The Naughty List by Suzanne Young Read Free Book Online Page A

me, surprised.
    “What?”
    “Nails,” I reminded him. The kid bit his nails to a ridiculous length and then chewed on his cuticles. It was sort of disgusting. I’d tried to give him a manicure, but, well, we never got very far. He always ended up offering to do me instead.
    “Sorry, baby,” he said, dropping his hands into his lap. “Maybe you can buff them out for me later.” He looked sideways at me.
    I crossed my legs to control the tingling between them. His stare was devious.
    “We’ll see.” I couldn’t help but smile. I loved the snot out of him.
    “It’s so fun meeting new people,” Izzie said happily to Christian as she chewed on the stick of her corn dog. “I think it’s really cultural and stuff.”
    She was sweet. The only redhead in the school that wore the uniform. It was good to have diversity.
    Kira cleared her throat and smiled until her dimples were deeply set in her cheeks. “I’m Kira.” She reached over the table to Christian, holding out her hand as if she expected him to kiss it.
    He chuckled and instead turned it and shook it. Kira’s brilliant expression faded briefly, but then she turned to Chloe and smiled again.
    “So you’re a sophomore?” Kira asked her enthusiastically. She was really great at staying perky.
    “Yep. And you’re a cheerleader?” There was that tone again. The same one Christian had this morning. Had they been attacked by a roaming band of cheerleaders when they were younger? What was with the hostility?
    “I am,” Kira said, not at all concerned. “I’m co-captain.” She straightened her back with pride. She’d been excited to get that title. Leona had threatened to quit, but we’d resolved it. Smitten Kittens didn’t hold animosity toward each other.
    “Huh,” Chloe said, then looked over at me. “You the captain?”
    I didn’t like her voice. It was low and gravelly, not cute and small like she looked. It made me think she was not at all the way she presented herself. A wolf in sheep’s clothing, if you will. Leona’s theory might have been spot-on.
    “I am.”
    “And I’m the captain of the basketball team,” Aiden spoke up. I turned to him. He was smiling at her. She smiled back. My stomach felt slightly ill.
    Chloe’s stare came back to me. I felt pale and not at all cute. She started talking again. “Well, I was surprised when Christian said he wanted to eat lunch with a cheerleader, but I guess I can see why. You’re prettier than the ones at our old school.”
    I heard Christian shift next to me. I didn’t think his sister was supposed to disclose their private conversation out loud. My pastiness began to grow pink, and my boyfriend didn’t make a sound. Biting at the inside of my cheek, I held Chloe’s stare.
    She brushed her hair behind her ears, looking bored. “Besides, he usually hangs out with smart chicks—like class presidents.”
    “Chloe!” Christian said through clenched teeth.
    “Well, Tessa is the junior class president,” Kira announced proudly and pointed at me.
    “Really?” Chloe widened her dark eyes, looking sincerely impressed.
    My stomach became further ill, and I didn’t know why. I had made sure to eat a balanced breakfast! Still, Chloe was bothering me. I wanted her to go away, but I would never say that. It would be rude.
    “My Tessa is smart at everything,” Aiden said, his voice dripping with admiration. I felt my fist unclench.
    “Wow.” Chloe held up her hands in apology. “That’s really cool. I guess Christian hasn’t gone as bat shit as I thought.”
    “Don’t you have somewhere to be?” her brother asked her. I looked next to me to see that his nostrils were flaring as he clenched his jaw.
    “No, Christian. I don’t.”
    They stared each other down, neither flinching away. No one seemed to notice but me. The rest of the squad came over to our table, and when Leona returned, she gave Aiden her corn dog. She would never, and I repeat never, eat anything served on a stick.