Careful What You Wish For Read Online Free PDF Page A

down. People were watching, and I needed to be a hero—for myself as much as for them. I braced myself for the worst. For an elbow to the stomach, a punch to the mouth, a kick to the shin. But it didn’t come. Instead, Courtney burst into laughter.
    She turned to Lana and Jaydin. “Oh. My. God. How hysterical is that? Double-A thinks she can take me .” Courtney shook her head. “You know, I thought today was going to be a bust. An English test, boatloads of homework, having to go to school with people like that”—she pointed in my direction—“and D.L. isn’t even here.” D.L. Helper was her boyfriend and almost as big a jerk as she was. “But Angel has totally made my day. Watching Double-A defend her true love? Priceless.” She walked into class, laughing and mimicking me the whole way. Not once acknowledging me to my face—like I wasn’t worthy of being taken seriously.
    I was glad Cole didn’t take French. I wouldn’t have wanted him to hear Courtney squashing me down. Max, on the other hand, witnessed everything.
    â€œDon’t listen to a word she says,” I told him.
    â€œYeah,” Gabi chimed in. “She’s awful. She’s said all the same things about me. You just have to ignore her.”
    Max didn’t say anything. He just turned away and went into class, looking defeated.
    Just great. I totally embarrassed him. Again. Why hadn’t I learned my lesson? He didn’t want me jumping to his defense in front of everybody.
    A light tapping coming from the debate team’s award case made me turn around. Propped up right on the biggest trophy was a miniature Lou, throwing tiny lightning bolts at the glass.
    â€œNot again.” When Lou first came into my life, he popped up in school whenever he felt like it. He promised me he wouldn’t do that anymore. But promises, apparently, didn’t mean anything to the devil. “I’ll meet you in class,” I told Gabi.
    There were still a few people in the hallway as I made my way to the display case. I tried to use my body to shield Lou and his lightning from any passersby. “You said you’d stay away,” I whispered, trying really hard not to move my lips. Explaining to people why I was chatting it up with the trophies was not on my to-do list.
    â€œThat was when you agreed to be a part of my life. Agree again, and I’ll go.”
    Lou didn’t even try to keep his voice down.
    â€œShh, I don’t need people hearing you.” I did a quick glance around. No one seemed to be paying any attention to me. Most were just hurrying to get to class before the late bell or finishing up their own conversations.
    â€œWe can always talk later. Just agree to meet with me,” Lou insisted.
    â€œNo. How many times do I have to tell you?”
    â€œAngel?” It was Reid Winters, Cole’s best friend. “Who are you talking to?”
    Just what I was trying to avoid. I smashed my whole body against the glass and turned my head to Reid. “Uh, me?” I stalled. “Nobody. I was just, um, see, it’s this thing I do.” I was sure Lou was getting a kick out of watching me squirm. “Before French class, I like to look at the debate trophies and give myself a pep talk. It helps give me confidence.”
    â€œCool,” he said. But he didn’t mean it. The look on his face read “Freak.”
    I waited for him to leave, but he wouldn’t go. He probably wanted to see the full extent of my craziness, so he could run and tell Cole everything. “I just need a few minutes,” I said. “I’ll be right in.”
    He shrugged his shoulder and left. I peeled myself off the glass and stared at Lou. “Thanks a lot.”
    â€œDon’t you mean merci beaucoup ?”
    So not funny. “This is not the way to get on my good side. Get out of here.”
    Lou winked at me. “I’ll win you