Rival Love by Natalie Decker Read Free Book Online

straight through a wall.
    “This is hard for us too you know.”
    I snort in disgust. “It sounds like it’s been so effing difficult for you two. Monday, you get to be in a familiar place, sit with our group, and then Mikia will want to stalk JJ, while you are arm in arm with Mark. You two won’t be losing friends, or getting jumped on Monday! Your perfect lives will be intact while mine basically falls apart.” This shouldn’t be happening to me. I’m not one of those stuck-up, I only talk to people who are just like me kind of girls. I say hi to everyone, even the nerds. My popularity isn’t a priority. People like Amy Doyle should be punished for being a super bitch to everyone. But me? I don’t deserve this. “Sam…if our friendship means anything to you, don’t do this. I’ve got nothing here but a death wish. I’ve had your back ever since Brownies!”
    I hear her exhale into the receiver. “You’re like my sister, but let’s face it, we can’t hang out.” Sam stops talking and Mikia starts speaking. “You’re not the neutral party in all of this. Shit Sky, if anything, you’re a threat to us now. You know us. Our weaknesses. We can’t just keep hanging out with you if you’re attending that school tomorrow.”
    “What am I supposed to do, run away? I can’t believe you don’t trust me anymore.”
    “We’ve gotta go. Oh, and Sky?”
    “What?” I huff.
    “Be careful.”

Chapter 10
     
    Caleb
     
    Stumbling into the kitchen, I eye the refrigerator. “Went to market, and then off to some other places. Need you kids to do these things. Thanks!” I read the list and snort, “The hell with this!” I grab an orange juice and some frozen breakfast meal with Skylar’s name on it. Ha! She thought this would stop me from eating her stuff? Sad kid.
    Making my way to the microwave, I pop in the frozen meal and heat it up. Besides the microwave buzzing, the house is too quiet for my taste. Heading to the living room, I glance out the window. Skylar’s car is still here, so why’s it so quiet?
    I rush back upstairs and pound on her door. “Rise and shine, dog. We’ve got a list of chores to do.”
    “Whatever! I’ll do them later.”
    “Nooooo! We’re going to do them now. I’ve got other shit to do today.”
    She opens up her door and glares at me. “I don’t care about your effing plans. I’ll do my chores when I feel like it, so step off!” She tries to slam the door in my face but I nudge my foot between the door and the doorframe. “Move. Your. Foot,” she growls.
    I shake my head. “Nah. I think it’s good right here.”
    “Please. Leave me alone.”
    “No can do, Fletch. Erin gave us a list, and she seems to want it done before they get back. So come on. Let’s just get the list over with and you can come back up here in your Batcave and pout, or whatever it is you do.”
    She folds her arms. “I don’t pout.” Pushing past me, she heads down the stairs. Her nose lifts a little and then her eyes grow wide. “Is that…?”
    Stifling back a laugh, I hurry down the steps and try beating her to the kitchen, but she’s already there. Her hand reaches and opens the microwave, but I slam it shut and smile at her. “Move!”
    “That’s not very ladylike of you, Fletch.”
    She folds her hands over her chest and scowls. “Stop doing that!”
    “Doing what exactly? That’s a vague command.”
    Her face turns a few shades of red and her eyebrows furrow. She shoots her arms above her head and screams. “You’re the most annoying person I have ever encountered. Do you ever just stop being a total ass, or are you always like this?”
    I shrug and pop open the microwave. Pulling out the breakfast meal, the scent of sizzling bacon clouds most of my thoughts but I answer her. “I can be nice, but that’s for losers.”
    “Can’t believe you think you’re going to eat my breakfast in front of me.” This feels like a challenge. I’m not one to turn away from a good