Continuum Read Online Free Page B

Bio partners with Sam and Liam.”
    Sheesh, I had only had my first Bio class today.  I guess word travels fast in a small school.  Was everything going to be like this?  “Yeah, they’re really cool.”  I open my container of yogurt and mix in the peaches as they start dishing about my lab partners.
    “Oh my God, did you see Liam’s new haircut?  It’s amazing.”
    “He is super cute this year,” Sophia gushes.
    Emma sighs, “Super jealous.  Why am I taking Physics?”
    Rolling her eyes, Chloe replies, “Puh-lease.  You would totally die if they were your lab partners.” 
    Mackenzie cuts in, “Ugh, seriously.  Sam and Liam are jocks not lab geeks.”
    Sophia cuts her off, squealing excitedly and clapping her hands on the table, “Ethan, you have to try out for the football team on Friday!”
    “Definitely.  I’ll put in a good word for you with Coach Morris.  You obviously work out, did you play any sports at your old school?” Mackenzie says with admiration, giving my arm a squeeze.  My spoonful of yogurt and peaches is midway to my mouth as they all look at me with stars in their eyes.
    Feeling awkward from all the attention, I dip my spoon back into the cup, swirling around the peaches, “Yeah, I played soccer and ran track.  I’m not so sure about football.  I never really played American football.”  
    “Oh my God, Ethan.  Football is like the sport to play a Everest Heights.  The navy and silver will look so good with your coloring,” Mackenzie says as she intensely scrutinizes my features while I try to eat my yogurt.  She was probably sizing me up for a letterman’s jacket.
    “I’ve played some rugby and a few games of flag football.  My dad wasn’t into American football when I was growing up, so I never really followed it.  I’m a bit hazy on the rules of the game.  Plus I’m not really too keen on participating in extra circulars this year.” 
    This opens the girls up to freaking out about not having enough extra circulars for college applications.  Which leads to an all out evaluation on which clubs weren’t completely lame that they could join this year to polish their resumes.  It gives me an opportunity to let my eyes wander from my perch in the center of the room.
    I spot my mystery girl in the corner of the room.  She is huddled in her jacket, the hood pulled up despite being indoors.  She is sitting alone at her table, headphones in place.  Her dark hair is swept in front of her shoulders framing her pale face.  Her eyes are fixated out the window next to her table.  From my vantage point all I can see are the vague outline of trees off in the distance, distorted by the icy sleet of rain coming down against the glass.
    As her eyes shift to take in the landscape, her pencil moves in quick, sure strokes over the notebook resting against the edge of the table.  She never looks down as her hand moves across the page.  She is biting her lip in concentration, her white teeth pressing against the dark pink of her lips.  A little furrow is forming between her eyebrows as she sketches.  
    Every time I’ve seen her, she’s been alone.  She has a quiet intensity about her.  And a sadness that surrounds her.  I’m deeply curious to know more about her.  But I know better than to ask this group who seem to only value things by their level of shininess.
    I’m pulled back into reality by Mackenzie tugging my arm, “Well, what do you think?”  Everyone has fallen silent and is looking at me with tight, expectant smiles.
    “What do I think about what?”
    “Having a little get together, silly.”
    “Uhm... sounds great,” I mumble, taking another bite of my sandwich.  They start murmuring excitedly again and I allow my eyes to wander once more.
     
    Fallon
     
    When I awake the next morning, the sun is shining cheerfully but the temperature outside has dropped considerably.  After going through my usual morning routine, I fish out a navy wool