"Jesse Harris - The Power - Aidan's FateUC" - читать интересную книгу автора (Harris Jesse)

If anyone wins, I hope it's Kevin, Aidan thought. Somehow he looks like he could use a break.

"Anyway, the article is right here," Aidan told the group, "so you'll all remember." He pushpinned the clipping to the bulletin board. "The festival's not till the end of this month. You have plenty of time to practice your photography before then."

He ran a hand through his already tousled sandy hair. "Any questions?"

"How could I photograph my toy submarine and make it look like it's really real?" asked a seven-year-old boy.

"Uh, good question," Aidan said. "But you know what? I'm going to have to answer that

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at our next meeting, because"—he glanced at the clock—"time's up."

The group laughed. "You're just trying to get out of it," the little boy teased.

Aidan smiled. "Maybe I am," he admitted. "But that's really all we have time for today. Remember to leave your practice rolls in the bin so I can develop them, and I'll see you on Wednesday."

Ten minutes later he had finished straightening up. He locked up the darkroom, flicked the lights, and, tossing on his blue down vest, headed for the front door.

Outside, on the icy steps of the center, sat Kevin. He looked up as Aidan came out. He had tied the hood of his sweatshirt very tightly. His hands were stuffed into the front pocket. His lips looked blue.

"Kevin!" said Aidan. "What's the matter? You need a lift?"

The boy shook his head.

Aidan frowned. "C'mon. Let me take you home."

"I gotta wait," the boy mumbled.

The sound of a car with a noisy transmission turned both their heads to the street. A small, seedy-looking yellow Lion swerved to a stop across from the center. Kevin got to his feet.

"Thanks anyway for the offer! See ya!" he yelled as he ran.

Who's that? Aidan wondered as Kevin hopped into the passenger seat. Whoever it was, Aidan hoped Kevin would be okay riding with him. The car didn't exactly look safe.

Aidan shook his head. Somehow the dilapidated state of the car didn't surprise him. The boy had an air of sadness about him, as if he had already experienced plenty of bad things. The yellow car peeled out with a spray of gravel.

That night it began to sleet and the temperature dropped ten degrees. The roads turned to solid ice. Still, Aidan insisted that he and McKenzie go ahead with their planned date, dancing at a local eighteen-and-under disco, The China Club. They went with McKenzie's best friend, Lilith Caine—nicknamed Lilicat—and her blind date, Kirk Davies.

Kirk was a cousin of a friend of Aidan's friend Boz. Neither McKenzie nor Aidan had met him before. "What do you think of him?" Aidan yelled in McKenzie's ear, trying to be heard over the music's booming beat.

McKenzie looked across the dance floor. Kirk was dancing close to Lilicat, looking down into her eyes. He was very good looking, with long

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blond hair, sharp features, and a strong jaw. "He's okay!" she yelled back.