Finding Home Read Online Free Page A

room.  When he left, none of us ever thought we’d see him again.  He hadn’t contacted any of us that I knew of, but now he was sitting before me.  I knew my mouth was hanging open like an idiot, but I was shocked.  Then my eyes moved to Riley, who was sitting in a chair across from Jesse’s spot on the couch.  I didn’t know how to read her face, but she looked uneasy and I knew she couldn’t be comfortable after what Jesse had done to her.  Even despite this, I couldn’t stifle the excitement I felt at seeing Jesse sitting there.  One of my best friends since kindergarten, who’d basically vanished, was back and I felt my lips curl up into a smile and I knew I was going to cry.  I tried not to, but I couldn’t help it, and when I blinked, the tears came.
    “Jesse,” I whispered softly as I looked at him and then my voice got stronger.  “Jesse!” He stood up and I rushed to him, throwing my arms around him. “What are you doing here?” I sniffled and wiped my eyes.
    “I came to see Brandon.”
    “Well,” I said, looking around at all my friends, the huge smile still on my face. “This is…well…I don’t know the words, but this is awesome!  I didn’t think we’d ever see you again, Jesse.” I couldn’t help myself, and I reached over and hugged him again. “Does Holly know you’re here?” I asked him, but he shrugged his shoulders. “Well, Holly has to know because she’d want to see you.  We have to get together…the way it used to be!” 
    “Slow down, Mandy.” Brandon’s voice interrupted my excitement and I looked over to him. “We don’t even know how long Jesse’s in town for.”
    “Well, let’s ask him then.” I turned to Jesse and asked, “How long are you here for?”
    “I…I haven’t decided yet.” 
    “Then we have to get together before you leave.  I’m gonna text Holly right now,” I said, whipping out my phone and I started texting her. “It’s too bad Laura’s all the way in Oklahoma.  We should all be together.  It’s been for…” I continued to ramble excitedly and then I looked up and saw Riley’s face.  She looked mortified and I realized how insensitive I was being. “I’m sorry,” I winced, realizing I was once again, being a total airhead. “I got too excited and I didn’t even think about you two.”
    “You’re fine, Mandy,” Riley said and then I looked over to Jesse who smiled at me.
    “It’s okay,” he added.
    “Should I send the text then?” I asked nervously, my finger hovering over the send button. 
    “It’d be nice to see Holly,” Jesse said and I decided to go ahead and send the text. 
    “Great!” I said, pushing the send button. “Text is sent.”
    Jesse sat down and I sat beside Riley.  The room was too quiet, but then my phone beeped and I read the text from Holly. 
    “Okay…so…Holly is stoked you’re in town and totally wants to get together.  She can’t come tomorrow, but she’ll be in town Friday afternoon.  How does that work for everyone?”
    They all looked at me and nodded and I smiled in excitement.  I couldn’t wait for all of us to be together again. 
    “Excellent!  Where should we meet up?” I asked and then immediately looked over to Jesse.  We’d always gone to his house to hang out.  “What about your place, Jess?  I mean, it only makes sense.  That’s where we always hung out.  Can we meet there?  Ya know, make burgers, go four wheeling?”
    “Um…yeah…why not?” Jesse said, shrugging his shoulders, but then Riley interrupted. 
    “If you’re not up to it…” she said, but then Jesse cut her off.
    “It’s fine, Riley,” he interrupted, looking over to her. “It’ll be good to have the company.”
    Riley’s phone buzzed then and she looked down at it before looking back to us. 
    “Um…my mom wants me to join her for dinner with my grandma tonight,” she said as she read the text. “I’m sorry to bail, but I’ll see you guys on Friday.