The Bodies We Wear Read Online Free PDF Page B

dirty; he screams “dealer” from miles away. He definitely doesn’t seem the type that Paige would hang out with, even if she was being daring and trying to shock her rich parents.
    I walk over to the sinks and carefully put my binder and pencil case down on the porcelain counter.
    “The girl asked you to leave her alone,” I say. “I suggest you listen to her.”
    The guy looks me over and I can see the delight in his eyes. He’s finding this hilarious. Two pretty Sebastian Clover girls. He’s going to enjoy tormenting us.
    I smile back, nice and proper.
    “Get out of here, girlie,” he says to me. “Go take an exam or something. I’ve got business here.”
    I step between them. Technically I’m not breaking the rules. I’ve been told not to interact with the other students. Since he obviously doesn’t go to school here, I’ve got a solid defense for my actions. “Make me.”
    The guy laughs like he’s just discovered a pile of gold under his mattress.
    “She asked you to leave,” I say again. “Now, I suggest you listen to her or I’ll have to force you.”
    “You?” The guy can’t stop smiling. I’m looking forward to watching that grin disappear from his greasy face. Paige continues to cower behind me, but I can tell she’s completely shocked. I doubt we’ve ever said a single word to each other. She probably doesn’t even know my name.
    “Try it,” I say. “It’s okay. You can hit a girl. I know you can. I give you permission.”
    The guy steps forward to brush me aside, but I move to the left, grabbing his arm, bringing my leg right in front of his. It’s a simple maneuver; he’s still smiling stupidly as he trips, crashing against the sink, and falling hard on his knees.
    “Bitch!”
    Now I’ve got his attention. He gets up on his feet, looking at me with surprise, still pretty sure I’m not something he needs to worry about. The idea that a girl could kick his ass is completely beyond his comprehension. He swings at me with his right. I block it, and give him a sharp jab back, straight in the nose. His head snaps back, hitting the hand dryer, sending Paige scrambling to the other side of the bathroom stalls.
    Now he’s concerned, but it’s too late. I punch again, another jab to the nose. Something breaks. He screeches, grabbing his injury with his hand, shocked to find blood pouring down his face. When he lunges at me, I step back and to the side, grabbing his arm and using the force of his body to propel him forward. He’s moving too fast and he can’t stop from crashing against the wall.
    “Open the door, please,” I say politely to Paige. She complies.
    I pick the greasy guy up and toss him out the door like he’s nothing but a rag doll. Walking back over to the sink, I wash my hands carefully. Who knows when that guy showered last?
    I pick my binder and pencil case up off the sink and head out the door, which is still being held open by Paige.
    Thirty seconds later she catches up to me. The shock has worn off.
    “That was amazing,” she says. “How did you do that?”
    I shrug and keep walking. Continuing this conversation can get me in real trouble. I glance around, but there isn’t a teacher in sight to witness my naughtiness.
    “I mean, really incredible,” she says. “I’m sorry about all that. Trevor is a real jerk. He shouldn’t even be here. And I don’t owe him money. I can only imagine what you’re thinking. I’m not that kind of person.”
    “What kind of person is that?” I ask.
    She pauses. “Not the kind to hang out with gutter rats like that.”
    “He’s not a gutter rat,” I say. “He’s a dealer.”
    “Yeah, whatever, they’re one and the same, aren’t they?”
    “No.”
    “I didn’t realize you were such an expert.”
    I stop walking and turn toward her. She’s looking at me curiously, trying to figure out what my story is.
    “Dealers are scum,” I say. “They destroy lives. They want to become dealers. They’re greedy