Read Gifted Touch for Free Online Page B

Isn’t that just a pretty, pretty picture?”
    “That’s awful,” Rae said.
    Yana stood up. “Yeah, well, in a couple of years we’ll both be father-free. Or at least we won’t have to live in the same house with them anymore.” She pointed at the chunky shoes positioned neatly next to Rae’s closet. “Now, put those on. I’m driving you to school. I promised Daddy darling you wouldn’t be late, remember?”
    The bell rang. Rae knew she had to stand up. She knew she had to head down to the cafeteria. But she felt like all the bones had been surgically removed from her legs. How could she stand up when she had no leg bones? She busied herself putting her English book and her binder into her backpack, not-her thoughts popping in her brain like carbonation in soda as the rest of the class hurried out, laughing, talking, and shooting fast little I’m-not-looking glances at her.
    “Rae, would you mind doing us a favor?” Rae jerked up her head and saw Mr. Jesperson, her English teacher, standing in front of her. Next to him was a guy she didn’t recognize—which was probably why he was actually meeting her eye.
    “This is Jeff Brunner,” Mr. Jesperson continued.
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    “He’s new, and he needs someone to show him to the cafeteria. Since it’s my first day here, too, I don’t think I should be playing tour guide just yet.” He gave her a sympathetic smile, a smile that told her he’d already picked up the 411 on her in the teachers’
    lounge. He probably thought it would be easier for her to return to the scene of the “incident” if she had someone with her. Which was so not true.
    “Um, sure. I’ll show him,” Rae answered because it would be too weird to say no. And without con-sciously deciding to stand, she was on her feet and leading the way to the door. She pulled it open.
    / I CAN’T BELIEVE RAE CAME BACK /went psycho/
    God, it was bad enough just getting random thoughts. But these ones were so personal. Having them rush through her brain, with all that static underneath, was like getting attacked from the inside. And they felt so real —like they were actually coming from the people around her.
    “Thanks for doing this,” Jeff said as they stepped into the hall.
    “Actually, the cafeteria is incredibly easy to find,” she answered. “You know where the main office is, right?” She forced herself to look up at him, and he nodded. “Well, you just follow the mural that starts by the office. It ends right in front of the caf.”
    “You’re not coming?” Jeff asked, his gray eyes all 51
    puppy dog. He was cute and possibly trying to flirt, but she was far from flirt mode right now.
    “No, I am. Just not right this second.” The thought of walking back into the cafeteria was making her dizzy with anxiety.
    “Oh. Okay. So, I guess I’ll see you around,” Jeff said. And he actually blushed. His skin was so fair that the splotches of color looked almost painted on.
    He gave a half wave and started to stride away from her.
    “Wait,” she called. He immediately stopped and turned around. “Look. You’re new. So you don’t know. Although I’m sure you will soon enough.” Jeff raised his eyebrows, clearly puzzled. Rae hurried on.
    “Anyway, last spring I had this kind of meltdown in front of pretty much everyone. Trust me, you don’t want to go into the cafeteria with me. You’d be a freak by association.” She made a little pushing motion with her hands. “Go on. I’ll give you a head start.” Jeff smiled and took a step closer to her. “You’re trying to protect me?” He combed his dark hair away from his face with his fingers. “I don’t care what people think,” he said. “Let’s go together.” Wow. The guy had guts, at least. Every new kid knew that who you’re seen with those first few days is crucial to your rep.
    It would definitely be nice not to have to walk into 52
    the cafeteria alone. Those first few seconds, when everyone realized she was there and got