The New Girl by Cathy Cole Read Free Book Online

wasn’t there,” he said a little breathlessly. “I’ll catch him later. Want to head to class?”
    Lila felt a rush of gratitude for Polly and Ollie. Maybe he didn’t mind being seen with her. Whatever Eve Somerstown might do, at least these two were sticking by her.
    There was a waft of lemony scent on the air. Polly’s eyes darkened and Lila’s heart gave an unpleasant thump. Eve had swished up to them. Lila didn’t like the smile on her face one bit.

EIGHT
    Ignoring Polly, Eve gave Lila a long calculating gaze. Then she switched her focus to Ollie.
    â€œHi, babe,” she said sweetly, planting a slow kiss on Ollie’s cheek. She wafted a sparkly envelope under his nose. “You are coming to my party, aren’t you?”
    â€œAm I?” said Ollie.
    â€œOf course you are. Here’s your invitation.” She laughed, and ran her fingers through Ollie’s sticking-up blond hair. “It’s going to be a great night,” she purred. “Even better than last year. I promise.”
    Ollie took the sparkly envelope with some caution, as if it were a bomb. Eve slid her perfectly manicured hand through the crook of Ollie’s arm.
    â€œCome on, or we’ll be late for class.”
    Ollie looked thrown. “I was just waiting—”
    â€œThe new girl hasn’t even got her locker open yet,” Eve said, glancing at Lila. There was a look in her eyes that made Lila nervous. “The bell’s about to go. Come on . . .”
    â€œNice to see you too, Eve,” Polly said drily as Eve pulled a half-laughing, half-protesting Ollie away. “Come on, Lila, put your stuff away and let’s go.”
    Trying not to feel downhearted, Lila fiddled with the latch on her locker. It felt strangely sticky. When she finally managed to get it open—
    â€œOh!”
    She jumped backwards as a cascade of pink glitter and white confetti came pouring out. The glitter was the same colour as the sparkly invitations.
    For a wild second, she felt a rush of hope. Maybe something from her secret admirer was hidden in the sparkles? She dug through the soft pink mess, feeling for an envelope, just in case. . .
    â€œ Lila! ” Polly said in horror. “Look at you!”
    Laughter rang out on all sides as Lila looked down at herself. Thick trails of pink glitter had run all the way down the front of her uniform. There were shiny little grains stuck to her skin, and her socks, and her tie. There was glitter in her pockets, and she could feel some trickling down inside her shoes. Glancing up, she caught sight of Eve smirking triumphantly as she towed Ollie towards their classroom.
    She had been caught out by another of Eve Somerstown’s dirty tricks.
    Lila felt close to tears. She brushed at her blazer, but it was no good. The glitter stayed exactly where it was. She felt utterly stupid standing in the corridor covered in bright pink sparkles.
    â€œCome on,” Polly sighed. “I’ll help you get cleaned up. We’ve still got a few minutes before the bell.”
    â€œIt’s no good,” Lila groaned in despair. “Glitter’s impossible to get rid of. I’m going to look like a piñata gone wrong all day.”
    Polly tapped her nose. “I’ve had all this and worse from Eve in the past. There’s an extra uniform in my locker that you can borrow. Glitter-free.”
    Hope flickered in Lila’s heart. “Are you serious?”
    Polly shrugged. “It pays to be prepared. I learned that lesson a long time ago. My locker’s open – help yourself. I’ll explain everything to Mr Morrison so he won’t mark you late, OK?”
    â€œYou’re amazing,” Lila breathed. Impulsively she gave Polly a hug.
    Polly squirmed away, looking both pleased and embarrassed. “I don’t fancy sharing your glitter, thanks,” she joked.
    â€œSorry,” said Lila, letting