Damage
I would usually zone out during this part, but today I focus on the rich, female voice promising that “the work of today will be the hope of tomorrow,” and that “donations to North Corp are appreciated and go toward building a better, healthier future for all people, regardless of race, color, or creed.”
    Anything to get my mind off the fact that Jesse is shoved into the phone booth with me, his chest only inches from my face. His eyes scan the area outside for trouble. His lips press tight together, as if he’s trying to banish the memory of my kiss with pure pressure.
    Kiss . I had my first kiss, and it was … amazing. Better than I ever imagined. It revolutionized my entire view of boy-girl relations. If that’s what kissing feels like, no wonder Mina likes to do it so much.
    Mina, my best friend who is dead, who won’t kiss anyone ever again. The truth keeps coming back to knock me off my feet when I least expect it. How dare I be moping about the fact that Jesse wasn’t affected by our kiss the same way I was? Mina is dead , crazy things are happening to my and Jesse’s bodies, invisible creatures are trying to kill us, and I would swear I saw a flash of dark hair dart behind a tree in Jesse’s backyard before I slid off the van …
    I hold the droning receiver farther from my face. It always takes forever to transfer calls at North Corp. “I think Rachel was there. At your house.”
    “What? Where?”
    “In your yard. I think she moved that saw so I’d cut myself. It’s not as dramatic as the tree or the bottles, but that’s the kind of thing she used to do when I was younger.”
    “Okay … ” Jesse chews his lip. I turn to stare out the dirty glass, determined not to think about the way his lips felt on mine. “So you think she’s getting weaker than she was this morning? Maybe she’s used up her juice for today?”
    “I don’t know. Maybe. Or maybe she just thought something sneaky would be more effective.” I sigh and tap my foot on the metal floor. “Or maybe I’m just imagining things, and she wasn’t even there.”
    Jesse laughs beneath his breath. “Right. But it is kind of strange that we were at my house for over a half hour and neither of the things attacked.”
    He’s right, but is it significant? “Maybe,” I say. “And maybe not. Maybe they’re both just tired.” Does Rachel get tired? It used to seem like she did, but now the rules have all changed. There are so many things we don’t know, things that are going to get us killed if we don’t figure them out soon.
    I clench the phone tighter, willing my dad to pick up on the other line.
    “Or maybe they wanted us to stay there for some reason,” Jesse says. “Maybe making out is bad for our health.”
    It’s a joke, but I can tell he wishes he hadn’t made it. Our eyes meet and the discomfort level in the phone booth shoots to amazing new highs. His lips part, as if he’s trying to think of something comforting to say. Thankfully, my dad’s voicemail picks up first. I don’t want Jesse’s comfort. I want him to like me the way I like him. Or at least not crack jokes that make me feel like a fool for letting my guard down.
    “Hey Dad.” I aim for an upbeat tone, but not too upbeat. “I know you’re probably worried, but I’m okay. I’m with a friend and we’re … okay. I just need to talk to you about something weird that’s going on. A medical kind of weird. I’ll try to call you again soon. If you could pick up when I do, that would be great.”
    “You’d think he’d be sitting by the phone.” Jesse watches me hang up the receiver and wipe my hand on my borrowed jeans. “Doesn’t he have a cell you could try?”
    “He has one, but I don’t have the number,” I say, embarrassed. “It’s just for work emergencies. The company pays for it.”
    “What about family emergencies?” Jesse asks.
    I lift one shoulder. “He doesn’t like being tied to technology. Even for me and Penny.” I

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