Spell Struck by Ariella Moon Read Free Book Online Page A

Art. Goddesses." She honed in on Aidan. "Did you take a class in mythology?"
    "No." A wounded look flashed in Aidan's eyes before he managed to mask it. "My mother taught me."
    Evie pressed her foot against mine, and I knew she was thinking the same thing I was — he's perfect.
    The bell sounded, marking the end of lunch. Aidan downed the last spring roll in two bites then carefully packed up the orange and the empty food containers.
    "Math," Evie wailed.
    "Be brave." It was her worst subject. At least Aidan had distracted her so she hadn't had time to get too anxious.
    "Aidan?" The tenth-grade class president oozed up to Aidan and snaked her arm through his. She reminded me of Amy — pretty, confident, popular. My lunch soured in my stomach.
    "Did you forget? I promised to escort you to Biology. You should have sat with me!"
    "Sorry. I ran into my friends. " He threw me an apologetic look. "I met Meadow in third period."
    Meadow pursed her lips into a pout. "We only have two classes together."
    "Quod a misericordia," I muttered. Yeah. A real pity.
    Aidan chuckled. "Absolute."
    A hurt and confused expression passed over Meadow's face and she loosened her grip on Aidan. She may not have understood our Latin, but she knew a diss when she heard one. Guilt and relief warred within me. I retreated, just like I had with the Shakespeare scripts. Hoisting my twenty-three-pound backpack over my shoulder, I squeezed a pleasant tone into my voice. "Have fun, you two."
    Meadow's expression brightened. "Thanks. Cute scarf."
    "Thanks." I could tell she meant it. No wonder everyone liked her.
    "See you in Art," Aidan said.
    I waved him off, outgunned and defeated.
    When they were out of earshot, Evie grabbed my arm. "Don't worry about Meadow. Aidan is totally into you."
    "Yeah, because I'm such a catch compared to Miss Popularity."
    "Yes, you are." She jerked my arm. "Take a closer look. What do you see?"
    A guy who looks as gorgeous from the back as he does from the front.
    "Check their body language," Evie insisted.
    I watched them cross the cafeteria. Every few steps, Meadow tried to pull Aidan closer. Aidan kept easing away. When they neared the double doors, he glanced over his shoulder, searching until he found me. Our gazes locked. Aidan winked, then disappeared across the threshold, towed by Meadow.
    Evie squeezed my arm. "Told you so."
    An ember of hope fanned to life within me. "We'll see."
    ****
    Thoughts of Aidan tumbled through my mind, making it difficult to concentrate on World History and Geography. Does he have a girlfriend? How does he know Latin? Does he like Meadow? Everyone likes Meadow…
    After the bell, I headed for Drama. The wind had picked up. The chill stung my cheeks, and I wondered if they were as red as everyone else's. I plastered an aloof, slightly hostile expression on my face as my gaze darted from clutches of cheerleaders and jocks to trios of nerds and random others. No sign of Aidan. Maybe Meadow had kidnapped him.
    I had almost reached the auditorium when I sensed a warm presence behind me.
    "Saluteum, fairy puella." Aidan maneuvered to my side. The top of my head might graze his shoulder if we were face-to-face and close enough to hug. Which, of course, we would never…
    "Do I look like a fairy girl to you?"
    "Absolute."
    "Then, good sir, I have failed in my mission."
    "Utterly. Sorry. The whole Goth Girl look is a good glamour, though. You had me fooled at first."
    Goose bumps tiptoed down my neck. "What makes you think it's a glamour?"
    Aidan glanced about, then leaned down and whispered, "Your energy field."
    Are you serious? I flipped through my mental arsenal of snarky comebacks. Nothing surfaced. Realizing I was gaping like a fish in an animated movie, I closed my mouth. Aidan held open the auditorium door, then followed me inside.
    "Do you have Drama, or are you stalking me?"
    "Both."
    The prospect buzzed my brain. "How'd Bio go with Meadow?"
    "The teacher was psycho. Otherwise, easy