A Demon Made Me Do It by Penelope King Read Free Book Online Page A

being blackmailed. And Carrie Stevens said…”
    “ Corinne, stop. His uncle
works at the mines. He just came out here to live with him. Ya’ll
are going bananas over nothing, and I’m sort of embarrassed to be
your friend right now,” I say, only half-joking.
    “ Ugh, look at Druslutta
acting like she already owns him. I mean, three nights ago she was
making out with Cade Johnston at the Curley Q…wait, what ? How do you know
that? Are you holding out on me?” She grabs my arm.
    “ Ow, that’s attached, you
know.”
    I feel Kieron’s eyes on me as we pass
by, but will myself not to look. The last thing I’m going to do is
join his swarm of admirers like some pathetic groupie.
    “ ...Oh, Manhattan is marvelous , all those
museums and plays and fabulous restaurants,” Drusilla coos as we
walk past. “I’d love for you to tell me all about your favorite
places…”
    Corinne snorts. “Oh, give me a break,”
she grumbles bitterly. “She went to New York once when we were in
eighth grade for an uncle’s funeral or something. Now suddenly
she’s all big-citified and cultured?”
    As I reach for the metal handle, Mr.
Sodenberg meets my gaze through the window of the door. His eyes
give a warning. Mine roll back in my head. He says nothing, so I
can only assume what Lucky said to poor Mr. Winters yesterday
somehow got relayed back to him. Corrine, with her poor eyesight,
sits in the front. I take my usual seat in the back, plopping my
bag on the empty chair beside me.
    I silently recite my
earlier vows to myself. I must forget about Kieron. Right now, my
number one priority is getting through the day without Her showing
up. That means absolutely no zoning out. I have to stay alert, focused. Tatiana
had told me over breakfast that she’d spoken with Lucky, but I
wasn’t satisfied that she wouldn’t just pop in again if it suited
her purposes. So I’d taken the extra precaution of wearing a
crucifix necklace; hopefully this will discourage her or ensure her
quick departure if she does decide to make a cameo.
    I open Inferno and practice translating the
words into French, a language I’m teaching myself. It’s the only
way it will hold my attention.
    When a body brushes past me, I look up
and am surprised to see Kieron smiling down at me. “Hi, again,” he
says softly.
    “ Hi.” My heart pounds
wildly, and I quickly return my gaze to Canto XXIV. But the words
become a blur as Kieron continues to hover.
    “ Do you mind if I sit
here?” he asks.
    I shrug noncommittally, still staring
at my book like it holds the answer to the meaning of life. “Suit
yourself.”
    He chuckles. “Is this your
bag?”
    “ Right, sorry.” I lean over
to snatch it up and place it on the other side of me. Kieron
gracefully maneuvers into the seat and smiles.
    “ Doing better
today?”
    “ Yes.” And I’m re-reading
the same sentence for the fifth time. My gaze lifts slightly to see
several students turned around in their seats, gawking at
us.
    “ I’m happy to hear that.
Sorry to interrupt you…is that a good book? I’ve never read
it.”
    “ It’s fascinating,” I
respond dryly.
    “ Maybe you wouldn’t mind
filling me in, help me get up to speed—” The rest of his question
is cut off as Mr. Sodenberg calls the class to order.
    If someone had offered me
ten million dollars to recall even one sentence Mr. Sodenberg uttered
during his entire lecture, I couldn’t do it. Even though I’m trying
with all my might to concentrate on what the teacher is saying,
it’s impossible with Kieron sitting less than two feet away. Fifty
minutes passes in a blur, and before I know it the bell is
ringing.
    “ What’s your next class?”
Kieron asks as we both stand up.
    “ History with
Jackson.”
    “ What a happy coincidence.
So’s mine. We can walk there together.” It’s more of a command than
a request. He’s so close behind me I can smell the musky scent of
his aftershave. We make our way to the door and I