Learning to Live (The Infinite Love Series Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

out.
     
    “You’re going to need a haircut…with lots of layers.”
     
    I switch my eyes to the mirror and look at my reflection. The aim of Alyssa’s gum was pretty high, unfortunately for me…Madalynne is right.
     
    She continues to smile timidly at me. “Look, my boyfriend’s cousin is a hairstylist. She normally cuts us a deal because she’s family. Want me to talk to her for you?”
     
    I don’t know why she is being so nice to me, but although foreign, it feels nice. “Thanks…I don’t really have any extra money at the moment…but I appreciate it.”
     
    Her eyes lower as she appears to be deep in thought. “Here.” She pulls out a pen and paper. “Carly owes me a favor. Tell her I sent you.” She writes down a number on a piece of notebook paper and then hands it to me.
     
    “Why are you being so nice to me?” I ask. I can’t help it. I need to know.
     
    Her smile vanishes from her lips. “People are jerks. Don’t ever let anyone treat you with any less respect than you deserve.”
     
    She ruffles through her purse and pulls out a grey beanie. “Here, it’s Parker’s…I’ll just tell him I lost it…but maybe it will help hide it.”
     
    I take the beanie from her, shooting her a simple smile. “Thank you.”
     
    She returns my smile. “Anytime, Ciera. Don’t be a stranger.” And then she turns on her heel and exits the bathroom. It seems as though she completely forgot why she came in the first place.
     
    I look back at my reflection in the mirror. My tears have dried, but my cheeks are still a dark pink along with my nose. It’s obvious I’ve been crying. I slip the beanie over my hair and look back at the girl staring back.
     
    Don’t ever let anyone treat you with any less respect than you deserve. Her words echo through my head on repeat. For the first time in a long time I feel like there may be hope for me yet.

Chapter Five
     
     
    Topher
    I returned home after a few days at Joe’s and surprisingly my father was nowhere in sight. The house was empty and quiet and I wasn’t sure where he had disappeared to. I didn’t want to call him, seeing as I had been avoiding him and I wasn’t sure I was ready for the conversation that would inevitably follow. He didn’t return home at all that night. When I left for school this morning, the house was yet again eerily quiet.
     
    Guilt is beginning to eat away at me every second I go without speaking with him. This is the longest we have ever gone without speaking. After my mother died, we were all each other had. And although he’s been busy over the years and we haven’t spent as much time together as I would have liked, he’s still been the best father he could be for me.
     
    It’s game day today, so I figure I may or may not see him when I make it home from the game. But knowing my friends, there will more than likely be a party afterwards in celebration of our win. I’m cocky, but our team is good. We’ve been undefeated all season and today we play against Central High who is known for their losing streak.
     
    I make it to the locker room a half an hour early and immediately begin changing into my gear. There are a couple of guys from my team already there, and more continue to spill in as the clock ticks by.
     
    “So,” Joe says as he opens his gym locker next to mine and stuffs his bag in. “There is a party tonight at my place—the parental units are out of town. Everyone is invited…you down?”
     
    I look over at him from my seated position on the bench, shrugging. “Yeah, why not.”
     
    He shoots me a quick smile. “Good. Let’s kill it out there and then let’s get wasted!”
     
    I chuckle. “Okay.”
     
    Joe is the quarterback on the team and just as cocky as I am.
     
    “By the way, I saw Sophia out there and she said she was looking for you.” He motions with his head toward the locker room doors which lead out to the field.
     
    I nod. It’s been our routine since we joined our