missed the
days when
    Shane
and I flirted, when everything was new and perfect.
    But
what happened in the hallway, and what was it I think I saw?
    I
couldn’t stand it any longer. It was time to face the hurdle.
    “Thanks
for leaving me hanging,” I let out, trying to sound as indifferent as possible.
    “Hanging?
When did I leave you hanging?”
    “At
lunch. Couldn’t you find at least one nice thing to say to him?”
    Tara
leaned over the sink and smoothed the tiny hairs arching at her brow. “Is that
what this silent treatment is all about? That I didn’t take Chase by the hand
and lead him around the room, introducing him to everyone so they wouldn’t feel
tempted to stop and stare at the schmuck you brought to lunch?”
    My
entire body tensed. “It was your idea.”
    “Are
you kidding me? It’s been yours for weeks.”
    I
stood and stared at her through the mirror and tried not to shake.
    Tara
leaned over and adjusted her hair, keeping her eyes on mine. “That was called
transitioning the moment, and you’re welcome, because if I hadn’t thrown that
out there, he never would have agreed to go to lunch. But since you did, you
probably could have held out your hand and he would have eaten from it; now
that would have been something to watch.”
    As
usual, Tara had a way of turning uncomfortable situations around and finding
the loophole to escape. Any sort of confrontation brought her claws out, even
if she was party to the blame. I, on the other hand, got tongue-tied, which was
exactly what was happening now.
    “What
about when the guys came in? You just sat back and let me dig my way out.” I
felt the redness seep up from my neck to the tender flesh behind my ears. She
and I were supposed to be in this together. “This is a joint project,” I said
for the thousandth time. “You can’t let this slide and expect me to pick the
pieces up for you, again.”
    “If
you’re talking about last semester’s Multi Media project, that’s old news.
Power Point and
    I
simply do not agree.” Tara’s blowing this off didn’t surprise me. But it didn’t
help things either.
    “Besides,”
she continued. “Keith Taylor was a pretty hot study partner, so you can’t blame
me for being distracted.”
    “You
have to do some of the work, which doesn’t include sitting back while I
get the third degree.”
    “Evie,
Shane’s your boyfriend to control.” Her voice then changed to a gentle,
convincing purr, “Besides, I’ve already started to help with the project.” She
turned to the mirror and proceeded to fuss with her already perfect hair. Her
smile played across her lips as her eyes flicked back and forth between her own
reflection and mine, as she waited for me to drag it out of her. It was a
typical Tara move. A classic.
    “What
do you mean you’ve already started?”
    “I
asked the guys to invite Chase to Jake’s this weekend.”
    “Why
would you do that?” My voice echoed. “We’re supposed to study, not party
together.”
    Tara
smirked and rolled her eyes, “So do both. Shane’s okay with it.”
    I
leaned against the sink to steady myself. “I’ll bet he is,” I said beneath my
breath. My stomach dropped ten feet below the floor. He knew . He knew I
was purposely trying to include
    Chase in
my life, even if it was Mr. Floyd’s idea, even if it was mandatory. It wasn’t
just the English paper. Shane knew I