The Bad Wolf by Michelle Clay Read Free Book Online

blur. Chloe kept her head down and avoided as much grief and ridicule as she could. She tried her best to stay positive. Life certainly wouldn’t get any better if she submerged herself in self-pity and the loathing of everyone who upset her. Of course, that was easier said than done.
    Travis and the others tried to rile her and Jenna when they’d walked by at lunch. When their name calling and taunts hadn’t worked, they’d turned th eir attention to another nearby table.
    After Chloe searched the lunchroom's faces for what seemed the hundredth time, Jenna said, “He wasn’t hungry. He’s listening to music in his car.”
    It was downright embarrassing that Jenna had figured it out so easily. Surely he and Jenna weren’t dating, because it was Amy who always hung all over him. If Jenna minded, she didn’t give any indication. Ryan drove Jenna to and from school everyday. They also sat together at lunch all last week. Chloe imagined their relationship must be very complicated.
    “I can’t picture him and Amy ever dating,” she blurted out when she remembered Jenna’s confession. “She’s so evil.”
    Jenna cocked an eyebrow then glanced over her shoulder. “ I used to have a crush on Josh. He used to be a nice guy. We even played together as kids.”
    Chloe wrinkled her nose. Josh was okay, but his crude demeanor and willingness to do whatever Travis said made him ugly in her eyes. Jenna waited a moment for her to digest this information then said, “I went on a date with him last summer, but it didn’t go so well. Ryan broke his arm.”
    Chloe choked on her chocolate milk. “What happened?”
    Jenna lowered her voice in a solemn whisper. “He put his hand up my skirt. Oh, and he told his buddies that he slept with me.”
    Finally the bell rang and the cafeteria began to clear out. Chloe gathered her things and heade d off for her last few classes.
    “See you later!” Jenna called as they left the building and went separate ways.
    Art class was probably the best part of the day. The class continued to study the history of Venetian masks and hers was almost done. It was a pretty thing with lots of red and gold seed beads. She was immensely protective of it, as she expected the others to destroy it. But that wasn’t the best part.
    Ms. Adams moved her to Ryan’s table! She’d given no explanation, just told Chloe to move over there. Physically she sat closer to Gary and Allan because Ryan occupied the entire opposite end of the table. He possessed a menacing presence that she couldn’t get around. It was kind of scary really and just in case he snapped, she didn’t want to be in the line of fire.
    Even though it meant sitting with Allen and Gary who giggled like third graders at their first boy/girl party, it was worth it. Not only did she get away from the mean kids, but she didn’t have to endure Travis’s hands on her. When she sat at that table, he constantly grabbed at her and tugged her hair. Yesterday he’d even pinched her butt. Amy and Kelly were absolutely evil with their catty remarks. They attacked everything from her hair to the clothes she wore. Nothing she did seemed to win a nod of approval. Maybe she was just trying too hard.
    Just sitting near Ryan counted for something. For whatever reason, no one messed with her. Even Travis and Amy, who were the meanest, tended to stay at their own table. Every now and then Travis would lean his chair back and flick beads at her.
    She cast another glance at Ryan and caught his eye. He scowled then dropped his gaze back to the mask in his hands.
    “I still have your shirt,” she whispered with a hesitant smile. “I’ll bring it tomorrow.”
    Josh waggled his eyebrows while Amy glared. Ryan’s jaw clenched. “Just give it to Jenna.”
    Chloe continued to watch Ryan out of the corner of her eye. He was bent over the mask he’d made, diligently going over the raised areas with a silver-leafing pen. She just couldn’t fathom why he was so