October Breezes by Maria Rachel Hooley

“You’ve been crying, and I want to know what’s up. Why did you come here? Is it Kelin?” A dangerous fury glinted in his eyes.
    I stiffened and laughed causticaly. “No, it’s not Kelin.
    He’s not the root of all evil.” My gaze drifted back to Bethany.
    “And it doesn’t matter." I grabbed his hand to move it, wishing I could lean against him but knowing it wasn't possible; I let it go.
    “What's going on?” He tapped his foot in frustration.
    “Nothing.” I pointed to where Bethany sat. “I’m not going to hold you up.” I shoved my hands into my pockets, not only because they were cold, but more importantly, I didn’t want him to see me shaking. He’d know it had nothing to do with the temperature.
    “I have to get Bethany home," he agreed reluctantly. She has to babysit her sister.” He puled out his keys. “You want a ride home? We could talk on the way. Besides, you’re shaking like crazy.”
    Only where no coat or heater could ever warm, I thought. I shook my head. “No, thanks. It’s not far, and I can walk.” I turned away.
    “Are you al right?” Devin’s voice, so quiet, so calm, belied his concern. "I'm worried about you."
    I laughed, feigning indifference. “I’l be fine, and you don’t need me bugging you.”
    “You’re not—“
    “I’l see you around,” I said, knowing I wouldn’t. The last thing I ever wanted was to be to anyone's burden. I started walking and tried not to think. The snowflakes had grown to quarter-size as they fel faster and faster, colecting in the grass. White peaked from the dead stubble covering the ground.
    I arrived home to an empty house, stil thinking of Devin and Bethany. He had said they weren’t dating, but I knew better.
    An ache cut deeply as I imagined them together in my mind, Devin's darker complexion complementing her fair skin as he walked her to the door. Then she would turn toward him. Their eyes would meet.
    Devin would slip his arm around her and slowly duck his head until his lips could meet hers. They would kiss.
    I forced my eyes open, trying to drive away the image. I thought about caling Kelin, but I knew that I could never explain this—you had to be there. Devin had been. Devin had always been there.
    Until now.

Chapter Ten
    I hid in my bedroom, ignoring the ringing telephone, guessing Devin or Kelin was caling. I didn't want to talk to either of them. Instead, I preferred the book Warren had given me to being around another person, and, after lying in bed with a quiet house to myself, I finished the novel. Saddened, I wished for a father like Atticus Finch. I didn't want someone perfect, just somebody who could make everything seem al right even if it wasn’t—or at least make it better.
    Why had Warren given me this book? I was nothing like Scout and he was far from being Atticus Finch. So why? I closed my eyes, and despite the harsh fluorescent lighting, I drifted to sleep, my hands stil clutching the novel.

    “Skye?” A faraway voice caled, and I tried to fight the sleep fogging my brain. “Wake up, Skye.”
    My eyelids fluttered open. Mom leaned over me, a worried frown wrinkling her face. She perched next to me.
    I brushed my hand across my face, realizing that I stil probably had the raccoon smudges around my eyes. “Oh, hi, Mom.” I tried to check the time, but the clock faced the other way.
    “What time is it?”
    Glancing at her watch, she replied, “Almost six.” She plucked fuzz from the comforter. “I thought you’d be gone until late. Your father said he was taking you to dinner. Did you eat?”
    "Yeah, I ate," I said, wondering which food group popcorn fit into.
    "Skye," Mom warned. "Did you eat dinner?"
    "No, I didn't. We had a change in plans,” I said, sitting up .
    To Kill A Mockingbird fel into her lap.
    “How’s your book?” she asked, picking it up and reading the back cover.
    “Good.” I looked at my reflection. My hair appeared wild, as though I hadn’t brushed it, and dark