Clouds In My Coffee Read Online Free

clique?”
    “What’s wrong with that?” she asks, defensively. “Aren’t you tired of being on the outside looking in?”
    “That’s not how I see myself. I’m happy in my own skin. Besides that, what if one of us makes it and the other one doesn’t? Does that mean we won’t hang with each other anymore?”
    We’ve reached our lockers by this time and Kim takes a moment before replying. “Don’t be dumb, Cece. You know we’ll always be friends. I mean, if you don’t make it, nothing will change between us, I promise.”
    Kim obviously feels she’s got a better chance of taking one of the three open slots for the varsity squad next season. I feel a bit ticked at her assumption, especially since she hasn’t perfected her back handspring yet and I have.
    “Pretty sure of yourself, huh?”
    “I didn’t mean it like that ,” she replies, slamming her locker shut. “It’s just that I’m going with Keith and he is a super jock who’s pretty tight with the senior cheerleaders. They’re the ones doing the judging. So, yeah, it just might give me the edge I need.”
    We head down the hallway, turning the corner towards our homeroom when I collide with a varsity letter jacket. I’m knocked against the wall and immediately I’m ready to hurl a profanity at the dickhead wearing it.
    Then I see who it is and I’m overcome with shyness.
    “Hey - sorry, Cece. Are you okay?”
    I swallow nervously, feeling my tongue getting tied up like it always does when I look into those pale blue eyes. I simply nod.
    “You sure? I slammed into you pretty good there.”
    “I’m cool, Marshall,” I finally sputter. “No harm.”
    He gives me a dazzling smile and a wink and saunters off in a fast pace, once again, heading to his homeroom before the bell goes off.
    Marshall Rydell is the Big Man on Campus at our high school. He letters in every sport offered and, even though he’s a junior, he makes first-string everything…including the ladies. It’s no secret that Marshall can have any chick he wants within a hundred mile radius. With looks like a young Troy Donahue; tall, blond and built like a brick shithouse, along with his many achievements on and off the playing field, I’m both surprised and flattered that he knows my name.
    “Earth to Cece,” Kim interrupts my train of thought. “He knows your name. Do you realize that?”
    “We have a study hall together,” I reply, trying my best to act ambivalent when, at the moment, I know my heart is still racing wildly and that makes me feel guilty. “C’mon, we’re going to be late to homeroom.”
    “You see? This is exactly what I’m talking about, Cece. You’re so out of touch with the possibilities here. I mean, Marshall Rydell? He’s the ‘golden boy’ of this town. Handsome, a jock and his family is flippin’ rich out the ass.”
    “Erik’s better lookin’,” I reply as we hear the bell ring.
    “You’re hopeless.”

Chapter 3
    “Cece, I’m leaving for work early,” Mom tells me as I’m painting my fingernails alternate colors of green and gold. “You sure you have a ride to the pep rally?”
    “Yep. Kim’s got her mom’s car and we’re going to the bonfire after the rally and then she’ll drop me off here.”
    “Mind your curfew. Just because I won’t be home until one doesn’t mean you can stay out past midnight, you hear?”
    “I hear.”
    She brushes a kiss on the top of my head. “Did I mention how proud I am of you for making the squad?”
    “Yeah, you did,” I reply giving her a smile. “Several times.”
    She sighs, brushing my hair back from my face. “You’re gonna have a better life than I ever did, that’s for sure.”
    “Why? Because I made the cheerleading squad?”
    “Not just that, honey. You’re learning to compete and going after something and getting it. You’ll be in a whole new social circle.”
    That statement prompts an eye roll from me.
    “Just you wait and see,” she replies. “Have fun and