The Awakener Read online

“I’m serious, Eden. Andrew digs you,” Jessie said again. When Eden remained silent, she added, “Hello, earth to Eden.”

  “Huh, what?” she answered, her eyes focusing on her friend, who was sprawled across her bed, lying on her stomach.

  Jessie shoved her math book aside as she sat up. “Did you even hear what I said?”

  Eden eyed the book, now teetering at the edge of the mattress. “Y-e-s.”

  “Liar, you’ve got no idea what I’ve been saying for the past ten minutes, do you? Why aren’t you excited? Andrew’s way cute.”

  She considered her friend’s words before it registered. “Wait, you think Andrew likes me? Jessie, you’re crazy.”

  “No way, he stares at you like the whole time during trig. He’s always talking to you too.”

  “He’s teasing me, making fun of me. I’m pretty sure that means he does not like me.”

  “Whatever, I know what I see—”

  Jessie’s words were cut off by Eden’s mom hollering. “Eden, phone’s for you.”

  Eden jumped up off the floor, her own math book falling from her lap, and ran to the door. Her mom met her in the hall, handing her the cordless phone.

  “Hello,” she said, returning to her bedroom, where Jessie was off the bed, peering at herself in the mirror, fiddling with her red curls.

  “Hey, what’s up?”

  Eden instantly knew the voice; it was one she longed to hear almost daily now.

  “Nothing. How ‘bout you?” she answered, trying to ignore Jessie mouthing the words who is it over and over.

  “Not much. Just getting everything ready, you know.”

  “Yeah, bet you’re excited, right?”

  Micah sighed. “I guess. Hey, can you come over?”

  She swallowed. “Sure.”

  “I’m leaving pretty early in the morning, and… well, I’d like to say good-bye.”

  She struggled to keep her voice even with the lump lodged in her throat. “Ok, yeah, me too.”

  Jessie was now throwing her hands up. “Eden, who the heck is it—?”

  “I can come get you if you want,” Micah offered.

  Eden waved her hand at her friend to be quiet as she said, “Ok, thanks.”

  “See you in ten.” He hung up and Eden stared at the receiver.

  Jessie’s hands were on her hips. “So?”

  “It was Micah. Guess it’s time to say good-bye.”

  “Oh well, good riddance if you ask me.”

  “Jessie, Micah’s my—”

  “Best friend, yeah, I know. But the dude’s popular and cocky.”

  “Micah’s not cocky.”

  “Ok, well, maybe he’s not, but all his friends are stuck up. And don’t even get me started on his girlfriend, ugh, gag me.”

  Eden smiled, agreeing full-heartedly with Jessie on that point.

  “I just don’t want you to get hurt, Eden,” Jessie sighed. “Micah’s not like us. And I know how you feel about him.” Jessie cut off Eden’s protests, “Don’t even try to deny it, I can totally tell you like him. Just remember, Micah thinks of you as a friend, nothing more. He’s got a girlfriend, Megan, the biggest—”

  “Trust me, I know where I stand with Micah. And we are just friends, anyway.”

  “Ok.” Jessie grinned, raising an eyebrow. “Now Andrew, on the other hand…”