Fate Book Read Online Free Page A

And you’re eighteen now. Do you have any idea what’ll happen if they catch you? ”
    “No, Mom, I’m not pregnant. I’m not on drugs. Although, I’d really love a very strong tranquilizer…for you!”
    Spite flickered in her eyes. “Then what? Why are you acting like this?”
    I sighed. “I lied and everyone knows it.”
    She stared at me. “Lied. To a teacher? Your principal?”
    I shook my head. “I wish.” I let out a long breath and sat on the bed. “I told everyone I am seeing this guy, but I’m not.”
    She laughed.
    “What?” I spat. Was it so hard to believe, even for my own mother?
    “I’m relieved.”
    “Nice,” I said.
    “Think of it from my standpoint. You’ve been a model daughter. Good grades. No rebelling. Responsible. I kept wondering when my luck would run out. And now, you’re saying you lied to a few friends about a boy?”
    “Mom! This is serious!”
    “Right. You’re telling an ER nurse who watches mothers lose their kids to drunk drivers or drug ODs that this little issue is serious?”
    Okay. When she put it like that…
    “Maybe I am being petty,” I admitted. “But you have no idea what I’ve been through. Those girls are complete, fucking bitches.”
    “Dakota! Watch that tongue.”
    “What? Like you don’t use those words?”
    She smiled. “Of course I do. I’m a nurse. But I’d never use them with my mother. If she were alive.”
    Touché. “Sorry.”
    “Listen, baby. Whatever you did, you can’t run forever. Just treat it like a Band-Aid and rip that thing off. If that doesn’t go well, focus on the fact that it’s the end of the school year. You’ll be off to San Diego in the fall, studying pre-law, and high school will be nothing but a distant memory.”
    As usual, she was right; my dream of going away to college was just around the corner, and I couldn’t wait. It had been my mental sanctuary for years, the Promised Land where I could be geeky and academic and finally start living my life. This immature high school world of drama and popularity contests would evaporate the moment the principal slapped that diploma in my hand. Bottom line, none of this stuff really mattered, except for the grades. That didn’t mean, however, that these final weeks weren’t going to suck monkey balls.
    “Bring me a few gallons of ice cream tonight?” I asked.
    She hugged me. “Sure. Now get your ass to school.”
    ~ ~ ~
    When I pulled into the entrance of the parking lot, it was drizzling and four minutes to the bell.
    “What? Come. On!” It looked like two jocks were fighting over something— the size of their tiny straps?— and the cars had stopped to watch, creating a giant logjam. Oh well. Not like I was in a hurry to face Janice.
    I glanced toward the school’s overhang, relieved to see Mandy in her usual spot. She made a sympathetic little wave as if trying to assure me all would be okay. Earlier, I’d shot her a text, letting her know I was returning to hell school, ready to face the fiery inferno of my sins. She’d replied with a simple happy face, and now it was her real happy face providing me the fortitude I needed.
    My heart raced, knowing that today would be the most humiliating day of my life, and there was no getting around it. Served me right. I’d stooped to Janice’s level, and now I’d pay the price.
    “Finally,” I hissed. The cars moved, and I slipped into the first available spot toward the back of the lot. I turned off the engine and grabbed my bag, not bothering to check my hair or makeup. What was the point?
    I locked the car and started the death march through the lot toward my fate. With each step, that witness protection program sounded better and better. Couldn’t be that hard to get in on a federal crime and turn informant, could it? Perhaps I would Google “snitch” on my lunch break if I wasn’t too busy dodging apple cores from the masses.
    “Dakota! Watch out!” I heard Mandy yell, but by the time my brain caught