News Flash Read Online Free

ball against the wall. “Have you watched the news at all this afternoon?”
    Jake snorted. “That’s your deal, Al, not mine.”
    The bottom fell out of my stomach, kind of like when you reach the highest part of a roller coaster, and I thought I might be sick. “Are your parents home?” My voice got tinier as reality set in.
    â€œWhat’s up, Allison? You know they don’t get home until after five.”
    Taking a deep breath I said, “It’s your grandpa. He’s a hostage. At the bank.”
    Silence filled the phone, then Jake snapped, “Andy, cut it out. What are you talking about, Allison?”
    â€œThere was a robbery at the bank, and then they took hostages, and oh Jake, I think it’s bad.” My words hung in the air, and I didn’t know what else to do or say.
    â€œAl, I’ve got to go. I’ve got to….call my mom or something.” With that the line went dead. I stared at the phone in my hand, somehow willing him to call back and tell me that Rory had been misinformed. Hugging my arms around myself, I went back up to the newsroom to see if there was any new information.
    When I stepped through the doors, I paused trying to comprehend the chaos that seemed to be ramping up. Esther was just on the other side of the glass paneled control room doors. Her normal calm demeanor had gone out the window, and at the moment she was flailing her arms wildly above her head as she yelled at some poor crew member. My guess was that she was upset about the interview Chicago Eight had gotten with the assistant manager. But really? What did any of this matter if Jake’s grandpa was hurt? And why hadn’t I remembered the fact that he worked there earlier? I was a lousy friend. There was no way I could make it up to Jake, especially if something did happen.
    Chloe found me a second later. “They’re calling in sharpshooters,” she said, her eyes big and round, and slipped her arm through mine.
    My stomach churned worse. In every action/hostage movie I had ever seen they only called in sharpshooters when the situation deteriorated. What did that mean for Jake’s grandpa? I shook my head to get a clear grip on things, but it didn’t work. All it did was make me feel vaguely dizzy, which added to the nausea that waved over me.
    The buzzing in my pocket made me jump. At the beginning of this whole mess the excitement had been so real, so tangible. Now it all just felt dangerous and out of control. Seeing that it was Jake calling me back, I extracted myself from Chloe.
    â€œJake?”
    â€œHe’s okay, Al. He barricaded himself in his office. The guys—the robbers—whoever they are have shot at the door a few times, but they can’t get in. He shoved his desk in the way. That sucker’s big and oak or something.” Jake’s voice shook as he tried to hide the fear that I knew he must be feeling. In all the time I’d known Jake—since they moved in next door when I was five—he’d always been brave. Always.
    â€œI’m so glad, Jake. They called in sharpshooters.” I whispered the information because I didn’t know if we were supposed to leak anything or not. It wasn’t like I had been watching the coverage. I’d had other things on my mind. Then inspiration struck. “Jake? Do you—do you think your grandpa might talk to Bonnie on the air? He could, you know, reassure people.”
    The words tumbled out before my brain had a chance to process them. Once they registered, I squeezed my eyes shut. There I went being an insensitive friend again. To my surprise, Jake said, “That’d be great. My parents have been fielding all sorts of phone calls. It’s already wearing on them. I’ll give you his cell number, and I’ll let him know you’ll be calling.”
    After I found a pen and paper, I took down the number with an even shakier hand.