Dark Mind (The Dark Mind Trilogy Book 1) by Matthew Goldstein Page B

just never been asked that before and, well, you asked it kind of out of nowhere.”
    “Hehe, yeah, sorry ‘bout that. I do that.”
    “So, yeah, I have no idea. As far as I know, I have no father. It’s always just been me and my mom for as long as I can remember. She never mentioned him to me and I guess I never asked.”
    “Oh, that sucks. Aren’t you wondering about him at all?”
    “I wasn’t until now,” Cole said, staring at the floor.
    “Oh, sorry, new subject. Are you excited about the amusement park this weekend? It’s gonna be so much fun. The whole grade is gonna be there. I love that park. I’ve been on every ride like ten times.”
    “I’m… not going.” He never lifted his eyes from the intricate patterns on the floor. Good moods never last very long.
    “What?! Are you serious? Why not?”
    “I don’t want to.” He wished she would stop pestering him with uncomfortable questions.
    “You have to go. It’ll be so much fun. You’ll be missing out on the greatest trip ever. Have you ever been there?”
    “No,” Cole admitted. “My mom was never big on those things.” Meaning she doesn’t have the money to take me anywhere.
    “Oh come on. You’ll love it. Promise me you’ll go. Please, please, please, please?”
    Cole glanced up into her pleading eyes. “I don’t know… I guess I could.”
    “Good. I’m holding you to that. You won’t regret it.”
    Cole dropped into a chair. “How did I let you convince me?”
    Amy pulled up a smaller desk chair and sat down facing him. “I’m good. Anyway, I hope you don’t mind me asking. That kid at school was a jerk , but I am just wondering.”
    “What is it?” Cole asked, curious , but dreading the question nonetheless.
    “Well, I was just wondering. Why do you twitch sometimes?”
    Cole froze in his seat, the floor patterns recapturing his attention.
    “I don’t mean that in a bad way. Really. I won’t think any of less of you no matter what the reason.”
    A long moment passed.
    “Never mind. Forget it,” Amy said.
    “I’m really not sure,” Cole said. He avoided eye contact and knew his face was turning red. “I think it just happens when I’m feeling uncomfortable. I can’t help it.” His voice trailed off. What can I say? I’m partially insane from a game I play in my head? The only thing that will do is convince her I’m psychotic. Which I probably am, but I’d rather her not know that.
    “That’s fine. You’re interesting. That’s why I like you. So…”
    From there, the conversation turned in a more favorable direction. He was amazed at how quickly he went from wanting to crawl under his bed and forget the world to being at ease. They spent the rest of their time laughing and talking about trivialities. The night was over in a flash and the unexpected sound of the doorbell caught Cole by surprise. He looked up at the clock and couldn’t believe what he saw. How was it two hours already?
    Amy looked up at the clock too. “Wow, really? That sucks. I don't wanna go home. Can I just live here with you and your crazy aunt?” She smiled. “But hey, I’ll see you Sunday, right? It's gonna be awesome. Oh, and I can take this?” She held up the Poe book.
    “Of course,” Cole said.
    “Thanks. So, make sure you get the permission slip signed. I can’t wait.”
    “Uh-huh.” Hiding his disappointment, Cole led Amy to the front door, said a quick goodbye and then they were gone, leaving him standing in the doorway feeling empty. He experienced an unexplained wave of anger as Amy walked away, holding her mother’s hand, and got into her car. He stood in the entrance hall a full five minutes before he gathered the energy to return to his chair in the library. He sat there in silence, waiting for Beth to go to sleep. Twenty minutes after the last sounds in the house, he wandered into the kitchen, grudgingly getting leftovers out of the refrigerator. He hated having to rely on Beth , but what choice did he