Fire And Ash Read Online Free Page B

will make it to the book store in Highland Village. It will give me something to do. I can turn it into a shopping day and pick up a few new outfits for school from the mall too.”
    “I would prefer that you not go to Highland Village alone until this whole mess with the girl that was abducted is resolved. The library in town has the books you need. I already checked.”
    “What does that have to do with me going to Highland Village? It’s not like I’m going to get abducted too. I can take care of myself.”
    “I know you think you can Ashley and if we were sure that it is the average sick bastard behind the girl’s abduction then I would believe that too. But all evidence points to not just one phoenix but a group of them being responsible which means she will not be the only one.”
    I want to tell her that I can still take care of myself, but I know my insistence will fall on death ears. When my grandmother feels some type of way about something it’s final.  
    “Fine I will go to the library,” I say instead.
    After my family takes off I use my laptop to look up the details of the missing girl’s abduction out of boredom, wondering what evidence made my family so sure a group of phoenix were behind it. I find   the initial amber alert and headline of the abduction with a picture of the girl. She looks about my age and was last seen when she left her house to meet a couple of friends at the movies. Her friends claim she never made it and she never returned home either.   I also come across several byline updates that say the search for the girl and her abductor is still ongoing. But I don’t find anything else. Whatever my family knows, hasn’t been disclosed to the local media.
    I close my computer screen when my stomach grumbles. It hasn’t been too long since breakfast but my inconsiderate cousins ate most of the food and what was left wasn’t enough to fill me up. My stomach grumbles a second time and a craving for a chocolate milkshake and a cheeseburger hits me. I change into a pair of loose black running shorts and a purple tank top and head to Cal’s Diner. It’s the same place I recommended to Cassie and it’s legendary all over Colorado for its artery clogging, but beyond delicious burgers and milkshakes.  

CHAPTER FOUR
A Three?!

    Halfway through my double cheeseburger and chocolate milkshake I look up and groan.  
    Why did I ever tell Cassie about this spot?
      I don’t mind that she is walking through the door. It is the person’s presence beside her that I mind. After dealing with my cousins this morning, I’m not in the mood for dealing with another jackass of the male variety.
    She sees me after the waitress walks them to a booth four places away from the one I am sitting in and the pair slide into it. Derek sits with his back to me, thank God, and Cassie faces my direction. When she spots me I’m looking at them so I can’t pretend I haven’t spotted her too. She waves and I wave back. Derek turns his head, sees who she is waving to, and without any acknowledgement turns back around. Rude Jerk .
    Cassie stands and walks over to say hi.
    “Hey, Cassie,” I say returning a smile. Derek whips his head around again and the smile reshapes into a hard pressed line.
    Cassie’s gaze follows mine then she turns back to me looking sheepish. “I know you told me I didn’t have to apologize for Derek, but I still feel like I do. I would have texted you but I didn’t know if you wanted to hear from me after the way he acted at our house. Or if you wanted to hangout again.”
    “Your brother is a dick, but I’d be an equal one to hold that against you so we’re cool.”   It is childish and inappropriate I know, but I make sure my voice carries enough for him to hear me.  
      Cassie breathes out a sigh of relief. “I’m glad you feel like that because you’re the first, well really the only friend I’ve made here. This move is supposed to be another fresh start for us.