Journal of the Undead (Book 1): Littleville Uprising by S.G. Lee Page A

determine whether she was dreaming or if he was really sitting on the edge of her bed.
    “I thought you were coming with us to the park today?”
    “Oh my God! What time is it?”
    “Time for you to wake up. I’ll wait for you downstairs.”
    ***
    Impressed that Evan was still in one piece, Matt offered him some breakfast. Within fifteen minutes, Emma was showered, dressed, and headed downstairs. Unlike most girls, she didn’t need three hours to get ready. Emma snatched a couple of strips of bacon from Matt’s plate and poured herself a glass of juice.
    With a scowl, Matt protectively picked up his plate and left the kitchen.
    “Leave my food alone. Make your own if you want some, brat.”
    Emma’s sly smiles made Evan suspect that it was all part of her plan to encourage Matt’s departure. Taking full advantage of their privacy, Evan’s lips were pressed against hers as he pulled her closer.
    “Good morning, beautiful.”
    While Emma munched her stolen bacon, Evan leafed through the newspaper left on the kitchen table. Scattered between the usual doom and gloom, two curious headlines caught his eye. The first described a recent outbreak of viral infections claimed to be the cause of death for nearby high school students.
    “This school,” Evan pointed at the headline, “they’re the team that didn’t show up for Matt’s football game, right?”
    Emma shrugged and poured herself more juice. The article stated that the virus caused violent outbursts that made the infected teens attack family members and medical professionals. The reporter suggested that it could be a resistant strain of the swine flu. The second story was about missing campers near Green Lane Reservoir. A search party had been organized, but instead of finding the lost victims the volunteers never returned. In Evan’s mind, red flags waved frantically and his eyes narrowed suspiciously as he made a mental note to speak with Matt later about the article; he realized it was time to start preparing. Matt needs to read Uncle George’s book , Evan decided. I’m going to need someone else in my corner when the shit hits the fan! He folded up the newspaper and set it aside. Emma was waiting … and not very patiently. Evan’s concern was placed on hold so he could focus his full attention on Emma. The couple shouted goodbye to Matt before heading out to the car. Again, he opened the car door for her and she blushed.
    “So, how come you’re up so early?”
    “Early? It’s nearly noon, Em. I’ve been up since seven.”
    “Seven A.M. on the weekend? Ugh, why?”
    “We go to the eight o’clock service every Sunday so I have to be up by seven. Besides, my dad would never let me sleep the day away like you do.”
    “Seriously? You really go to church every Sunday? That’s so sweet.”
    There wasn’t even a hint of Emma’s trademark sarcasm but Evan still rolled his eyes at the audacity of being called ‘sweet.’ His annoyance faded when she rested her head on his shoulder and snuggled closer as Evan drove. What a difference a day makes, Evan thought as his smile broadened.
    Rainclouds cancelled their plans of taking Lucy to the park; instead, the new couple popped in a movie and snuggled together on the sofa. As part of Evan’s plan to have Emma all to himself, he selected a movie that he knew Lucy would hate. Eventually, his younger sister’s boredom outweighed the novelty of having a guest and she went off in search of her own entertainment.
    Pleased that his plan worked, Evan’s lips gently brushed Emma’s cheek. Forgetting all about the movie, her lips met his, tenderly at first then growing in desire. She sighed as Evan’s mouth traced the contours of her neck. Interlocking her fingers in his hair, Emma pulled his mouth back to hers.
    Encouraged by her passionate response, Evan pressed his body against hers until she was lying back with her head on the armrest. Clinging tightly to his muscular body, Emma felt shivers up and down