Page 4 of All the Ways You Save Me
“Okay, well, I did read a lot over the summer,” I admit. Mom was busy with her new job and Josie was getting ready to go to Berkeley. I didn’t have much else to do besides reading. “The last book I read was calledThe Poisonwood Bibleby Barbara Kingsolver.”
“Sounds very Jesus-y.”
I look at him sideways. “Why? Because it has ‘bible’ in the name?”
He nods.
“Well, it’s not. Or at least not like it sounds. It’s about a missionary family who goes to the Congo to spread Christianity.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, his eyebrows wag, and I wish I’d used a different word.
“Missionary, did you say? Not my favorite position, but okay.”
I fight the urge to roll my eyes. The girl next to me is talking aboutThe Goldfinch, and I wish she were my partnerinstead.
Jason seems oblivious to my annoyance, and he gives me a grin. “So, tell me about this book.”
“No, thank you.” I bend my head over my notebook and doodle a flower on the cover.
His grin fades. “Seriously? I was only kidding. I’m sorry.”
He sounds sincere, and I glance up at him skeptically.
“I mean it,” he urges. “I really want to hear about the book.”
I spot Ms. Maddox heading in our direction as she circles the room checking in on the groups.
“Fine.” I give him a summary of the story, and the more I talk about it, the more I remember how much I loved it. I probably go on a bit too long, but when I’m done, his eyes don’t seem to have glazed over.
He leans in, his gaze trained on my face, and he even asks a few questions about the characters. “It sounds really good,” he says. “The way you talk about it, it makes me want to read it.”
“Really?” I’m still skeptical.
“Maybe you could lend it to me?” His smile seems genuine instead of smarmy, and I wonder if I’ve misjudged him. Maybe he’s not such a bad guy. Ms. Maddox calls for the class’s attention, and I focus on her instructions for the first assignment. When the bell rings, I pack up my things and head for my next class.
“Hey, Madeline.” I turn around to find Jason jogging to catch up to me.
“I know you’re new here,” he says. “Do you have anyone to sit with at lunch?”
My heart flips at the thought of seeing Adam again. “Oh… I do, actually. I met someone earlier today who invited me to sit with him.”
“Come on. Ditch whoever it is and sit with me.”
I bite my lip. “I really shouldn’t. I told him I’d be there.”
“Okay.” His jaw twitches. “Well, see you tomorrow.”
Is he annoyed that I turned him down? But why would hebe? We barely even know each other. I’m sure he doesn’t care. Again, I find myself wishing I had a friend who I could talk to about everything that happened this morning. I glance at my schedule. Maybe I’ll meet someone in my next class, which is…Ugh. In the gym.I don’t even know how to find the gym.
“Jason?” I call to his retreating back. “Could you help me find my next class?”
But Jason must not hear me because he keeps walking away.
TWO
TEN YEARS AGO
Adam
I watch Madeline freeze at the entrance to the cafeteria, and my heart gives an unfamiliar kick in my sternum. Her reddish-blond hair falls in waves over one shoulder as her head turns, her green eyes scanning the crowd. As my morning classes dragged on, I tried to convince myself that she’s not the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen, the sun was in my eyes, and I was in shock over almost being mowed down by her car. But she’s been standing in that damn doorway for less than two seconds, and I know I’m completely screwed.
