Fading Away (Hardest Mistakes #1) Read Online Free

Caity as she runs up behind me; she’s wearing running shoes and gym clothes, her sweaty red-brown hair tied back from her face. Early this morning I decided I should take Chester for a walk in case anyone recognized him or knew his owners.
    Pushing my glasses back up my nose, I smile. “Umm, I’m just looking after him until I can find his owners.” She reaches down to pat his head. Chester snarls at her and she snatches her hand away from him, taking a big step back.
    “Aggressive, isn’t he?” She nods to me and turns, jogging away. “Bye, Sammy.” She throws her hand over her shoulder in a wave.
    As soon as she’s gone, I look down at Chester. “That wasn’t very nice.” He turns his head and gazes up at me with an innocent look.
    We head toward home, passing an electrical goods store on the way; the ones with all the TVs lined up in the windows always playing the news or sport. At first glance I walk right by it, then I do a double take and scurry back to the window; something catching my eye.
    There, in the middle of the screen, is a missing person’s photo. Kai Jordan was last seen by his family’s maid after the party on Friday night. Interesting.
    I think about it for a split second more before pushing it from my thoughts. Who really cares anyway, he’s probably just run away. Poor baby can’t handle his rich, privileged life anymore.
    As I try walking away from the store I’m stopped by the dog; he’s staring intently at the screen, almost as if he can understand what the news reporter is saying. I tug at his lead again and he turns, following me with his head down.
     
    Kai
     
    They’ll never find me, of that I am certain. All the science in the world can’t explain where I am now. Hell, I can’t even explain it. Are my parents worried about me? Are my friends? Ashlee? Or do they think I’ve just run away? I have to find out, but first I have to get away from this silly girl. Apparently her name is Sammy? Sounds familiar, but I don’t dwell on it. She isn’t paying attention to me; maybe I can just tug on the lead really hard and then make a run for it.
    She slows to look in the window of another shop and I take it as my chance. Tugging as hard as I can, I wrench the dog lead from her grip and sprint as fast as I can in the opposite direction. Where will my family be? Probably at home, waiting for me to return.
    As I turn a corner, I spot Ashlee’s car in a parking lot. I slow to a walk and inch closer; she’s standing on the other side of the car talking to someone, but I can’t quite make out the words. I have to concentrate to understand English, which is stupid seeing as how English is the language I speak.
    Sliding along the front bumper, I come into view just in time to catch her lean in and kiss Jacob, my best friend, full on the mouth. What the hell? The growl slips from my throat before I can stop myself. Both Jacob and Ashlee jump apart and turn toward me, the scream that comes from Ashlee’s throat makes me spin around and keep running.
     
    ***
     
    My house is full of activity when I reach it; I’ve never seen so many people at my home before; besides one of Mother’s silly parties, of course. Walking around the back along the fence, I come to the glass sliding door. I stand and look inside, searching for my parents. There, over on the sofa, speaking to one of many police officers. Surely my own parents would recognize me, right?
    I start yipping at the glass door, trying to get their attention. Mom looks up with hollow eyes and when she notices me standing at the door, she gets up and slowly walks over to the glass. Gazing up into her sad face, I beg her to recognize me with a whine. A look of confusion passes over her face and she turns to call my father over. When he reaches the door, the expression on his face is full of rage. A police officer steps up beside him and reaches for the door handle, his other hand resting on his gun.
    I back up a few steps as dad and the