The Tension of Opposites

The Tension of Opposites by Kristina McBride Page B

Book: The Tension of Opposites by Kristina McBride Read Free Book Online
Authors: Kristina McBride
Ads: Link
walking through the halls.”
    â€œUgh, I know,” Darcy said. “It’s obnoxious. Did you hear the whole vampire thing?”
    I shook my head. “Don’t think I want to.”
    â€œIt borders on hilarity, really. Classic tale of vampire preying on girl, girl changing, and voilà, needing the source of her violation.” Darcy pointed a finger in the air. “The story, I believe, is an infantile attempt to make sense of Noelle waiting two years to escape when she seemed to have the opportunity—”
    â€œNo one knows what really happened,” I said. Which killed me, because I was supposed to be Noelle’s best friend.
    â€œSome jerk in my math class was saying that she wanted to be with the guy.” Max’s voice quieted down to a near whisper. “I saw an interview with some people from the neighborhood where she’d been staying. She was seen out in public all the time, and everyone thought he was her father.”
    â€œI don’t understand any of that,” I said, shaking my head, trying for the millionth time to flip the information around in my mind so it would make sense. “All I know is that no matter how free she seemed, she couldn’t have gotten away until now or she would have.”
    â€œRight. I’m sure.” Darcy widened her eyes at Max and nodded toward me. “Tess and Noelle, the girl who was kidnapped, they were, like, BFFs.”
    I could not think about Noelle now. Not here. I glanced at my desktop, at the words etched in the wood. Run, baby, run , it urged me.
    â€œI didn’t …,” Max sputtered. “I had no idea.”
    â€œIt’s fine,” I said. “I mean, it’s kind of like an accident, right? People want to know about it, see it up close. But only if it doesn’t touch their lives.”
    â€œHave you talked to her yet?” Darcy asked. Suddenly, the photography classroom seemed quiet. Too quiet, like everyone was waiting for my response. “It’s been three weeks, hasn’t it?”
    â€œFour. And no, I haven’t talked to her yet,” I said. “All I know is the same stuff you do from the news.”
    â€œI can’t imagine,” Max said, “how awful it must have been when she went missing.”
    â€œI’m just ready for people to stop talking about it.” I stabbed my notebook with my pen.
    â€œUm, do I need to remind you that Noelle’s kidnapping practically stopped every form of life here in Centerville two years ago?” Darcy tapped her desk with a fingernail, punctuating her words.
    â€œWhat’s that mean?” Max asked. “What was so different before?”
    â€œOh, everything.” Darcy shrugged. “This used to be your typical little Midwestern town. People didn’t feel like they had to lock their doors or watch their kids when they went out to play. The kidnapping choked our entire town with sadness. And fear.”
    I crossed one leg over the other, wishing Darcy would stop talking.
    â€œHuh,” Max said with a nod. “I understand that the people who knew her and her family would be affected. But the whole town?”
    â€œTrust me. Her experience has touched everyone. People all over the country, really. My cousin from Oregon called the other day to see if I know her. And now there’s going to be some trial that’ll be covered by about a zillion reporters who’ll tromp in from all over. I’m sorry to tell you, but people are going to be on this all freaking year, Tess.” Darcy gave an exaggerated shiver. “Plus, there’s the whole creep factor. No one can imagine what it was like for her.”
    I realized that my foot was shaking back and forth in a violent manner and tucked it behind the leg of my desk.
    Max had been staring at me as Darcy spoke. “I bet you’re dying to talk to her,” he said softly.
    â€œYeah. I can’t wait.” I reached

Similar Books

Mercy F*uck

K. S. Adkins