Dead Girl Dancing Read Online Free PDF Page B

hear it.” The roommate shook her head. “All you’ve been doing is delaying and making excuses. You’re acting like some guy is more important than your best friends and this trip we’ve been planning for weeks.”
    “I never meant that.”
    “Then forget the guy for a while.”
    Sadie glanced curiously at us. Her sharp features reminded me of a bird: not an ordinary sparrow, but a bright and exotic macaw, shining with shades of sapphire, cinnamon and sunset red. “Aren’t you being harsh, Mauve?” she asked the pink-haired girl. “If Rayah wants to call some dude, what’s the harm? Don’t be such a bitch.”
    “Why not? I am one and proud of it.”
    “Yeah—I saw it on a bumper sticker. Mauve: Campus Bitch .”
    Mauve snorted. “You think you’re so funny.”
    “Someone around here has to be.” Sadie’s car keys jangled as she slipped into the driver’s seat. “So who’s the new guy, Rayah?”
    “Oh, it’s not like that!” I felt my face reddening. “I mean, he’s more like … um … a brother. But it’s important I call him … can I borrow your phone?”
    “Don’t give it to her until we’re on the freeway and there’s no turning back, Sadie,” Mauve interrupted with an accusing look at me as she opened the door to the passenger side of the front seat. “She’s been acting all kinds of weird. I don’t know what’s going on, but it’s more than a hangover. Rayah, is there something you’re not telling us?”
    “Of course not.”
    “Then get into the car.”
    “Fine. Whatever.” I scooted into the back seat.
    Sadie glanced at Mauve and then me with pinched lips. “You know what we need?”
    “A phone,” I said.
    “A new roommate,” Mauve said.
    “Wrong.” With a big smile, Sadie slid into the car and reached for a bag. “Mocha lattes. Since you were taking so long, I ran over to Starbucks and got our usual.”
    I inhaled a rich scent of coffee as I took the hot cup and pulled off the lid. But when I took a sip, I nearly spit it out. Whoa! Sharayah’s “usual” was strong enough to sober up a career drunk. I rarely drank coffee, and when I did I dumped in loads of cream and sugar. Stealthily, I put the lid back on and squeezed the cup into a holder.
    “That should cure Rayah’s hangover. She really tied one on with James .” Mauve spoke his name in a mocking way. “When I got to the room, she was wearing his shirt.”
    “And the partying begins,” Sadie said cheerfully as she fastened her seat belt. “Between you two, my Layaway List is growing fast. How would you rate James? Was he any good? Details, please.”
    “Um … well … ” I blushed, having no idea how to answer this.
    “That bad, huh? Next time you can teach him a few of your tricks.” Sadie said this in a tone that implied I had plenty of experience with guys.
    My cheeks flamed and I was glad to be sitting in the back where they couldn’t see my face. In my real body, I’d kissed a total of four guys and had never gone farther than second base. I was so not experienced—definitely not enough to score anyone or teach them “tricks.” And I was pretty sure Sadie’s “Layaway List” had nothing to do with shopping for clothes at the mall.
    Mentally, I started my own list of People to Avoid:
    #1. James.
    #2. The Stalker.
    Posing as Sharayah might be easier away from the dorm. It was hard enough to fool Mauve and Sadie, but if I stayed on campus I’d run into more people who knew more about me than I knew about myself—which would be all kinds of awkward.
    Still, leaving meant not seeing Eli. But maybe I could meet up with him later—if I could ever call him. Mauve continued to be a bitch about using her phone and warned Sadie not to loan me hers, either.
    I needed a plan to delay leaving until Eli showed up. Anxiety made me nauseous, and I gripped my stomach … and then smiled.
    Being sick—perfect!
    “Oooh,” I groaned with exaggerated drama.
    Sadie whirled around to face me.