Masquerade of Lies by Wendy Hinbest Read Free Book Online Page A

Claire asked.
    I gave a languid nod of my head.
    “I heard her wrists were cut,” Jessica blurted. Claire shot her a stern look, and Jessica quickly looked away.
    “Yeah, it’s pretty messed up,” I said, then bit my bottom lip.
    “Well, whoever killed her did the world a favor...or should I be thanking you?” she said to me with a smug look on her face.
    “How could you say that?” I shot back.
    “Well, I dropped you off at her house last night, and now she’s dead. What would you think?”
    “I can’t talk about this anymore!” I shouted. I turned to leave when I remembered where I found my phone. “By the way, I think I left my phone in your car when you dropped me off at Brooke’s yesterday. Did you leave it in front of my door this morning?”
    “No, I didn’t,” Claire muttered while she fiddled with a loose thread on her top.
    Then who did?
    Suddenly, the first bell rang, warning students to make their way to class.
    “I’ll see you guys later,” I said.
    “Where are you going? We have class,” Claire said.
    “I have to use the bathroom.”
    “Okay, well, toodles,” she said before she whirled around.
    Her long streaked hair swayed back and forth as she strutted away. Katie and Jessica trailed behind her like baby chicks following their mother.
    I scurried through the hall and made a dash down the chemistry wing, where I spotted a bathroom by a row of orange lockers. I was about to go in the bathroom when Mark stopped me.
    “Hanna!”
    “Hey Mark.”
    “I heard what happened. That’s craaazy.” He touched the back of his head with his hand.
    “Tell me about it.” I had a dull pain in my chest.
    “Are you okay?” He gently touched my arm.
    “Why does everybody keep asking me if I’m okay? Would yo u be okay?”
    “I’m sorry, I-”
    “No, I’m sorry…I can’t do this right now…I gotta go.”
    I stormed into the bathroom. I checked the stalls to make sure nobody else was in the bathroom with me. Suddenly, the bathroom door whistled open and a group of giggling girls strolled in. As soon as they saw me, they stopped short and looked at each other before turning around and leaving. I felt nauseated. I ran to the sink and turned the cold water knob counter-clockwise, then leaned over the sink and tossed some cold water on my face. 
    ***
    That afternoon, we ate lunch in the quad. I picked at my French fries while Claire and Jessica nibbled on their fruits and yogurt. Katie didn’t eat anything.
    “Katie, aren’t you going to eat anything?” I asked as Claire and Katie exchanged a look.
    “No, I’m not hungry. Just thirsty,” she sing-songed as she lifted her water bottle.
    People were still whispering to one another and staring at me, but I tried to ignore them as we talked about the homecoming dance. Claire, Katie, and Jessica were members of the homecoming dance committee. The theme this year was winter wonderland. “Jessica, you ordered the arch, right?” Claire demanded.
    “Yeah.”
    “Katie, where do we stand on the winter snowflakes?”
    “Got ‘em.”
    “Well, since I’m in charge of entertainment, I asked my daddy to get Ariana Grande to perform.” 
    Claire simpered and flipped her brown and blonde locks over her shoulder. “Josh and I are obviously a shoe-in for homecoming king and queen. Those crowns are as good as ours. Besides, who else are they gonna vote for?” 
    Katie and Jessica didn’t dare say anything; they just smirked and agreed. I couldn’t think about the homecoming dance, as my mind was preoccupied with Brooke’s murder. Suddenly, my phone buzzed; it was Mark. Are you feeling better? I texted back: Yeah…thank s 
    “Who is that new girl?” asked Claire.
    “Mark Edwards.” I smiled.
    “Oooh, are you guys like dating?” teased Katie.
    “We’re just getting to know each other.”
    “Nice. He’s super hot!” Katie shrieked. Claire pursed her lips and leered at me.
    The school bell chimed, and everybody started packing up