Sink: The Lost World Read Online Free Page B

a prospective new client?”
    “I think I’ve wined and dined enough,” Zoe said.
    Bryan began to get dressed too. He stole glances at Zoe.
    “Are you sure you can’t stay a little longer?” he said.
    “Certain,” Zoe said.
    “One hundred percent?” Bryan said.
    “One thousand percent,” Zoe said.
    Bryan sneaked up behind her and kissed her on the neck, nipping at her skin with his teeth.
    Zoe closed her eyes and sighed.
    “I think I just missed my bus,” she said, dropping her bag. “It’s a bummer because they only come every hour.”
    “Don’t forget, you’re now in charge of the biggest account at Environment Solutions,” Bryan said. “They should be wrapped around your little finger.”
    “I don’t like to take advantage of the situation,” Zoe said.
    “Another reason you’re perfect for me,” Bryan said. “You come complete with gold-plated morals.”
    “I can be immoral sometimes,” Zoe said. She pushed Bryan back onto the bed. “In fact, let me show you…”

3
     
     
    Aaron got his chemistry books out of his locker and tucked them in his bag. He closed his locker door and jumped a foot in the air.
    “I wish you wouldn’t do that!” Aaron said.
    “Do what?” Pete said.
    “Creep up behind my door and stand there with that expression on your face,” Aaron said.
    “What expression?” Pete said. “This is my default expression.”
    “Then you need to hit the reset button,” Aaron said. “You’re terrifying when you smile.”
    “People say I have a beautiful smile,” Pete said.
    “Your mom says that,” Aaron said. “Moms don’t count as people.”
    Aaron slung his bag over his shoulder and weaved through the other students in the corridor.
    “But I do have something exciting to tell you about,” Pete said. “You’re never going to believe this, but I was watching a lecture by Jack Horner – you know, the dinosaur guy – and he was saying how all the dinosaur fossils we’ve discovered so far might not all be different. He said the fossils we have might only show the gradual change in age, like teenagers to adults, adults to the old. Isn’t that great? I can’t wait to tell Rae about it.”
    Pete’s life mission was to bombard Mrs. Rae, their science teacher, with as many theories counter to established science as he could find. He often didn’t believe what he read, but he couldn’t help pestering Mrs. Rae with his nonsense. But so far she had always managed to counter his arguments.
    “Are you listening?” Pete said.
    “Yeah,” Aaron said. “I’m listening.”
    And he was, but with only about five percent of his brain. The rest was focused on the memories that floated through his mind. Seven years ago – almost to the day – he had seen his father for the last time. He’d come up to his bedroom to wish him goodnight, give him a gift, a kiss on the forehead, and then left his life forever. To disappear without saying goodbye wasn’t like Aaron’s father at all, and for the past seven years he’d been fostering his own theories of his disappearance.
    When Aaron turned to Pete he caught the end of his monologue.
    “…I’ll have Rae in a corner with that one, don’t you think?” Pete said.
    “Sure,” Aaron said without commitment.
    “What’s wrong with you today?” Pete said. “I present you with material that will drive Rae crazy and you’re not even listening to me.”
    “Sorry,” Aaron said. “I just have other things on my mind.”
    “What could possibly be more important than this?” Pete said. “A chance to embarrass Rae. It’s the chance of a lifetime!”
    Mrs. Rae was a strict teacher, and ensured a mutual exchange of respect at all times. One such requirement was for the students to wait outside her classroom for her to arrive. The class had instinctively divided themselves into two groups, one along either wall. There was a clear social gap between them. There were the cool skirts-hitched-up girls with the sporty muscular