Read Forever for Free Online Page B

shrine. People did that a lot these days.
    There were a few other students in the lab, already working. The assistant—a grad student—glanced up at me, then went back to whatever she was reading.
    It was a relief to sit at a counter and pull out my lab work. Quiet, time to think, and be normal in a classroom. I needed that. I was a little distracted, but got through my assignment before it was time to head to class.
    As I walked down the hall, passing other students, I had the feeling that everyone was looking at me. That was a feeling I was familiar with, and it had never boded well for me. My shoulder muscles tensed despite my reminding myself that it was just curiosity because of the dead body.
    I had chosen UNM to get away from the anti-gay attitude in my home town. It was present in Albuquerque, too, but less so. Bigger city, without the heavy southern influence of Cruces. More liberal.
    I turned in my homework, then took a seat in the front row and immediately opened my text to start reading. Kept my nose in the book until the prof started his lecture.
    I failed to take useful notes, despite good intentions. Couldn’t keep my mind from wandering. Eventually I became aware that everyone around me was standing up. It was 12:20; class was over. I hadn’t absorbed a single concept.
    I put my notebook in my pack and joined the throng shuffling out the door. Professor Baker, a thirtyish guy with Scandanavian looks—likeable, though married—stepped up and caught my eye.
    “Heard you had a rough day yesterday.”
    I blinked. Took a minute for me to realize he meant Kimberly.
    “Oh. Yeah.”
    “I half-expected you not to be here today.”
    The crowd parted around us like a stream around boulders, heading for the exit. A couple of the students gave me knowing looks.
    “Well, I kind of wasn’t,” I said. “Sorry—I had trouble concentrating.”
    “I figured.” He handed me an index card with some page numbers written on it. “Go over that section in the text again. Should help.”
    “Thanks.” I stared down at the card, touched and embarrassed.
    “Call or stop by my office if you have any questions.”
    “OK.” I slid the card into my pack, then met his gaze and managed a smile. “Thank you.”
    “Sure thing.”
    He turned to go, following the last few students filing out. I went out, too, and stood in the hall, blinking.
    Afraid to move.
    What if Lomen didn’t come? What if he’d changed his mind?
    I took a deep breath, and forced my frozen feet to move. It would be ironic if, after all my fretting, I was the one who didn’t show up.
    I chickened out and left the building by the east door. I didn’t need to see the shrine again. Outside, the sun was blinding. I paused to let my eyes adjust, then strode toward the duck pond west of Zimmerman library.
    Amanda wasn’t working at the library this semester. I’d been disappointed to learn that, but now I wondered if it was because Ebonwatch had made her a better offer.
    I swallowed. Don’t think about Ebonwatch. This is about Lomen and me.
    I slowed as I reached the pond. All I saw were a couple of girls sitting on the grass and one chubby guy sacked out in the sunshine on the far side of the pond. My throat tightened as I scanned the people farther away, walking by on their way to and from classes, then I noticed someone sitting on a bench in the shade of some trees on the library side.
    Crazy, the relief that went through me. I took a steadying breath and walked toward the trees.
    Lomen was tearing pieces off a bread roll and tossing them to the ducks. Now and then a crumb would fall between his feet, and a little bird would hop out of the nearby bushes, snatch it up, and fly away.
    As I stepped into the shade, he looked up and smiled at me. His clothes were rustic cotton, vaguely hippie-looking, like what Savhoran and Len had worn. His hair spilled loose over his shoulders. I caught my breath at the sight, wanting to run my fingers through that