Parallel (Travelers Series Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

going at each other this way. Jaime and I have to get out now. The situation is getting way out of control, not to mention my body temperature.
    “Come on Jaime, you win, we’re going now.” I grab hold of her hand, allowing her to lead me out of the shop. As we make our way out, I can’t help but peer over my shoulder to look at Cooper one last time. Instead of being annoyed that our conversation was cut short, he still has the same amused expression on his face. I silently mouth, “I’m sorry,” and follow Jaime out the door.
    After all my reservations about going to Battle Grounds, I’m kinda bummed to be leaving. Jaime has some major explaining to do when we get back to Dominion House.
    “We have to get out of here now before he follows us.”
    “I don’t think it’s going to come to that. When we get back, you’re going to tell me exactly what all that was about.”
    My statement catches catch her off guard, as if she hadn’t thought past getting me out of the coffee shop. “I’ll explain when we’re safe back at the home.”
    When we get back to our room, Jaime places herself in the middle of her twin sized bed. She glances around the room and then back at me. “I’m so sorry, Etta. I shouldn’t have left you alone,” she says.
    “Yeah, about that. Where did you go? Cooper and I were just talking anyway. I don’t see what the big deal was. Why were you acting so weird back there?”
    “I’m sorry I left you there all alone. I bumped into Bridget on my way to the bathroom and got sidetracked,” Jaime explains. “Look, I wish we could avoid this conversation all together, but there’s something you need to know.”
    When I think back to all that had transpired tonight, there’s nothing that could have prepared me for what Jaime says next.
    “That guy you were talking to at the coffee shop? He’s been around here.”

Chapter Three
Alexandria High
    “W hat…?” For a second I misunderstand and think Jaime is saying she’s seen him around town. But that doesn’t make any sense. So, I’m pretty sure she means here at Dominion House.
    “You heard me. He came by asking for you,” Jaime continues. “And somehow he manages to track you down over at Battle Grounds? That’s not good Etta. One minute he’s here snooping around, asking if I know you, and the next thing I know, you’re all cozied up with him at the coffee shop.”
    “Did he say why?” Granted, our interaction was brief, but he probably would have gotten around to telling me why he was looking for me, if Jaime hadn’t intervened. There has to be a reasonable explanation. “And for your information, I wasn’t all cozied up. We were just talking. He was nice enough to get me a cup of coffee. I got tired of waiting for you.”
    “No, he didn’t say. That’s why I got you out of there.” She says this with a serious tone in her voice. “What if he’s some kind of a stalker?” Her face softens a bit. “Look, I’m sorry I left you there alone. I didn’t think I’d be chatting that long.”
    What Jaime said makes sense, but I’m still not willing to buy the fact that Cooper could be dangerous. I want to give Jaime the benefit of the doubt, but she’s seriously overreacting about the whole thing and paranoia isn’t my idea of a good character trait in a friend—or a roommate. I hope I’m not expected to live my last year at Dominion House with a total control freak. She’s my friend, sure, but in the end, I have to look out for myself.
    Jaime must sense how ridiculous she sounds and relaxes on the bed. “It’s just freaky, that’s all. Sorry if I went a little overboard back there. You can’t be too safe nowadays.”
    “You’re probably right. It is kinda weird,” I say as a way of calling a truce. But in the back of my mind, I didn’t think it was weird at all and I can’t get the image of his perfect smile out of my head.
    Then again, if Cooper is going around asking about me, why didn’t he just tell