The Space Between Heartbeats Read Online Free

and skinny jeans, her black hair braided over one shoulder.
    I give my hair a sniff, wishing I’d set my alarm so I’d had time for a shower. I smell like grime and pine needles. I tug my shirt up so it’s covering my chest a little better, dreading the moment my friends realize I’m still wearing the same outfit I had on the night before.
    “You guys won’t believe the morning I’ve had,” I begin.
    Amber doesn’t even acknowledge me. She’s too busy assessing her hot pink nails. Penny finishes off a text, then slams her phone down.
    “So . . .” Penny gives Amber a “tell me everything” grin.
    Amber blushes. “It was good.”
    “What was good?” I lean forward.
    “And . . .” Penny waves her hand, gesturing for Amber to go on.
    A smug grin spreads across Amber’s face. “Okay, it was amazing. He’s a really good kisser. I think I like him.”
    Penny lets out a little squeal. “I so hooked you up.”
    Amber giggles. “Have I mentioned how much I love study group?”
    “Who did you hook up with?” I ask in a teasing, playful tone, desperate to hide that I can’t remember anything that happened at Matt’s house.
    Amber looks away from me.
    “What?” I throw my arms up.
    She sniffs and clears her throat.
    “Okay, is this because I didn’t call you this morning? Because, for your information, I can’t find my phone.”
    Amber shakes her head and runs a finger through her hair, making sure her perfect auburn locks are in order.
    I roll my eyes. Whenever I piss Amber off, she makes me work double time to figure out what the problem is. Turning to the sweeter of my two friends, I give Penny a pleading look. “Pen, help me out here. Did I do something last night? I don’t remember doing anything wrong.” I refrain from adding, “Actually I don’t remember anything at all.”
    Penny checks her phone again, then opens her textbook as the teacher walks in.
    “Sorry I’m late, everyone. Glad to see most of you have your books out already.”
    I ignore Mrs. Spencer and turn back to Penny. “She’s got you in on this, too? Give me a break. I can’t fix this if I don’t know what’s wrong,” I whisper.
    Penny scratches the side of her nose, then pulls out a pen, looking toward the front of the class.
    “Thanks, guys. Thanks a lot,” I mutter before slumping back in my seat.
    My mind races with all the things I could have done. Unfortunately, my slate is hardly clean. Amber once ignored me for three weeks when I made out with a guy she liked from the soccer team. I eventually got her to forgive me, but I’ve never told her we hooked up again after her birthday party in the backseat of his car. Did I let that slip last night?
    I glance up at Mrs. Spencer as she begins her tirade on the quality of our homework assignments. “You’re juniors now and there is no excuse for sloppiness or incomplete work.” The class lets out a collective groan when she threatens to make us repeat our last essay.
    I shoot Amber an exasperated glance, but she doesn’t respond. I twist toward her and make one more attempt to placate her. “Hey, have you decided what you want me to buy you yet?” A light bulb clicks on in my brain. We were supposed to go shopping today. I lick my lower lip and paste on a sweet smile. “I was thinking tomorrow would be perfect for an LA shopping spree, what do you think?”
    So our trip is delayed by one day, no big deal. Besides, nothing gets Amber talking faster than fashion. If anything can break her out of her frosty mood, it’ll be this. Unfortunately, she is too busy pretending to listen to the teacher to acknowledge me . . . which means she’s super pissed.
    I sigh, knowing a lost cause when I see one. I check the time and then make a quick decision. Standing, I grab my bag and walk to the front of class.
    “Mrs. Spencer, I’m not feeling very well. Can I go see the nurse, please?”
    She’s so busy writing on the white board, she barely turns to acknowledge me. I