Shattered: A Salvation Society Novel by Bella Emy (pdf to ebook reader .TXT) 📕

the best for their daughter, and I’m not sure if Jason would ever fit that description. But then again, I don’t know him all that well. I just know her parents would most likely want to scrutinize him and make sure his intentions with their daughter are good. But now I’m getting way ahead of myself. Erin has only had one night out with him.

“You’re thinking that far in advance?” I ask.

She nods. “If things continue going the way they seemed tonight, I’ll be ready to marry Jason in a few months… weeks, even.”

“Wow, seriously?”

She smirks at me. “Okay, obviously not marry, but he’s definitely someone I can see myself spending a lot of time with. Is it so hard to believe I may have found a good guy? Or that someone actually wants to hang out with me… other than you?”

I want to chuckle at her statement but decide against it. This probably wouldn’t be a good time for jokes. She’s sending daggers my way.

“Not at all, Erin. I’m happy for you. I just want to make sure you’re not jumping in the water with your eyes closed, that’s all. I’ve seen you hurt before over a guy, and I’d hate for it to happen again because of—”

She abruptly cuts me off. “Well, it’s not, so you can just chill and be happy for me.”

I hold out my hands. “Fair enough.”

Erin sits up. “How was your evening?”

Dare I tell her that Kalen asked to see me again? I don’t know if I should. If I tell her I told him no, she wouldn’t be too happy with me, I’m sure of it. “Good,” I reply instead.

She nudges me in the arm. “Good? That’s it? You’re not going to tell me how it felt as Kalen kissed you goodnight on your front porch?” She closes her eyes and makes smooching sounds.

I roll my eyes. “We didn’t kiss.”

Her eyebrows hit her hairline. “Seriously? Not even a peck after the way he was looking at you and flirting with you tonight?”

I fold my arms across my chest. “He was not.”

She makes a face at me, telling me she’s not buying it. “Oh, yes, he was. I’ll bet he asked to see you again at the end of the night.”

My eyes widen. “How do you know that?”

Erin shrugs, giving me an all-knowing grin. “I can sense these things.”

I throw her a smirk. “Yeah, sure.”

She cracks up. Once she catches her breath, she says, “Jason may have mentioned Kalen wanted to see you again.”

“How could he have possibly known that? We just met Kalen tonight…”

“Well, Kalen might have mentioned something to Jason on our way to get ice cream.”

“But he was walking with me—”

“Except for the few minutes when he pulled Jason aside and I met up to walk with you…”

Shit. Erin’s right. Kalen had been walking with me the whole way there except for a few minutes when she started walking with me. I had figured Kalen was tired of me. But then, I guess he wasn’t if he asked to see me again. Still, I don’t think I have any type of chance with him. I need to keep my distance so I don’t end up getting hurt. A guy like him starting at our school in a couple of days is going to be trouble. Every single girl is going to be on him like white on rice.

“So? What did you say when he asked you out?” Erin asks, bringing me out of my thoughts.

I shrug. “I said no.”

She looks like she wants to kill me again. “No? You said no? What do you mean, you said no?”

I shrug yet again. I’ll probably break my shoulders by the end of this night. “You know, as in the opposite of yes?”

Erin rolls her eyes at me. “Dumbass, I know what no means. I wanna know why you said no. He seemed super nice and totally into you. Do you not like him?”

I look down at the floor, and then moments later, back at her. “I think he’s cute and sweet, and a great guy…”

“But…”

“But, I know I don’t stand a chance with him.”

She furrows her brows again. “Why not? What makes you say that? You’re an awesome chick. You’re pretty and smart and funny. And you’re my best friend, and any guy who thinks otherwise does not deserve you. But Kalen seems genuine enough. What gives?”

I let out a deep sigh. Of course I know she feels that way about me, and I feel the same about her. But doesn’t she realize what’s going to happen come Wednesday when school starts?

“I just think he’s going to quickly become super popular once he starts at Tranquility Creek High and then realizes I’m nothing or anyone special.” I frown only for a second before realizing it and wiping it off my face. I don’t want Erin to think I’m upset over this, even if it does suck just a little. Kalen really is a great guy. But still, I have to stay away before I catch feelings for a guy I can never have. He’s totally out of my league.

“Lexi, you’re being silly and overthinking shit again, as usual. Can’t you just accept the fact that he may really like you and just wants to spend time with you? You can’t always live in the ‘what if’ wondering if his feelings are going to change once the skanks at TCHS are going to attack him.”

I can’t continue this conversation with her tonight. It’s going to drive me absolutely crazy because even though she may be right, there’s the chance she’s not, and I don’t want to be up all night thinking about this.

“Maybe. But can we get some sleep now?”

Erin snaps her head to where my clock is on my nightstand. “But it’s only two-thirty in the morning.”

I shake my head and roll my eyes. “Only?”

“The night is young…”

I giggle. “Oh, Erin. You’re crazy.”

She smiles. “And that’s why you love me.” She gets up