Read Distraction: The Distraction Trilogy #1 for Free Online Page B

wouldn’t?
    After a quick shower to warm my freezing skin, I dress in warm jeans and a waterproof jacket, doubled with a thick jumper underneath. I place my work clothes in my bag, along with my shoes, and tuck my phone into my bra to keep it extra protected. The rain hasn’t abated at all and I’m not looking forward to this trip to work. Now I’m starting to wish Mum was home. We share a car and have done ever since my dad took mine off me six months ago, only two months after I got it. That’s the reason I’m working now, trying to save up for my own car so I have something to drive when I start University in Boston next September. At least, that’s where I’m hoping to go. It is at least two hours away, which is far enough for me to have my own life but close enough for me to drive back if I need.
    Which I most likely will need to do on occasion.
     
    “I’m early, I ran, I need to change and sit down.” I pant after racing into Crystal’s and almost colliding with the eighty-eight year old woman herself. “Sorry.”
    “Go,” she snorts and ushers me into the back room, where I hastily change and take five minutes to collect myself.
    I tie my hair into a bun atop my head and head back out to the till. Crystal throws me an apron, which I tie into place, and announces that it’s her break time. I watch the silvery haired woman vanish into the same room I just vacated.
    Then I get to work. Due to the lack of customers I’m able to check my phone, sighing when I see multiple messages from friends asking me to go to a party. I really wish I could, but I don’t finish until nine. I’m on clean up duty.
    Hayley, being the awesome friend that she is, decides to come and sit with me as I work. I’m definitely grateful for the company, there’s no doubt about that.
    “Shitty day at school?” She asks, leaning against the counter as I wipe down the boards.
    “I feel like our whole lives are consumed by schooling and education at the moment. I get that we need to work hard, but I just don’t feel as into it as I was in year eleven.”
    She nods, frowning slightly. “I know, everything just feels so serious now. Especially since we failed our mock exams last year, even if we passed our AS studies. That was scary.”
    “I need fun, but Dad won’t let me out later than ten at the moment. He really doesn’t trust me.”
    She laughs loudly and I’m startled by the sound, seeing as I didn’t say anything funny. “Sorry, I was just remembering when I vomited on his shoes during the holidays.”
    Now it’s my turn to laugh. “You’re vile. They were his best work shoes.”
    “Who cares? He took your car, remember?” Her eyebrows wag, making her blue eyes brighten and widen. “Speaking of which, guess who’s going to ask you out soon.”
    “Who?” Please say Garrett, please, please, please!
    “Garrett, obviously. I heard him say to Riley that he thinks you’re a top lass.”
    My face falls. “Top lass? That’s hardly lad speak for wife material.”
    “He doesn’t seem the type to do lad speak. This could be the beginning of something special.”
    “Or a disaster,” I mutter, ushering her out of the way when a customer walks in and heads straight to the desk. I prepare their order and watch them make their way towards a table by the window. “We’ve only got thirty eight weeks left of school, then I’m going to Boston University and you, my ‘bestest’ friend, are going to London to pursue your singing career.” I give her a long look before adding. “Even though you can’t sing for shit.”
    “Oh come on, you know I was kidding. I’m just romanticising reality. I’m going to be stuck in this hellhole forever. I’ll probably end up a teacher like Mr Diplock and never leave.”
    My heart twitches and my eyes become round with concern. “Hayley, you’re smart enough to be anything you want. Don’t give up.”
    “Coming from Miss Easy A herself.”
    I roll my eyes. “I failed my