Breaking Free: A Living Again Novella Read Online Free Page B

answer them.
    “Let’s go then,” she said cheerfully, holding out her hand for him. She had no idea what had come over her, but she wanted him to know she cared. Greer looked down at her hand, then up to her. She saw his throat work, then swallow as he reached his pinky finger out and linked it with hers. When his finger curled around hers, she grinned. They walked in silence all the way to get that sandwich.
     

     
    “Tell me about you,” Alexis said, picking bread off her sandwich. Greer hadn’t said much since they had walked halfway across campus holding pinkies before he’d let go.
    He put his sandwich down and wiped his face with the napkin. “Nothing to tell,” he answered, still looking at his sandwich.
    “Greer,” Alexis said. He didn’t look up. “Greer.”
    He lifted his eyes and looked at her, and she smiled. “Want me to tell you about me?”
    He nodded, looking back at his sandwich. Okay, she could do that. “I’m from Sunset Beach. Do you know where that is?”
    Greer nodded. “It’s on the west coast, approximately 300 miles from here.”
    Alexis laughed, and his eyes snapped up to hers. She realized he thought she was laughing at him, and her stomach dropped. What had this boy been through in his life? “I’m not laughing at you,” she whispered. “I think that’s amazing that you know that.”
    He nodded, his eyes looking over her. She was used to that from him by now. “I grew up in Sunset Beach. My dad died before I was born, but my mom remarried when I was very little. He’s been my dad my whole life. I have three siblings: two brothers and a sister. My dad is a doctor and my mom is a physical therapist. I’ve always loved school and have done really well in science my whole life. I started cheering when I was young, but got really serious with it in 5 th grade. My best friend, Cate, goes to UCF, and my roommate Hailey and I have been friends since freshman year in high school. Hmmm… what else. Anything else you want to know?”
    Greer blinked his eyes, but didn’t say anything. She wondered if she had said too much, or if he really didn’t want to know all of that. “My mom stays at home. My dad is a lawyer. He specializes in family law. I’m an only child because my mom couldn’t have kids any more after me. I’ve never been into any sports, because I’m not good at them. I like to work out, but never in a gym. There’s too many people there. I don’t like people, and they don’t like me. I’m really good with computers and graduated valedictorian of my class. My only friend is Camden. He goes to a different school.”
    Alexis was stunned. She thought that might’ve been the most she had heard out of his mouth since she met him earlier this week. Her heart constricted when he said that he didn’t like people and people didn’t like him.
    “Why don’t you like people? You’re a really nice guy.” She wasn’t telling a story; he really was. She knew he probably didn’t realize that about himself.
    “Awww, look at that. Aren’t they so cute ?” Alexis turned at the voice that was obviously talking to them. It was then that she recognized Ainsley, one of the sophomore cheerleaders. Rayne, another cheerleader, was walking with her. And their eyes were trained on Greer.
    Alexis looked from them to Greer, confused. Why did it seem like they were making fun of them? He was looking down at his sandwich, his hands working together in his lap.
    “Hey Ainsley, Rayne,” Alexis said.
    They looked at her briefly, then back to Greer. “Alexis, is this guy bothering you?” Alexis opened and closed her mouth. She didn’t know Ainsley or Rayne very well, but now it was obvious that she didn’t want to. She had seen a lot of mean girls in high school, but had hoped she had left it behind.
    “Of course not,” Alexis answered nervously. “This is my friend, Greer.”
    Both girls laughed. “Friend?” Rayne giggled. “This freak doesn’t know what a friend is.