Read Ethereal for Free Online Page B

nailing Michelle in the face with it.
    “If any of that crap about Logan is true, his ass is toast.” Brielle hisses.
    If any of that stuff about Logan is true I want off Paragon. I’ll swim all the way back to L.A. if I have to.

Chapter Ten
     
    Gathering
     
    “So it’s prolly the wrong time to ask, but how exactly does one garner a handful of enemies in the short time we’ve been here?” Drake asks with a mouthful of chips.
    I slap the next chip out of his hand.
    “Stay away from the food. It’s not for you.” To say I’ve been a little pissed since my confrontation yesterday with the bitch squad is a tad bit of an understatement. I made Brielle promise she wouldn’t tell me whatever info she may have gleaned from her shift last night at the bowling alley. I want to hear it right out of Logan’s mouth—see his face when he tells me what exactly is going on. There are a thousand different scenarios playing out in my mind, but the truth is, not one of them makes me feel better. And the thought of Logan having sex with some dead girl in my bedroom sent me packing for the downstairs couch last night. I know she wasn’t dead at the time, but dead or alive, it hurt like hell to hear it.
    “Ignore us please.” Brielle sounds just as annoyed with Drake as I am. Maybe the delusion has been shattered, and she sees him for the monkey boy he really is. “They’re everybody’s enemies.” She pulls a face.
    “So you’re saying I’m in good company.” I pour the lemonade I just mixed from powder into a large glass container my mother uses at her parties. Chips and dip? Lemonade? “This is so going to suck.” I slide my arm over my face in distress.
    “So what. We’re watching a movie. The guys are bringing pizza. And by nights end you may not hate Michelle so much.”
    My eyes dart over to her accusingly. She’s implying that what Michelle said yesterday was true, at least partially. I hold up my hand. I don’t want to know anything else—for now.
    “When they get here, I’ll take him upstairs and he’ll tell me everything. Just start the movie, don’t go waiting for us. I’ve seen it a thousand times already.”
    “This innocent movie get together is a rouse for you to get it on with some guy upstairs in your bedroom?” Drake’s back straightens at his misinformed epiphany.
    At least mom, Tad and the girls have left, which leaves me free to beat the shit out of Drake for sport if I so choose.
    The doorbell goes off. Saved by the bell, literally.  
    Brielle rushes over and lets them in. Gage strides in with a giant white pizza box. Natalie and Kate come in all smiles and hellos, each offering me a hug.
    “I can’t believe they did that to you.” Kate whispers in my ear. I’m not quite sure which offense she’s referencing. The list seems to grow by the hour.  
    Logan steps in last. He looks luminescent with a crisp white t-shirt, simple dark jeans, white sneakers. His hair has track marks from his comb, and it’s still damp around the edges as though he’s fresh from the shower.
    “Hi.” He gives a soft embrace rubbing the skin on the back of my neck with his fingers. I’m innocent I swear.
    “I believe you.” I say the words out loud. I’m spellbound by him already. I think even if we didn’t share our gift I would be anyway.  
    We gather in the family room where I toss around paper plates like Frisbees. Logan doesn’t eat, just stands off to the side with his arms folded across his chest.
    “So here’s the movie. If you don’t like it blame Drake.” It’s some cheesy movie from ten years ago. I point over to the cabinet beneath the TV. “There’s lots more crap where that came from.” That was Tad’s major contribution to the household a boatload of B movies.
    “You got the comedy channel?” Gage takes the remote and channel surfs while everyone finds a spot and gets comfy.
      “Hey, would you like a tour of the house?” I exaggerate my words over at