Summer's Desire by Olivia Lynde Read Free Book Online Page B

R.-High have
always lived in this area. We all know each other. So trust me, new faces
really stick out." Drat! That's not good.
    "Plus, you're gorgeous," she
adds casually. Then, giving me a swift, all-encompassing look and biting her
lip: "Though your taste in clothes could kinda use some improvement."
    We've reached the hallway by now, and on
hearing her blunt candor, I can't help myself: I start to laugh. Which is
unfortunate, as several passing boys turn their heads to stare at me.
    I quickly tug Marcie away and tease,
"So you don't like my style? Why ever not?"
    She smiles brightly again. "My best
friend Dana and I can help you out with that, no problem." Throwing a
quick glance at the schedule I'm holding in my hand, she says, "Hey,
you're in Lunch C too! Neat. You should come sit with me and my friends."
    I open my mouth to refuse but she speaks
before I can. "Oh crapety, look at the time! If we don't hurry, we'll so
get a tardy slip. Know where to go for your next class?"
    I nod, though I have no idea.
    "Okay, see you at lunch!" She's
already moving away with the flow of students.
    I head in the opposite direction and arrive
late for French. Fortunately, the teacher takes mercy on me on account of my
being a new student and lets me off without a tardy slip.
     
    * * *
     
    It's finally lunchtime and I'm walking
on shaky legs in the direction of the cafeteria. Normally, I wouldn't be caught
dead in that crazy hub of student activity; I'd just spend my lunch period
hiding out in isolated spots where I'd be sure to be left alone. Today however,
I don't have a choice.
    To my mingled relief and frustration, I
have yet to catch a single glimpse of Seth even though after each bell, heading
for my various classes, I observed the student traffic with avid eyes. I know
I'll pay for not sticking to my usual routine of keeping my gaze on the floor
to avoid eye contact with other people—I've definitely attracted more than a
few curious glances—but right now I really can't bring myself to care about
this.
    I enter the cafeteria, careful this time
to keep my head lowered, and discreetly look around. I spot Marcie sitting at a
table just a few steps to my left and approach her hesitatingly; I'm still not
sure this is a good idea. She sees me before I reach the table and smiles her
wide, friendly smile. How alien it is to me, this constant cheerfulness shining
so brightly on her face!
    "Hey Summer, so glad you could make
it!" She sounds genuinely excited at seeing me. Then she introduces the three
other people at her table. "These are my friends Dana and Robbie, and
Will, my boyfriend. We're all Juniors. Everyone, this is Summer, also a Junior.
She'll join us for lunch. Summer, sit down already!"
    Muttering an awkward, "Hello,
everyone", I sit down next to Marcie, with my back half-turned to the cafeteria's
entrance. Marcie's friends all mumble hellos as well and proceed to study me with
open curiosity. I do the same to them.
    Dana is a very attractive girl. She has
strong, exotic features, though maybe just a bit too irregular for true beauty,
and thick red hair. She's a real knockout and the complete opposite of Marcie in
physical appearance; I hope she's not too stuck-up to be a good friend to her.
    Marcie's boyfriend, Will, is a lanky boy
with messy blond hair and a lively expression. His sharp eyes seem to miss
little, if anything.
    Finally, Robbie is a smallish guy
sporting an even worse dress style than I do currently. I meet his gaze, and he
instantly blushes and looks away. He must be the shy type.
    Dana seems to have finished analyzing me.
"So, Summer, what brings you to our wild, exciting mega-city?" She
grins at her irony.
    I keep my face noncommittal. "I'm in
foster care, and my current placement is in Rockford, with the Andersons."
    The girls both groan.
    "The Andersons? So you're sharing
the same roof with Jessica Anderson?" Dana asks with wide eyes.
"Girl, I pity you!"
    My lips twitch in reluctant amusement.
"I