Read When Reason Breaks for Free Online

find my locker before class. I’ll see you in first period.”
    As Emily weaved through the halls, Kevin followed her at a safe enough distance not to appear suspicious.
    Emily stopped in front of her locker and fumbled through the combination. Kevin arrived a few seconds later and leanedon the locker next to hers. She glanced at him and acted disinterested.
    â€œSo, your summer was just okay, Delgado? Really?”
    Emily nodded and choked back a laugh.
    â€œDamn, that’s harsh. Couldn’t you have said it was good, at least? I mean that’s better than okay—not by much, but better.”
    â€œIt was good,” she admitted. Emily cracked a smile and continued to put a few things into her locker.
    â€œIf you were being honest, then you would say it was great.”
    â€œLet’s not get carried away,” she said jokingly.
    â€œOh, really?” He leaned over so that his mouth was near her ear. “Maybe you need a reminder,” he whispered.
    â€œ
¡Basta!
” Emily snapped.
    â€œThat is so hot,” he said and inched closer to her.
    Emily backed away and looked around. Satisfied that no one was paying attention to them, she said in a clear, low voice. “Kevin, we talked about this. You know I haven’t told Sarah and Abby. I’m sure they’re going to ask me about the hug, and I’ll have to convince them it meant nothing. I swear, I’ll disown you if you tell anyone or make it obvious.”
    â€œAll right,” he said. “Chill. I get it.” After a few moments of silence, he added, “I’m going to walk away. Wait a few seconds and then follow me.”
    â€œWhere are you going?”
    â€œYou’ll see,” he said before he left.
    Emily closed her locker and spent the next few seconds zipping her backpack and adjusting the straps so that it hungexactly the right way. She glanced down the hallway to see where Kevin was and then began to follow him.
    Both said hello to friends along the way, but they kept moving. Kevin led her far away from the main hallway and down a flight of stairs. He crossed an empty corridor, opened a door, and went in. Emily looked around. The coast was clear. She opened the door hesitantly and stepped inside the dark room.
    Kevin grabbed her and lifted her in a hug. Emily let out a little scream and then laughed.
    â€œFor someone who doesn’t want to attract attention, you sure make a lot of noise,” Kevin said as he put her down.
    â€œIt’s too dark in here to see you,” Emily said. “What is this place?”
    Kevin pulled out his cell phone and turned on the flashlight function. He waved the light around so Emily could see the room. Costumes hung on rolling clothes racks, and small props cluttered most of the room. One table held several wigs and cases filled with makeup, the thick kind that won’t melt off the actors’ faces under the glaring lights.
    Emily stared at a large sketch of the tragedy and comedy masks that covered one wall. The weeping Tragedy seemed both frightened and sorrowful, while the laughing Comedy was oddly sinister.
    â€œIt’s a storage room,” Kevin said. “I discovered it last year when I dated Thalia, the drama queen.”
    â€œDon’t be mean.”
    â€œNo, I’m serious. She starred in almost every show, so I called her my drama queen. Not in a bad way, like a nickname,” he explained.
    â€œCute.” Emily crossed her arms in front of her chest and turned away a little. She grabbed her small silver crucifix pendant and pulled it back and forth along her thin necklace.
    â€œThanks,” he said. “Let’s not talk about her.”
    Kevin left the flashlight function on and set his phone on a nearby table. “It’s not candlelight, but …” They stared at each other for a few moments. “Come here.”
    Emily let her backpack slip off her shoulders. She walked slowly to