How I Lost You by Janet Gurtler Page B

heated again, imagining how stupid I sounded. Did I really offer to be his school buddy like we were in fifth grade? I cleared my throat and coughed.
    â€œThat,” he said, “would be awesome.”
    My cough died and I hid my smile. “So, um, how come you joined the league at Splatterfest?” I asked.
    â€œMy aunt thought it would be a good idea. She’s trying to encourage a relationship between Lucas and me. And since I have no friends.” He leaned back in his chair. Based on his expression, he didn’t seem too bothered by it.
    Again, I sensed making friends wouldn’t be an issue for this guy.
    â€œLucas’s friends are…” He stopped and tapped his finger on the rim of his cup.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œWell. They’re kind of idiots.”
    I laughed out loud. A mom looked over and grinned at me.
    My cell phone rang, interrupting us. My heart skipped. I grabbed for my purse and dug my hand inside, searching for my phone. I pulled it out and glanced down at call display. Kya’s name.
    Thank God. Worry had lingered under my skin all day. My senses were buzzing expectantly. Waiting for something. Dreading.
    â€œI have to take this,” I said. I clicked the phone on and put it to my ear. “Kya?” I asked.
    A squeaky noise filled my ear. I frowned. It sounded like crying.
    I swiveled on my seat and turned away from Levi. “Kya? What? What’s wrong?”
    She hiccupped into the phone.
    â€œKya?” I said, my voice louder. I could hear the urgency in my own voice. “What’s wrong?” I repeated.
    â€œGracie?” She sounded like a scared little girl. “He did it again.” She sniffled. “He did it again.”
    I held my breath. Terrified.
    Â 

chapter seven
    My body froze. Goosebumps ran up my arms. I turned further away from Levi.
    â€œAre you okay?” I whispered. I wanted to reach through the phone and hug her close to me. Protect her from his darkness. Evil.
    Kya didn’t answer. Over the phone, the background noise changed. Someone was knocking on a door.
    â€œKya,” I said sharply. “Where are you? I’ll come and get you.”
    She covered the phone. I heard muffled sounds. She called to someone. A door opened and the noise got louder. I heard bottles clink. She giggled but it was a messy half laugh, half sob.
    â€œKya!” I called.
    â€œHold on. Give me a sec,” she said in a slow over-enunciated voice. “I’m talking to Grace.”
    Over the phone, the door closed. It got quieter. Kya breathed loudly into the earpiece. “I hate…” She didn’t finish her sentence but breathed heavily into the receiver. The words hung in my ear. Asking to be completed.
    â€œKya,” I said in a louder voice. “I’m coming to get you. Right now. Where are you?”
    A boy called her name. The phone rustled around again. I heard faint giggling and then the phone was hung up.
    I pulled it away from my ear. Hit redial.
    â€œKya?” Levi mouthed softly. I nodded as it rang. Someone picked up, but before I said a word, it clicked off again.
    â€œWhat the hell?” I dialed again and it rang and rang and rang. “Shit.” The phone was heavy in my hand and my heart hammered. From the corner of my eye, I saw a girl about my age piggybacking a guy into the coffee shop. They were laughing and happy. Envy filtered through me for a moment and then it was gone.
    â€œIs she okay?” Levi asked, bringing me back to the moment.
    I wondered what he had gotten from my end of the conversation.
    â€œNo.” I pushed on the table to move my chair back and threw the phone back in my purse. “I’m sorry. I need to go. I have to find her.”
    He frowned and reached across the table, grabbing my hand. “What’s wrong with her?”
    His hand gripped mine. Too tight. I pulled hard to get away from him. The look on his face scared me. I