Read Online Finding Home by Lauren K. McKellar - Free Book Online Page A

towards his desk with a heavy heart. While it had been years since I’d been in school, I still dreaded being called up to see a teacher.
    ‘Yes, sir?’ I asked in a meek voice when I got to his desk.
    ‘I wanted to chat with you about things at home.’ Mr Davison’s bushy black brows furrowed, creating ripples of worry across his tanned forehead. He looked genuinely concerned, almost like he cared. This was clearly not good.
    ‘What do you mean?’
    ‘Your Aunt Lou called the school about you,’ he said. ‘She’s worried you may be having some trouble coping with your mum’s passing.’
    I felt sick. This was worse than any school-related misdemeanour: much, much worse.
    ‘I’m fine,’ I said through gritted teeth. I could feel my fists clenching.
    ‘Well,’ he continued, ‘I just wanted to let you know that we do have counselling available here in the office if you start to feel the pressure.’
    Counselling? I’m being offered mental help? I swallowed the insult. ‘Thanks, but I’ll be fine,’ I said and started to turn away.
    ‘Amy, don’t take this the wrong way. Lots of kids receive help,’ he said, sighing and running a hand through his curly hair. ‘You lost your mum, and you’re new to the school. The only type of person who doesn’t need counselling to help them with something like that is a superhero.’
    I remained silent. I could tell this was just as uncomfortable for Mr Davison as it was for me, but I didn’t know what else to say. Did I need medical help? Was I going crazy?
    No , I told myself sternly. I’m fine. Everything is fine.
    ‘Well, if you change your mind, you know where to find me.’ Mr Davison had given up the fight. ‘You know, I was worried when you chose to join Luke’s group, but I forgot what a good kid Nick is and how much you two would have in common. I think this was a good choice on your behalf, after all.’
    ‘What do you mean?’
    ‘Chat with him and see for yourself.’ Mr Davison turned back to his book, dismissing me.
    I walked back to the group. They were all fiddling with their instruments, tuning up — or, in Ashley’s case, trying to see how many times he could deftly twirl a drumstick in his hand before dropping it. I stared at Nick, trying to work out what we could possibly have in common. Well, we both liked Elton John, I thought, smiling. Our eyes are kind of a similar colour, too , so I ticked that off the list.
    Nick hunched over his instrument, his long fingers tapping the strings gently. He was so graceful, so delicate. My fingers could never work like that.
    ‘Are you in trouble?’ Luke asked, interrupting my staring session.
    ‘No,’ I replied.
    ‘Is it grades? Because if it is and you need to borrow notes, use Nick’s. He’s like a musical genius, or something. I always borrow his notes when I’m off, don’t I, Nick?’
    ‘And sometimes even when you’re not,’ Nick said. There was an edge to his voice and his eyebrows had definitely narrowed. Maybe Nick and Luke weren’t as tight as I’d originally thought.
    ‘Ha-ha, yeah, whatever,’ Luke said, his face coming alive. ‘Hey, what are you up to this weekend? Ashley’s parents are out of town, so he’s having a party.’
    I blinked. What? Had Luke just invited me to a party?
    ‘It’s more like a small gathering, really,’ Ashley said.
    ‘Oh, I don’t know. I don’t want to crash,’ I protested. After all, it was Ashley’s party. If he’d wanted me to go, surely he would have invited me himself.
    ‘You wouldn’t be intruding, Amy,’ Nick said. ‘We’d love it if you came.’
    ‘And besides, Coral can’t come, she has some family thing. I’ll need someone to talk to when these two go on the prowl and try to pick up.’ Luke winked at me and touched my leg. His hand felt warm and rough at the same time, lingering on my bare skin for only a few seconds. The movement was casual enough to have been an accident, but long enough for me to get the shivers