The Boyfriend Thief by Shana Norris Read Free Book Online

lawnmowering.”
    I sighed. “I need to find a few odd jobs to earn some extra money or else I won’t be going to Costa Rica this summer.”
    “My sister might consider hiring you to baby-sit sometime,” Molly said. “If you promise not to drop the baby or lose him.”
    I wrinkled my nose at the thought of dirty diapers. Wiping baby butts wasn’t my idea of a good time, no matter how cute Molly’s nephew was.
    “I’m worried that even after everything I’ve done, I won’t earn enough,” I said, frowning at my reflection. “This program is the chance of a lifetime. I’ve waited years to be old enough to go. If I don’t go this summer, will I ever have the opportunity?”
    “You’ll get there,” Molly said. “I have two hundred dollars saved up that I could loan you.”
    I smiled. “Thanks, but I can’t take your money. I know you’re saving it for a new computer.”
    Molly shrugged. “There will be plenty of new computers in my future. The offer stands if you need it. I’m going to go catch up with Elliott. You coming?”
    I shook my head, trying to hide my irritation. Did she have to think about Elliott every five seconds? “No, I’ll talk to you later, when you’ve detached yourself from his hip.”
    “Hey, I can still be a modern, career-driven woman and have a satisfying love life at the same time,” Molly told me as she left the room.
    Once the door had closed behind her, a toilet flushed and one of the stalls opened. Hannah Cohen walked out, carrying her backpack over one shoulder. She silently stepped up to the sinks and took her time washing and drying her hands thoroughly. I pretended to be extremely interested in the contents of my backpack as I dug around inside to avoid acknowledging her.
    Finally, after tossing her paper towel into the trash can, she turned back to me and said, “Hello, Avery.”
    “Hi,” I said, still elbow deep inside my bag. My guard immediately went up. Hannah did not talk to me for no reason.
    Hannah smoothed out a wrinkle in the red cardigan she wore, despite the hot day outside. The white roses along the bottom edge matched the white rose on her headband. Her dark brown hair fell in perfect curls around her shoulders and her skirt was the exact knee-length required by the school dress code. Hannah would never try to fudge the length a little like most of the other girls always did. According to our teachers, Hannah was the perfect example of the model student.
    “Nice job on that history quiz last week, Avery,” Hannah said. “You even got the bonus questions. Bravo.”
    “Stop sneaking peeks at the teachers’ grade books,” I told her. “You wouldn’t want to get caught and ruin your perfect reputation.”
    Hannah gave me a fake smile. “At least I have a nice reputation to worry about. I’m not the one known as the Ice Queen.”
    I was in no mood to stand there all day and admire the witchy green tone of Hannah’s skin in the bathroom’s horrible lighting. “It’s been nice chatting with you, but I have to go.” I moved toward the door, zipping my backpack and throwing it over my shoulder.
    “Wait,” Hannah said. “I have a proposition for you.”
    “You’re not my type,” I told her.
    Hannah sneered. “Ha ha. I mean a business proposition, inspired by everything Mr. Freeman has been teaching us this week. I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation. I know how upsetting it would be if you couldn’t help all the poor, sick people and not get a chance to be a hero. You always have liked helping people, haven’t you?”
    I sighed, rolling my eyes toward the ceiling. “Can we forget the games and get to the point? What do you want?”
    “I want you to steal my boyfriend.”
    It took several moments for the meaning of what she had said to sink into my brain.
    “You want to break up with Zac?” I exclaimed.
    Hannah scowled. “Think you could say that any louder? Yes, I want to break up with Zac. But I want him to be the one to