Dark and Twisted by Heidi Acosta Read Free Book Online Page B

Jumping up, he plants a kiss on the top of her head and goes to join in the fun.
    Liv stares after him as he jogs down the aisle. I watch, too, but not Jamie. I watch Derrick and Brett, who’re watching him wit h desperate looks. I can see the hunger that is never satisfied, no matter how many people they step on with their never-ending climb to a top they’ll never reach. I wonder if Jamie, or one of the other popular kids, told them that they’ll never be accepted. No matter what they did, it wouldn’t change how they treated people.
    “That’s it, I’m breaking up with him. I don’t have a choice.” Liv’s bottom lip quivers.
    “No, you’re not.”
    She takes my hand in hers. Her fingers are ice cold, I start to rub each one like my mom used to do for me when I was little and would come in from a day of playing in the snow.
    “You’re my best friend, Eden. He doesn’t know anything about you or your family. How could he say those things? Bad blood! You are not your aunt. You’re nothing like her.” Her voice cracks on every other word.
    “He didn’t mean to be cruel, Liv. It’s just the truth.”
    “That doesn’t make it okay to say it. You shouldn’t have to be punished for Essie. I wish your grandmother had taken you in when your mom and dad—” She gazes at our hands, that are intertwined like when we were little.
    “But she didn’t,” I state, cutting her off, “and I’m happy for that. She made my dad and Essie’s life miserable growing up. I wouldn’t choose any different if I could. If I’m not accepted by a group of people because my aunt is mentally ill, then I don’t want to be a part of that narrow-minded world. I’m happy just the way things are.”
    Liv pulls her hands free and wraps her bony arms around my neck. “Maybe I don’t want to be a part of it, either,” she murmurs, squeezing me.
    “No, don’t say that.” I think about how truly lonely it can be, and I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy—if I had enemies. I certainly wouldn’t wish it on my friend. I have my books and my characters, and I can create worlds to escape to. For Liv this is her life, being the best at high school is all she has. No, I cannot take that away from her.
    “Look, don’t worry about it.” I squeeze her back and look over at Jaxson, who is watching me. I shiver and Liv pulls me closer.

Chapter Five
    I try to slip into English undetected, but I have bad luck on my side today.
    “Miss Day, my desk. Now.” Mr. Wissian pokes his desk with a long, boney finger.
    “Why hello, Mr. Wissian. I didn’t see you sitting there. That is a lovely sweater you have on today.” It’s the ugliest sweater I have ever seen. It looks like it was knitted out of cat fur. Where in a teacher’s contract does it say one must try to find the ugliest sweater ever knitted and wear it proudly?
    “Flattery will not get you far with me. Did you complete the paper?” He looks at me through smudged glasses.
    “Well, you see—”
    He holds up his hand, cutting off my excuse. “Save it for your next class, which I’m sure you are teetering on failing as well.”
    I wrinkle my nose at him because he is right.
    “That essay might be the most important paper you’ll ever write in your life.”
    Talk about being a drama king.
    “I will give you until next Friday to turn it in. Now go take your seat.”
    I shuffle to my desk and take a seat. Thankfully, Buck is not here to torment me.
    A shadow passes over my desk, and I glance up to see Cardelian standing in front me, looking absolutely perfect.
    He runs his hand through his golden hair, rumpling it more than it already is. A tight white shirt shows off each muscle, making me sit up a little straighter and stare at him.
    “Tough break with Mr. Wissian. I can help you write that paper if you like.”
    He smiles down at me, and I fight the urge to pinch myself because I must be dreaming. Cute boys don’t talk to girls like me, yet here he is. He can’t