Read Pulse for Free Online Page B

chair.
    “Empty your pockets,” Miss Newhouse said.
    “Why would I do that?” Dylan had a whispery voice, low and heavy.
    “Because there’s a Wire Code in this school, and I’m looking for it.”
    “And you think I know something about that because . . . ?”
    “Empty the pockets,” Newhouse said.
    There was a pause, and Faith could sense Dylan sitting up straighter, putting his face right up in Miss Newhouse’s grille.
    “Miss Newhouse, can I offer you a mint? You could use one.”
    Faith laughed, catching herself too late, and quickly put the headphone back on her ear. She couldn’t hear anything outside the bubble of Professor Buford as she stared at her Tablet, watching him speak. Her heart was racing, but she didn’t dare look back and give herself away. There was a tapping on her shoulder, and Faith jumped, making a sound she couldn’t hear. When she looked up, Miss Newhouse was standing over her, motioning her to remove her headphones. She reached across Faith’s desk and paused the lecture as Faith caught a glimpse of Dylan in the corner. He had stood and pulled his pockets all the way out, where they lay against his pants like little white ghosts. Of course there was no Wire Code, no string of plastic beads, each bead with a number or a letter. On inspection, his pockets had proven very empty.
    “Are you having trouble focusing today?” Miss Newhouse asked Faith. “I can move you to a private room if it would help, though we don’t encourage it. Isolation doesn’t tend to improve results.”
    “I’m fine, just a little tickle in my throat is all.”
    Faith coughed for good measure, and Miss Newhouse, looking unconvinced, told her to get back to work.
    “Yes, ma’am. No problem. Working,” Faith said, then she put her headphones back on and tapped the screen on her Tablet before Miss Newhouse could object.
    She moved off, signaling Dylan to sit down and stalking other students; and Faith stole one more glance at the back of the room, where Dylan was looking bored and aloof. He pushed his pockets in, shrugging his powerful shoulders as he sat down.
    Cute, Faith thought. She allowed herself to linger on his big eyes and dark brows for a moment longer, hoping he wouldn’t look up. Too bad he’s trouble.
     
    Faith couldn’t decide whether or not to take Liz with her to the gym in order to watch Wade be amazing and gorgeous or not, but the dilemma answered itself when she couldn’t find her in the lunchroom. Faith chewed on one of her nails, a habit she’d put out of its misery on nine fingers. The pinkie on her right hand was taking all the damage that had once been spread across ten fingers, but it was holding up. It was a tough little pinkie, only bleeding a little when Faith was extremely nervous and chewed right down to the skin.
    “Sorry, little buddy,” she said as she arrived at the gym. “Way to take one for the team. You done good.”
    Talking to herself helped; but when she entered the gym, she found someone she didn’t expect, and her nerves went back into high gear.
    Dylan Gilmore was shooting baskets, and Wade was nowhere to be found. The gym was empty and full of echoes as Dylan bounced a ratty leather ball. He’d shed his shirt and wore only jeans, skate shoes, and a necklace.
    “Excuse me,” Faith stammered from across the open space where she stood at the door. “Isn’t there supposed to be some sort of jumping going on in here?”
    Dylan shot from the far end of the baseline and missed everything, then stared at the floor and shook his head.
    “I would have made that. You distracted me.”
    “Try again. I’ll be quiet this time.”
    Dylan faced her from across the gym and smiled, which was the first time she’d seen him looking even remotely happy. It was a nice smile. She wondered how tall he was up close.
    Faith didn’t have much time to stare, because Dylan seemed to be done playing basketball. He picked up his T-shirt and put it on, then took up his