Continuum Read Online Free Page A

a while.  How romantic.”
    The line inches forward and I can't stop myself from eavesdropping.  Chloe pipes up, “I have fifth period Calculus with him.  He sat next to that freak Megan Fischer.  He was asking her about this sticker she had on her notebook.  Then after class, they walked out together and they were talking about Vampire Weekend.    She is such a freak.  I don't know why he would waste his time talking to someone like her.”
    In a snarky voice, Sophia asks,  “Vampire Weekend?  Is that like some kind of weird ritual thing she does over the weekend? 
    “I think they're like a band, Soph,” Emma responds, rolling her eyes.
    Mackenzie shakes her head solemnly, “He must be a total saint to even talk to her.  Hot, smart, and charitable.”
    Emma lets out a gasp and grabs Mackenzie by the elbow, “Don't look now, but you know who just walked into the lunchroom.”
    They all let out a collective squeal before composing themselves.  Mackenzie smooths down her hair and pulls down the hem of her sweater.  They all leave the lunch line with Mackenzie sauntering out first.  High school girls are like sharks when they catch a sent of fresh blood.  
    I place a turkey and swiss on wheat sandwich and a banana on my tray.  Standing by the cashier, I do a quick scan of the lunchroom to find an empty table.  Sam Jordan is sitting in the center of the room with the football table.  The cheerleaders, fully tarted up on a school day, are huddled together at the next table.  Mackenzie and the gang are sitting at a table near by.  They are huddled together chatting excitedly.  The chess team sits in the corner by the lockers.  The school band occupies the two tables next to that.  Lower classmen are sprinkled throughout the room.  I spot an empty table next to a window facing the forest preserve.  
    I set down my lunch tray and slide my backpack off my shoulders.  I rummage through my bag until I locate a pencil and my European History notebook.  I flip past my sketch from this morning and go to a blank page.  My hand starts moving across the page automatically, I am mesmerized by the forest during the rainstorm.  Raindrops cling to the tree branches and the few remaining leaves, slowly dripping to form an icy barrier on the ground.  Much like the icy barrier I keep in place between myself and the rest of the world.
     
    Ethan
     
    I look at the unappetizing varieties of slop in front of me, trying to decide if there are any edible options.  I pick what looks like ham and cheddar on wheat wrapped in cellophane.  Discreetly, I sniff the sandwich and place it on my tray along with an apple, a container of greek yogurt with peaches, and a carton of chocolate milk.  Before I can get my change back from the cashier, Chloe is already standing guard next to me ready to escort me back to “the” lunch table.
    The lunch table is, naturally, in the center of the room.  It allows for everyone in the cafeteria to watch (enviously and from a distance) as the popular kids talk and laugh and pick over their food.  After attending so many different schools in so many different places, it was easy to dissect the hierarchy at Everest Heights High School within my first day.
    Chloe wedges herself in next to Sophia and Emma on one side of the table.  Sitting across from them is Mackenzie and the only remaining chair.  I gingerly set down my tray and slide into my chair.  The girls each have a tray with an untouched tuna salad with wilted greens and a bottle of spring water.
    They start peppering me with questions before I can even unwrap my sandwich.  Mackenzie leans in, draping her arm on mine, “How are your classes going?”
    “Uhm, fine I guess.”
    “Isn’t Mrs. Douglas the worst?  Ugh, her lectures put me to sleep.”
    “She’s okay.  I’ve had worse.”  I unwrap my sandwich and take a few quick bites as they complain about European History.
    Chloe interrupts my eating, “I heard you are