In the Middle of Nowhere Read Online Free Page A

as though we were strictly pen pals, which in
today’s age of technology, seemed archaic.
    Back in Mass, I had always hung out with a
lot of boys as friends, but never had a boyfriend. I had plenty of
crushes on guys, it seemed like a new every week. But for the most
part I kept my crushes to myself. I didn’t want my girlfriends
teasing me about it or letting the guy know. I’d be way too
embarrassed. And if I did find out that a boy liked me, I would do
everything in my power to avoid him at all costs, even if I had to
go out of my way and take a longer route to class so I wouldn’t
have to bump into him in the hallways. I guess deep down I wasn’t
ready for a relationship.
    Why was I even thinking about Michael Cooper
and having a boyfriend in the same thought process? What was wrong
with me? I didn’t even really know him. And why did I think that he
would tell me, of all people, when he was coming back to school?
I’m sure Erica was mistaken, but she said it with such
conviction.
    As I walked down the hallway toward the
library, I caught myself looking for Michael, peeking around
corners and searching darkened doorways as though he’d be hiding in
them.
    I had to get a grip. I opened the library
door and vowed not think about anything else but finishing my paper
and handing it in on time, which happened to be during the very
next period.
    • • •
    I had just finished typing up my bibliography
when the bell rang signaling the end of the period. I started to
freak out because the printer jammed as soon as I began printing my
paper.
    My history teacher, Mr. Winkler, was such a
stickler for getting assignments in by their due date. That should
be his name. Mr. Stickler. He would automatically deduct ten points
for every day it was late and I was not about to let that happen. I
prided myself on being a straight-A student.
    I finally fixed the jam, printed the paper
and ran for my locker so I could grab my history book. Another five
points off a future quiz grade if you didn’t bring your book to
class everyday. He was so demanding.
    I tried to get down the hallways as quickly
as I could. There was too much congestion as students made their
way to their next class. The library was on one end of the school,
while my locker and history class where completely on the
other.
    I finally rounded the corner to the hallway
where my locker was located. I pushed and shoved through the crowd
as I made my way toward the end of the long corridor.
    Too late. The bell rang.
    Kids dispersed and the hall completely
emptied in a matter of seconds. There was no time left. I sprinted
toward my locker and worked my combination as fast as I could. It
was stuck! These lockers were the worst and I thought for a split
second that maybe Tessa Anderson wasn’t lying all those months
ago.
    “Damn it!” I took a deep breath and tried
again.
    All of a sudden an arm grazed the side of my
head as a hand came to rest on my metal locker above me.
    “Where’s the fire?” the unfamiliar voice
asked.
    Unsure, I turned around and looked up. I
recognized that smile immediately. Erica was right. Michael was
back.

CHAPTER
SIX
     
     
     
     
    Michael Cooper stood to the side so I could
work my combination. I was so nervous; I could barely turn the
dial. I couldn’t bring myself to look at him and could feel myself
getting flush. I realized that I had only really looked at Michael
face to face one other time in homeroom when he sent me the little
note with wings.
    It also hit me at that moment that I had
never really heard his voice until now, except for when he would
announce his presence during Mr. Singer’s roll call with a raised
hand and a “Here”. In a way, I felt like I knew him well, but as I
stood there next to him, it seemed not at all.
    “Where you headed?” he asked as I finally
opened my locker and found my book.
    “History.” I slowly rose and finally looked
him in the eyes. My heart started beating faster and louder than
ever