Fading Away (Hardest Mistakes #1) Read Online Free Page A

Fading Away (Hardest Mistakes #1)
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officer step through the door into the backyard. “Get out of here, you monster!” my father suddenly shouts at me, snatching the gun from the officer’s holster and pointing it directly at me. I quickly swivel on my feet and dash for the cover of trees, a shot ringing out behind me and slamming into a tree as I pass. I stop under the dark canopy where no one can see me and turn back to see my father down on his knees, head in his hands, and the officer beside him with a hand on his back. My own parents don’t recognize me and think I’ve run away or I’m dead. This is it, I’m alone.
     
    ***
     
    Walking the streets in no particular direction gives me time to think. Where am I supposed to go now? What did I do to deserve this? My thoughts are so clouded I don’t hear the sound of a van slowing down beside me; it’s only when it stops and the door slams that I glance up.
    A man with a long pole is following me up the sidewalk. I quicken my steps and so does he. I turn a corner and come to a dead end. The man stops behind me at the entrance to the alley. Suddenly I’m scared. I growl a warning at the approaching man. His pole swings around and before I know what’s happened, I’m being dragged back toward his van by the choker around my neck.
    The drive doesn’t take long. Once there, I’m shoved into a small cage beside another feral, barking dog. The man sneers at me and leaves for his little office in the next room. I look at the latch on my cage. Opposable thumbs would be so helpful right now.
     
    Sammy
     
    I return to my apartment later than I expected. I’ve been out all afternoon looking for Chester, he just took off on me and now I’m worried; of course, he isn’t my dog and he probably found his way home or something, but I miss his company already. The loneliness presses in on me as I head for the shower. I’m not even hungry, but I made a promise to Kathy.
    The house smells of baby powder when I enter. Kathy hears me and calls out for me to set the table before sitting down. David sits down across from me and straps Connor into his baby chair. He throws me a dirty look as Kathy enters the room with the roast and places it on the table.
    “So Sammy, tell us about your week? How was school?” Kathy asks, oblivious to the dark looks David sends my way. I really don’t like awkward family dinners.
    “Nothing to tell really, you know how boring I am.” I pause to think, I have to tell her something or she’ll worry. “Oh, Caity’s hiring a new person to help me with weekend work at the coffee shop. A college student, I think.”
    She smiles. “That’s great, darling. You ladies could use the help. Who is it?”
    “No idea, it’ll be a surprise, I guess. How has Connor been this week?” I ask to change the subject. She can talk about her baby boy for hours. I don’t really feel like having to make proper conversation tonight.
    When dinner and dessert have been eaten, I decide to help Kathy in the kitchen rather than sit, glaring at David watching sports on TV with Connor. She’s bustling around putting things away when I walk in. I take a seat on a bar stool and stay out of her way to watch her. She asks me a few more questions about school before I decide it’s time for me to leave. My social skills are seriously lacking.
     
    ***
     
    I’m woken on the sofa by the sunlight streaming through my kitchen window. Still half asleep, I glance over at the clock and jerk upright. I’m going to be late for school. I dash around and get dressed in record time, snatching my bag from the kitchen table. I sprint out the door to my car.
    As soon as I make it to my first class I can feel it, today is going to be a long one. Everyone, including the teachers, are either mourning Kai or making nasty comments or rumors about him. Some even whisper about Dylan, who is still in the hospital. For once, absolutely no one notices me, no whispers, and no insults. It’s kind of refreshing.
    Kai’s parents
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