Rhythm & Clues: A Young Adult Novel Read Online Free

straining to reach the power supply.
    He changed the subject. “Moxie? That’s a strange name.”
    “It’s a nickname. And stop trying to change the subject, Gavin Tully.”
    “I don’t go to your school or anything, if that’s what you’re asking.”
    There was only one high school in a thirty mile radius around here, so he either attended Milford Brook High or was some kind of archaic child predator who preferred post-its to chat rooms. “How old are you? Can I see your ID?”
    “Oh. I don’t drive.”
    What teenager didn’t bother to get their license when they turned sixteen?
    “So,” he said, continuing on. “What kind of instru—”
    “Did you just move here?” I asked. Maybe that was why I didn’t know him.
    “Um…” Gavin twisted his hands together.
    Avoiding such an easy question made me think he lived here. That would explain the intricate lighting. But I wouldn’t judge. This might even be considered a step above my own home situation. “You’re a bit strange. You know that? I guess the warehouse should have been my first clue.”
    He raked a hand through his hair. “Yeah. Sorry about that. I didn’t really have any other options within walking distance.”
    Okay, so he lived elsewhere. I glanced at his laptop, realizing the reason for his evasiveness. He must go to some rich private school and didn’t want me to feel too blue-collar. “Right, the no car thing. What happened? Your chauffeur couldn’t drive you?”
    “I—What?” He tilted his head to the side. After a moment, he said, “Oh, no. It’s just…my parents don’t exactly know I’m here.”
    Obviously this boy was trying very hard to be secretive. But he intrigued me, so I tried another approach. “I like boys who break the rules. I think we’ll get along just fine.”
    He chuckled, his lips quivering slightly. Then he caught himself, coughing as if to cover up his show of emotion.
    “So do you play an instrument?” He turned around to look back at the entryway, as if I’d somehow dropped a drum set when I walked in and he hadn’t noticed.
    “I sing. Though, never in public before.” I leaned back against the wall and stretched my legs out in front of me.
    A question formed on his lips I didn’t want him to ask.
    “But I’m not afraid or anything. I just never really had the opportunity.” Only prissy girls wearing their boyfriend’s Varsity jackets tried out for choir. Girls who were on the front lines of calling me names.
    “Well, here’s your chance. Wow me with your skills.”
    I cleared my throat and listened to the room for a moment, hoping it would give me a key. The faint rustle of wind whistling through the window acted as my background music. I opened my mouth and hummed a spontaneous tune.
    Then I sang whatever lyrics popped into my head. Of course, the warehouse setting inspired me because what came out was about emptiness and loneliness, two things I was very well acquainted with. “ Like a dream sequence I cannot fight. But it might just be my limited sight.”
    I kept going. Gavin stared at me with his mouth ajar.
    I squirmed in my seat, my cheeks igniting at his open mouth. Abruptly, I clamped my mouth shut, bracing myself for him to laugh. When he stayed quiet, I stood up. Blood thundered in my ears. “At least I wasn’t scared.”
    “Wait!” He pushed himself off the ground and dashed for his discarded computer, then balanced it in his lap. “Try those words with this melody I have. It’s a ballad, is that all right?”
    I hovered in my half crouched, half standing position. Did he really want me to stay?
    He pursed his lips. “I might have something more rock and roll.”
    “No, a ballad is perfect.” I resumed my position on the floor. “Play it once through first and then I’ll sing.” I raised my eyebrow, waiting for approval.
    He fiddled with his keyboard until a soft melody played from the tinny speakers. The slow piano beat sparkled through the room, reminding me of