Something Like Rain (Something Like... Book 8) Read Online Free Page B

this boy will help matters, think again!” She shook her head. “I don’t know what’s gotten into him lately. First that stupid car—”
    “It is kind of cool,” William said. “I’d love to have one like it. Dad probably felt the same way when he was my age. Now he can actually afford it.”
    “That’s debatable, and what you’re describing is called a midlife crisis, which is nothing to be proud of. Or act upon. You let us worry about that. Tell me what happened at school.”
    “Nothing,” William said. “Just an argument, really. It’s not a big deal.”
    His mother didn’t seem convinced. She always saw right through him. “Have you tried making friends with this boy?”
    Was she serious? Probably. Kate was a kind person and had tried to instill that virtue in him too. The older he got, the harder this became, because the world wasn’t always nice in return. Still, she managed somehow. He liked the idea of making friends with his enemies more than punching and getting hit in return. “How?”
    “Try talking to him once things have calmed down. It sounds to me like you two had a misunderstanding.”
    “I don’t think there’s any reasoning with him. Believe me, this guy is disturbed.”
    His mother patted his hand. “More often than not, people like him have their own issues. He could probably use a friend. Show him what a good person you are, and I’m sure everything will be okay.”
    William adored her optimism. Not that it mattered. The situation had mostly blown over, but his mother still appeared concerned, so he said, “I’ll try.”
    “That’s my boy. Man! You aren’t a boy anymore.” This didn’t stop her from leaning over to kiss his forehead. She looked back when leaving the room, eyes shining with affection before she shut the door, William already determined not to disappoint her.
    * * * * *
    William woke up with a severe case of leg pain and couldn’t have felt happier. For the past year, he had been pushing himself physically, and while that had been grueling at first, his muscles had eventually adjusted. Occasionally he got a little sore, but this was more like the first week of swimming every morning. Running had targeted muscles that he hadn’t worked as hard. After his standard four-egg omelet for breakfast, he headed to the YMCA. Swimming laps helped work loose the kinks in his muscles and chased away most of the pain. He still felt a mild burn when rising from his desk at the end of every class, but he took this as an invitation—a challenge—to return to the track after school and push himself further.
    That’s exactly what he did. Part of him worried that Kelly and Jared would be looking for him there, perhaps with a strategy in mind this time. Then again, nobody at school was talking about yesterday. Not only did news travel fast, but it also grew stale quickly. William’s little confrontation was no longer of interest. After sixth period, he found himself trapped in a conversation with Holly when all he wanted was to focus on moving his body. Eventually he made a polite excuse, went to the locker room, and changed into running clothes. William was walking to the track when he noticed Kelly approaching from the opposite direction.
    Even from a distance, William could see he was bristling with anger. His posture was wide, fists balled. Kelly stomped across the grass like he was heading for a duel. William started to tense. Then he noticed Kelly’s eyes. They were watery. Red. Had he been crying? Hard to imagine, considering how twisted up his expression was. He definitely looked pissed. Even odder was how soaked his clothes were. Kelly’s burgundy dress shirt was wet and clung to his body. Sweat dripped down the side of his face and sparkled in his hair. The tan pants weren’t ideal for running either, nor were the fashionable shoes. Maybe he wasn’t on the track team after all. Otherwise he would have worn more appropriate clothing before running, and