Poor Little Dead Girls Read Online Free PDF Page B

toward the group of girls seated behind her, and Charlotte and the others nodded excitedly. They looked like bobble-heads, with their wide, fake smiles and chins bobbing up and down as if detached from their bodies. The twins looked at each other, and Sadie saw a hint of a smirk pass between their identical lips.
    They turned slowly back to Thayer in perfect sync, and Sadie could tell they were back in tiny-hat mode. They smiled sweetly, and Thayer arranged her crestfallen features back into their usual mask of smugness.
    “We would absolutely love to sit with you, Thayer,” Trix began. “You too, Edith. I’m sure we have just loads in common, and we really need to get in with the right sort here.” She paused as Edith’s eyes lit up, and Thayer opened her mouth excitedly to respond. “But see we already decided to sit with our roomie, Sadie Marlowe — of the Portland Marlowes?”
    “Maybe next time,” Gwen finished, giving Thayer a condescending smile. Then they flopped down in Sadie’s pew and buried their heads in their phones.
    “Social-climbing commoners,” Gwen muttered, just loud enough for the rows around her to hear.
    Left alone in the aisle, Thayer’s smile disappeared, and she dropped Edith’s arm like it was on fire. She straightened her shoulders and puffed out her chest, but her face was as red as a tomato by the time her skirt hit the pew.
    “Hey, um, guys?” Sadie said. “This is Jess. Jess this is Trix and Gwen — my roommates.”
    They each looked up and gave Jessica a quick nod, their manicured fingers still jabbing away.
    Jessica turned back to Sadie and mouthed, “Oh my god!” Sadie just shrugged.
    They heard footsteps at the front of the room, and everyone turned back toward the podium. Sadie could see a man in an expensive-looking suit making his way up the dais. Sadie opened her mouth, but before she could comment Jessica held up a hand.
    “Trust me,” she said, rolling her eyes.
    Headmaster Cromwell was one of the shortest, tannest men Sadie had ever seen, and he was so wide she was worried he would tip over and roll back down the steps like a runaway bowling ball. His suit was at least a size too small, but the rest of his outfit was perfectly put together — his tie and pocket square the exact shade of pink as the tip of his ruddy, bulbous nose.
    “Way too much time on the yacht this summer,” Jessica whispered under her breath. “And a lifetime of too much bourbon.”
    “Welcome ladies,” the man bellowed. His voice echoed around the room’s soaring walls and ceilings. “I trust that you all spent your summer enriching your minds and enjoying the sunshine, resting and readying yourselves for another year of learning at this fine institution.” He paused and looked up expectantly, like he was waiting for thunderous applause. A few girls clapped politely, and Trix loudly snapped her gum.
    “I’d like to welcome our new freshmen and transfer students, and I trust that your sisters have already done their part to make you feel like a part of our family. As we welcome you into our circle of trust, we hope that you will bring us into yours, as well.” He cleared his throat. “I look forward to getting to know each one of you over the course of the school year. I wish to not only be your headmaster, but also your mentor and confidant.”
    Jessica made a gagging noise and Sadie bit her lip to keep from laughing. Somehow, Sadie couldn’t picture herself going to Mr. Cromwell to talk about period cramps.
    “My door is always open, and I hope you will all take advantage of it and come by to introduce yourselves.”
    Jessica leaned towards her. “Don’t do that unless you want him to look down your shirt and then tell you your shoulders look tense.” She shuddered. “He’s a creep. And he’s handsy.”
    “Mrs. Darrow, our Head of Housing and Social Development will now take you through the school rules and other items on this week’s agenda. Enjoy your week, and I