Popularity Takeover by Melissa de La Cruz Read Free Book Online

drop out of school.”
    After this sobering warning, they all filed out of the library in silence, Lauren bringing up the rear.
    Unlike A. A., Lauren knew full well that Ashley wasn’t joking. She wasn’t sure how she was going to do it, but she just had to infiltrate the S. Society and find out what they had planned. Otherwise she would be out—out of the Ashleys entirely. So much for all her grand plans this semester.

6
    IT’S ALL FUN AND GAMES UNTIL SOMEONE LOSES HER HEART
    A. A. WISHED SHE COULD BE all hardworking like Lili, but when school was over, the last thing she felt like doing was more work. She needed to unwind, especially with all this fuss about Congé and the annoying S. Society.
    And she needed to hang out with Tri.
    Now that they were friends again, A. A. and Tri had made a pact the week after Ashley’s party: They were going to give video games a rest for a while and catch up on the fun stuff they used to do.
    â€œFun stuff,” A. A. knew, was code for “kid stuff,” and that was fine with her. Some days she was in no hurry to grow up. In fact, she kind of missed the days when shecould just play games and ride bikes with Tri and not . . . well, not feel anything.
    Feeling things made everything in life more compli­cated, she decided. Having a boyfriend just wasn’t her thing right now, obviously. Let Ashley gush about Cooper, and Lili moan about Max, and Lauren go all dreamy eyed every time Christian’s name came up. Who cared? She and Tri were friends, nothing more, nothing less—and that was exactly the way she wanted it.
    They met up outside the Fairmont Hotel, where they both lived, A. A. pushing her Raleigh bike, zipping up her nylon jacket to keep the wind out. Tri was messing around in the valet parking area, doing wheelies on his neon green BMX like a pro. A. A. climbed onto her bike and fastened the silver helmet her half brother Ned had given her for her birthday.
    â€œAbout time!” he shouted, ramming on his own helmet. “It’s freezing out. Let’s get going.” His smile lit up his whole face, and his cheeks were red from the cold.
    A. A. thought he looked cuter than ever, with his dark hair falling into his eyes, even though she told herself she wasn’t noticing those kinds of things anymore. “Race you down Nob Hill!” she called, whizzing out into the street ahead of him.
    They raced down the hill toward Chinatown, dodging cable cars and pedestrians, turning back for a marathon uphill battle. Sometimes A. A. was way ahead; sometimes Tri was.
    Even though it was a cold day, it was sunny and bright. Before too long, A. A. was feeling hot and tired—but in a good way, the way she felt after a strenuous game of soccer, when she’d scored a couple of goals. Lauren was always talking about the amazing home gym her family had built, but this was A. A.’s idea of exercise—getting out in the fresh air and racing about until she was exhausted. This afternoon she felt happy for the first time in ages. Hanging out with Tri was great. Friendship was much less stressful than having a silly boyfriend.
    â€œNeed an afternoon nap?” Tri mocked her, waiting for her at the corner of Jackson and Presidio. His bright blue eyes were twinkling. “Ready to admit defeat?”
    â€œAs if!” A. A. gasped. She set both feet on the ground, trying to get her breath back. She needed to play for time. “My helmet’s come loose. I have to fix it.”
    â€œThat old line.” Tri rolled his eyes, although he looked pretty worn out himself. A. A. pulled off her helmet and adjusted her two pigtails, bundling themtogether so they didn’t fly into her face when she was riding.
    â€œA. A.! Tri!” Ashley appeared at the door of a boutique, waving frantically at them. “What are you guys doing here?”
    â€œWhat does it look like?”