Read Crush for Free Online Page B

torture,” Kirsty replied. “Every word another drop on my forehead.”
    They stood quietly for a moment. Jonathan didn’t know what else to say to the girl. He was full-on nervous, and the chilled anxiety in his stomach was making him uncomfortable. Maybe he should just say good-bye.
    â€œIt’s strange so many people are out,” Kirsty said.
    â€œStrange?” he asked, grateful she’d broken the silence.
    â€œAfter Mr. Weaver. I figured most people wouldstay home for a while.”
    â€œI didn’t even think about that. You don’t seem too worried. I mean, you’re out.”
    â€œI shouldn’t be,” she said. “But since Dad left, Mom’s been really needy. I figured once we moved, she’d lighten up, but that didn’t really happen.”
    â€œSorry to hear about your dad,” Jonathan said. The words felt awkward on his tongue. He didn’t know Kirsty at all, so his condolence felt insincere. Fortunately she didn’t seem to notice.
    â€œThanks,” Kirsty said. “That’s nice of you.”
    â€œWhen did he leave?”
    â€œAbout a year ago. A lot of drama.”
    â€œThat blows. Do you still see him?”
    Kirsty didn’t answer immediately. She looked up at the ceiling covering the walkway, stared at it as if searching for the answer there. “Not much,” she said, finally. “Like I said, a lot of drama.”
    Another uncomfortable silence fell over them. Jonathan was about to say “that blows” again, but knew it would sound lame. Instead, he decided to change the subject because it didn’t seem like either of them wanted to discuss Kirsty’s father any more.
    â€œHow do you like it here?” he asked.
    Kirsty’s response surprised him because she didn’t answer his question. Instead, she said, “Do you want to walk? I’m getting kind of cold just standing here.”
    â€œI guess,” Jonathan said. “Where do you want to go?”
    â€œWould you mind walking me home?” Kirsty said. “It’s not far.”
    â€œSure,” Jonathan said. It wasn’t like he had anything better to do.
    Â 
    Kirsty lived in the Briar Gate development, which was half a mile down Horace Road, the street running parallel to Crossroads Boulevard on the other side of the mall. As they walked, Jonathan found himself unable to relax around Kirsty. Yeah, she was nice, and she was even kind of interesting, but she also seemed distant, sort of cold. Jonathan understood. It wasn’t exactly like he was Mr. Personality tonight either. They were simply two school outcasts who bumped into each other and decided to take a walk.
    â€œSo, do you miss your friends?”
    â€œDidn’t really have friends,” Kirsty said. “My dadscared people off. He’d get up in their faces and drill them like an army sergeant. He was totally paranoid. It freaked people out. I learned pretty young to keep other kids away from the house. And since he was really strict, I didn’t get to spend much time away from home, except to go to school and…”
    â€œAnd?” Jonathan asked.
    â€œChurch,” Kirsty whispered, as if embarrassed. “My folks were both hyper about the church back in Spokane. My mom has totally lightened up about it now, but…Ugh! It sucked. What about you?”
    â€œWe don’t go to church,” he said. In fact, he’d probably only been in a church five or six times in his entire life. He attended two Sunday-school classes when he was like six years old, and after that it was just weddings.
    â€œWhat about friends? I don’t see you hanging out with anyone at school.”
    â€œMy best friend…” Only friend . “…goes to Melling.” And he thinks you’re hot , Jonathan added to himself.
    Jeez, what would David say if he found out he was walking Kirsty home? David had played ittotally cool at