The Bad Wolf by Michelle Clay Read Free Book Online Page A

angry with her. She’d done nothing to him.
    Ever since the glue incident, she’d learned that his one act of kindness didn’t mean he’d changed his mind about her. He was still snarly and rude in biology. He barely even looked at her. To be fair though, he treated everyone the same. Jenna seemed to be the one and only exception.
    Later at track practice, she spotted the pack lingering around the bleachers. Ryan was amongst them, a smile on his face. He and the pack must be on friendly terms this afternoon.
    Amy hung all over Ryan like some kind of nasty fungus. Chloe’s stomach did a little roll when she saw the blonde girl plant a kiss on Ryan’s cheek.
    As she approached, it sounded as if they were planning some kind of party. Amy seemed excited as she talked about who would be there. Hope blossomed within her, but withered just as quickly. There was no way they’d invite her.
    Chloe tried to slip past with the rest of the team, but Travis spotted her right away. Like wolves circling their prey, they were all around her. Only Ryan hung back, a smug look dominating his features.
    Amy laughed and pointed. “Wow, those shorts make your butt look huge, frog girl.”
    Her spirits sank when Ryan grinned for the briefest of moments.
    “I think they make her ass look pretty hot,” Travis said with a crooked grin. He slapped her on the left butt cheek and made her yelp. “Why don’t you turn around and model for us?”
    Chloe tugged at the bottom of the shorts, wishing the dark blue fabric was just a bit longer. She wasn’t exactly chunky girl, but she was softer and more rounded than some of the others. She’d probably never be willowy or model-thin and who would want to anyway?
    “Leave me alone,” Chloe said through gritted teeth. The other girls on the team ran by, they’d already started warm-ups.
    Kelly shoved her, forcing her to stumble backward against Travis. He leaned too close, his breath hot on the back of her neck. “What if we don’t want to?”
    Chloe opened her mouth to retort, but Ryan clapped a hand on Josh’s shoulder and said, “If Travis keeps bugging her, people are going to th ink he’s got the hots for her.”
    The pack laughed and their malicious attention swung to Travis now.
    “I s it puppy love?” Josh laughed. Kelly giggled like an idiot at her boyfriend’s lame joke.
    Travis let Chloe go with a rough shove. “Yeah right! I only like hot chicks!”
    “This is stupid,” Amy grumbled as she and Kelly headed for the parking lot. Josh and Travis ran to catch up with them. Before Ryan turned away, she thought she saw him wink.
    Chloe and the rest of the team did timed sprints down the track. She was dripping with sweat and panting now. A quick glance at the bleachers gave her solace. Ryan wasn’t there and thankfully, he wouldn’t see the disgusting mess she’d become.
    Coach waited for her to pass again before calling her over. “Your friend wants to talk to you for a minute. Make it fast, Chloe. This isn’t social hour.”
    Friend? What friend?
    Jenna moved from behind the coach. She looked so out of place in her long black skirt and matching lace shirt. Each time the breeze ruffled the fabric, she caught a glimpse of black and white tights beneath the skirt. Her shoes were probably the most mundane part of her outfit. They were cute velvet flats with a simple bow at the toe. Of course they were black too.
    Jenna bounced and waved with excitement. The older girl was actually pretty in an exotic sort of way. Chloe couldn’t help but wonder what she’d look like in normal clothes and less makeup. And when did she put that fuchsia streak in her hair?
    Chloe tugged on the hem of her shorts. “I thought Goths were morose and non-bouncy.”
    “Common misconception. ” Jenna tucked her chin length hair behind her ears and grinned.
    “Okay,” Chloe nodded then cast a quick glance over her shoulder. Coach was staring right at them, arms crossed over his chest. He looked