Henchgirl (Dakota Kekoa Book 1) by Rita Stradling Read Free Book Online Page A

or anything, but, part of the reason I’m throwing a party is I want to get to know you outside of school.”
    Oh. My. Gods.
    Literally.
    Maybe I should just throw in the towel and join his horde of fan-girls who spend their days live-messaging about who he’s maybe dating, who he’s talking to, everything he says, and writing hashtags on everything #keanuisagod.
    Yeah, right.
    But his words did cause something inside me to stir so intensely that just to make it stop, I said, “That’s odd, that’s exactly what all the other girls told me you said to them.” I softened the verbal-jab with a smile.
    “No, they did not,” he said, returning my smile and stepping in closer. “And now I have your number so I can call you anytime I want: five in the morning, in the middle of class… lots of possibilities.”
    “Give me that.” I said, reaching out to grab his phone.
    He raised his phone out of my reach. “I don’t think so.”
    “What are you guys talking about?” a voice said directly behind me. It was a mark of how much Keanu was claiming all my attention that Auli surprised me by coming up from behind. Honestly, if I did not have my dampener on it would probably be painful to be this close to her; it only took one look to know that loathing shot out of her every pore all aimed directly at me.
    Completely oblivious to Auli’s hatred, Keanu said, “Hey Shorty. I was just talking to your friend here.”
    “Yeah, we’re just best friends,” she said, tonelessly.
    “Hey,” Keanu said, “I have an idea, Auli, Hunter and I are going out to Big Beach tonight, to watch the sunset and see if we can spot any dolphins. Do you want to come with us, Dakota?”
    Auli turned to me, her expression clearly said, ‘accept and die.’
    “I would love to.” Then I raised my eyebrows to Auli and said, “Do you want to put my address in your phone too, Keanu?”
    “I know where you live,” Auli said then swung her long silky black hair over her shoulder as she stalked back to our table.
    “Great,” Keanu said.
    I put my hand to my face and said, “Sorry, I just remembered, I have to ask Honua something. I’ll… I’ll see you later.”
    I rushed back to our table without waiting for a goodbye, but glanced over as I gathered up my backpack. Keanu was still standing there, his friends already gathering around, but he was looking at me, smiling.
    “Hello?” Mele said. “What just happened? Sit down and tell me now.”
    “Can’t, I have to run,” I shot over my shoulder. “I’ll tell you seventh period, I swear.”
    “You better!” She shouted as I walked as fast as I could without losing all dignity.
    I could not find Honua though, and I realized: I had no idea where she ate lunch, or who with. I roamed the halls for ten minutes until the lunch bell rang and scanned the crowds as people swarmed past into classrooms. And as the seconds ticked away, I realized the seriousness of the situation I was in, my cover could very well have been blown.
    If Honua found out about the Midnight Club from someone, anyone, at school, it would be huge news. If Auli even caught wind of the possibility, it would all be over. She would have her father force the school board to throw me out of school faster than rotten fruit, and with less care.
    As the second bell rang, when there were only a couple people left in the halls, I finally spotted Honua as she was completely across the courtyard. I shouted her name, and then mentally kicked myself for how stupid that was. By the time I crossed the grassy yard, she was in the class, out of my reach.
    I stood at an angle in the open door, just able to see her powering up her desk.
    Hesitating only a minute, I waved to get her attention, but her gaze was fixed on the screen and her hands flying across the touch screen. Screw it, getting detention for being late was the least of my worries, I jumped up and down waving.
    Not only did I get Honua’s attention, I had the attention of half