Naomi Grim Read Online Free PDF

we're going shopping. We'll come pick you up."
    "N-no. I'll meet you there."
    "Why can't we pick you up?"
Ashley asked, taking off her sneakers.
    "We just moved and our house is a
mess."
    "We don't have to come in,"
Paige said. "We'll just blow the horn and you can come out."
    Why were they pressing this? I knew I
shouldn't go, but a huge part of me wanted to. "I'll meet you there,"
I said firmly. "What time?'
    "Oneish," Ashley answered,
eyeing me suspiciously.
    I followed the girls to lunch, wondering
how much longer I'd be able to pull this off and how the others were going to
feel about this mall trip.
    * * *
    The halls were filled with excited
students who couldn't wait to begin their weekends. The final bell had rung a
few minutes ago. I stuffed my books in my locker, even though I should have
been taking them home to catch up. Something sharp poked me in the side and I
jumped.
    "Sorry, Snowflake," Hunter
said, leaning against the locker next to mine. "Weekend plans?"
    "I'm going shopping with the girls
tomorrow afternoon, but that's it."
    "Good. I want to take you to the
movies tomorrow night."
    I had to think about that. Going to the
movies wasn't a crime, as long as I didn't let things go too far. I remembered
what Roxy had told me about Ashley. Then I told myself that I was only here for
a couple of weeks, so what the hell?
    "I'd like that."
    Hunter beamed. "Good. I'll pick you
up at eight."
    "No. My parents don't let me date.
I'll have to meet you."
    Hunter raised his eyebrows. "Okay.
It's the movie theater next to the mall."
    "Okay. It's a date."
    Bram treated us by picking pizza up from
some pizzeria that ended up being disgusting. I missed my mother's terrific
home cooking terribly. Doyle came over that night.
    "So, young Grims. Five days. Don't
worry about the Foragers. We'll take care of them."
    "How?" I asked.
    "Didn't I just say don't worry
about it? Since there will be no school for the next two days, I thought it
would be okay for you to spend them in Nowhere. I know you miss your families,
and I'm sure they miss you."
    Everyone seemed happy about it, but I
didn't want to go home. I had plans. I missed Father, Mother, and Chase, but
that was all I missed about Nowhere. Mother and Chase were probably still out
on assignment so chances were I wouldn't even get to see them. Besides, I was
beginning to like this place.
    "No," I said. Everyone looked
at me. Bram sighed and rolled his eyes. "I have plans," I continued.
"I think it's important for us to stay and hang out where the high school
kids do. Maybe we'll learn something."
    Doyle stroked his eyebrows thoughtfully.
"That's a good point."
    "But—" Dorian said. He looked
awfully homesick.
    "No, you guys should stay and hang
out where the kids are, but be careful. Has anyone heard anything pertinent to
the assignment?"
    We all shook our heads. I wasn't
surprised. This was the kind of thing people would keep tightly under wraps.
You'd have to be a tight member of their group to get any info.
    Doyle stood. "Anyway, it shouldn't
be that much longer. Hang tight. This is going to be a big payday for all of
us."
    Once he left, everyone glared at me
accusingly.
    "Really, Nay? That could have been
our way home for a couple of days," Dorian complained.
    "Ahh, it's not a big deal,"
Bram said. "We can't watch TV and eat whatever we want at home. It'll be
fun. Just the five of us hanging out."
    I cleared my throat. "I have plans,
actually." Everyone stared at me again. I was tired of them looking at me
as if I was crazy. "What? You heard what Doyle said. This is what we need
to be doing."
    "Great," Bram said.
"Where are you going? We'll all go."
    "Fine," I muttered. I didn't
feel like arguing with them. Besides, it was four against one.
     

Chapter 17
     
     
    "Don't you want to change your
wardrobe up a little bit?" I asked Bram.
    He stood in the living room mirror
spiking his hair. "I did. I'm not wearing a hoodie. Besides, the ladies
love this look."
    He was still