White Ninja by Tiffiny Hall Read Free Book Online Page B

Lincoln’s fat suit hanging over a ladder stapled to the wall.
    In all that time, Green Eyes and I haven’t said a word to each other. He’s found a clipboard with paper and is drawing. I’m biting my nails. Being this close to those forest eyes, the blond hair sweeping over his face, the strong shoulders and sharp jaw, is giving me goose bumps. I’m tongue-tied; deciding whether or not to speak to him is like wringing out a towel in my mouth.
    I clear my throat. He doesn’t look up.
    I stand up and move closer. ‘Um …’ I watch his hand caress the paper. ‘What are you drawing?’
    He looks up and his eyes glow against the dark walls.
    â€˜See.’ He smiles and lifts the page to show me two words embossed with what look like stars.
    â€˜Looks good. What does it say?’
    The boy’s smile is peanut-butter thick. ‘Thanks, Fancy Face. It says “White Warrior”.’
    â€˜What’s that?’
    He doesn’t answer, just puts the clipboard down, slides his elbows onto his knees and rests his head on his hand. I sit back down on a pile of crash mats. I look around the room, trying to think of something else to talk about, but I have to ask.
    â€˜What do you mean by “fancy”?’
    He hasn’t taken his eyes off me. ‘Well … pretty,’ he says gently.
    I drop my head, wishing I knew what to say.
    He continues. ‘But you’d get told that all the time.’
    I shake my head violently and my eye patch comes loose. Damn, I forgot I was wearing that stupid thing. Here I am with the cutest boy in school and I’m wearing a pirate patch. Lame! Then I realise I haven’t answered him.
    â€˜Never,’ I say.
    â€˜The world needs glasses,’ he says, leaning back and folding his arms behind his head. ‘And braces.’
    â€˜Braces?’
    â€˜Must be bent if it doesn’t think you’re pretty,’ he says.
    I smile and feel my entire being blush.
    â€˜Why are you saying this to me? I don’t even know you.’
    â€˜I know you.’ He points at me. ‘You’ve shown a lot of yourself today.’
    I look at him, confused.
    â€˜The boys’ toilets? Saving the cat?’
    I gasp. ‘You were there?’
    â€˜I was in the next cubicle.’ He laughs.
    â€˜I didn’t mean to hurt anyone. I don’t know what’s going on with me lately.’ I tie my fingers up in knots and unpick them, not looking at him.
    â€˜Midteen crisis?’ he offers.
    â€˜What?’
    â€˜Just joking. It’s not a midteen crisis. I know what’s going on with you and I’m going to need your help.’ He stands at the sound of footsteps — Sergeant Major coming to dismiss us. ‘I’m Jackson Axe, by the way.’
    â€˜I’m Roxy. Roxy Ran, and why do you need my help?’
    He picks up his ‘White Warrior’ drawing and taps the page. ‘I need to find this,’ he says. ‘And you can help me. Meet me after lunch at Gate One.’
    I nod quickly before the door opens and Sergeant Major barges into the gym. We head out to lunch.

SIX
    I’m on my way to Gate One to meet Jackson as planned. I’m very early, but I’m too scared of missing him to wait in the library.
    â€˜Roxy!’
    I recognise my sister’s voice. Can’t I wag school in peace?
    I spin around and Elecktra glares at me. ‘Where are you going?’ she asks.
    If angel honey existed, it would be the exact colour of Elecktra’s hair glistening in the sun.
    â€˜I-I,’ I stutter, looking around for Jackson to save me. But I’m early so he’s nowhere in sight.
    Elecktra grabs my wrist and throws my arm up in the air. ‘How many times do I have to tell you to stop sweating on my clothes?’ she whines. ‘It’s hideous!’
    Suddenly, a gaggle of her girlfriends is surrounding us, including Chantell Best, who’s in