Read Charity Moon for Free Online

myself!” I snapped.
     
    His eyes narrowed in irritation. “Who said I was helping you . It looked to me like Jeffrey was the one in danger.”
     
    “Oh, that’s very funny.” As I glared at him, sure that the lasers shooting from my eyeballs must be burning him, I knew there was something I wanted to discuss with him, but for the life of me, I couldn’t recall what it was. So, I did the only thing I could do—I turned around and stomped angrily off to class with Toby right on my heels.
     
    “So, do you think I could get away with hair that cool?” Toby asked, using his fingers to make his neat style messy, but only succeeding in looking like a total idiot.
     
    I stopped and stared at him, knowing all the help in the world couldn’t get his hair to look as delicious as Levi’s. “Do you really want me to answer that?”
     
    “Um, no—I guess not.”
     
    During Calculus, I purposely kept my eyes down on my work, fighting the urge to look over at Levi. I did allow myself one peek and regretted it. Levi was staring right at me and a confused expression tainted his face. I quickly looked away, both surprised and unnerved at my reaction. I hated feeling weak and vulnerable. For years I’ve prided myself on being tough and in control of my emotions, and yet, in a little over a week’s time, Levi Drake had somehow managed to peel off a layer of my hard exterior. And dang it , I’d worked hard on packing the layers thick .
     
    I wasn’t always this angry. Before my dad died I could be seen wearing a smile at all times. My life was happy then. My dad called me his little sunshine. He said I could light up a dark room just by entering it. I sensed my mom and dad weren’t always happy with each other, but when we were together—we were a happy family. That was before the darkness came—before the sadness. The sadness stole my reason to smile—and anger replaced joy. 
     
    When I entered my Biology II class, I moaned aloud as I noticed Mr. Stevens had the room set up for a movie. With all my lack of quality sleep, trying to stay awake during a boring film proved to be impossible. I couldn’t fight it, as almost immediately upon starting the film, my head became heavy and my eyes drifted closed.
     
    A high keening noise, mixed with an angry growl, woke me with a start. I looked around and observed, with surprise, that I was in a thick forest surrounded by damp, green trees as far as the eye could see. I took a few cautious steps, noting the squishy feel of moss under my feet. I sensed the strange sensation of being watched and turned abruptly to find Levi standing behind me. He was wearing a brilliant smile, and my heart did flip-flops in response. His brilliant smile soon faded, however, and he tilted his head in an odd angle as he listened intently, to what I couldn’t imagine. At that moment, his expression turned to alarm, and he bolted into the forest and out of sight. As I stepped closer to the thick, dark brush, trying to catch the slightest glimpse of him, I heard him yell for me to run. Before my legs could attempt to obey, I heard something fast approaching and screamed in horror as a furry, dark creature with fangs jumped out at me.
     
    I jolted in my seat with a loud gasp, demanding attention from every student nearby. It took me a moment to get my bearings straight, realizing I’d been dreaming—how humiliating. Good thing I don’t give a rip-roaring rapids what people think of me or else my self-esteem might’ve been bruised.
     
    “What are you staring at?” I snapped at the poor boy sitting next to me. He immediately looked away. Some boys can be so easily intimidated, I noted with amusement.
     
    After class, I was at my locker putting my books away when I overheard the two girls next to me, Catherine and Emily, whispering. I normally wouldn’t care about what they were discussing, but, at the mention of Levi’s name, for reasons I didn’t want to consider, I found myself