Learning to Live (The Infinite Love Series Book 1) Read Online Free

her. Because we don’t have enough money for a sitter, I help out when I can. But I also have a job that I’ve been working at for the past few years. I work five hours a couple of times a week and then sixteen hours during the weekend. It’s minimum wage and really not a lot, but every penny goes toward our bills. Sometimes we find ourselves with a little extra money…but that is always spent on Rose and Wesley. Although we don’t have a television or internet or even cell phones…I’ve been thankful that over time we have been able to get them a radio and even a small handheld Gameboy. They fight more than they use either device, but I’m happy they even have the option.
     
    I know my mother will have to start getting ready to leave within the next few hours, so I decide to take advantage of the small amount of time I have and close my eyes for a few moments.
     
    * * *
     
    It’s halfway through my school week and I’m looking forward to work today. Not that I don’t look forward to it every time. Most people dread the thought of going into work. I actually enjoy the work and my co-workers. They don’t treat me like everyone at school does…instead they treat me like a real human being.
     
    It’s lunchtime and I make a quick pit stop to the restroom before I head to meet Mack. I can hear loud chatter as I enter. My stomach ties up in knots as I realize Sophia Thompson and Alyssa Justice are standing inside, applying lip-gloss.
     
    Both cheerleaders, they are in the hierarchy of the A-Team. They’ve had it easy their entire lives. Popularity, friends, money. I don’t think they’ve had to work for anything they have. They are both dressed in their skimpy cheerleading outfits as today is game day.
     
    They stop talking abruptly as I enter and simply glare at me. I keep my eyes adverted as I quietly slip into a stall. As I close the door behind me, they resume talking.
     
    “Did you hear about that YouTube video?” Sophia asks. I can see them through the slits in the stall doors.
     
    Alyssa shakes her head no.
     
    “It’s up to 50,000 views. They are calling her a train wreck.”
     
    My stomach dips even lower as I realize they are speaking about me. Sophia is doing it simply because I’m in their presence, I can tell...
     
    I finish doing my business and flush the toilet, wincing at how loud it is.
     
    “She is so disgusting…” Alyssa trails off, pulling her blond hair into a high ponytail. “I mean, have you seen her clothes?”
     
    I look down at what I am currently wearing. I know it is nothing near what is in style nowadays, but it’s never bothered me that much until this very moment. I pull down on my mother’s oversized sweater uncomfortably, and slip my backpack over my arm.
     
    When I exit the stall, the two cheerleaders swivel their heads in my direction, and I can feel their eyes burning into me.
     
    “I think there’s something wrong with her…like I think she’s slow. Have you noticed how she never looks anyone in the eyes?” I can feel tears burning at the edges of my eyes as they continue to talk about me like I can’t hear them.
     
    I quickly make my way to the sink to wash my hands. I just want to get out of here.
     
    “Hey! You in there?” Sophia shouts condescendingly. Knocking with her fist on the side of my head. I pull away from her touch, ripping paper towel off and drying my hands at a rapid pace.
     
    “See? What did I say? Retarded,” Alyssa whispers loudly.
     
    Just when I think I am seconds away from freedom, I hear a spitting sound and then feel something hit my hair. I reach up and touch the spot and feel something sticky.
     
    The girls begin to laugh hysterically. “Oh my God! You did not!” Sophia cries out, still laughing.
     
    “What? Not like she will even know what the hell happened…” Alyssa replies, grabbing her purse and pushing away from the mirror. “Come on, let’s go.”
     
    I don’t move an inch as the girls push