The Demon Notebook Read Online Free PDF

smiles made her blush, and more than one of their fellow students had noticed and started pointing it out. He seemed to almost welcome the teasing, like it confirmed a bond between them. On the other hand, Una’s formality and politeness, so hideously out of character, was somehow frightening. Now it was extending to teachers as well. Her hand shot up when she knew the answer to a question, and Adie said she even offered to help Mr. Kilroy collect all the books at the end of class.
    Being so distracted by her troubles, Grace didn’t notice the large shadow cross her path until it was too late.
    â€œHey, look,” Tracy’s grating voice sneered, “it’s a friend of the Freak. Hey, friend, where’s the Freak?”
    Grace kept her head down, didn’t answer, and stepped around Tracy.
    â€œI asked you a question.” Tracy’s tone hardened, and she slapped Grace’s bag so it slipped off her shoulder. Grace stayed silent but picked up the pace a little. Grabbing the strap of the bag sharply, Tracy pulled Grace toward her until they were almost nose to nose.
    â€œYou tell the Freak I’ll be especially looking out for her tomorrow. And you’d be best keeping your distance after that, know what I mean?”
    Tracy’s henchmen giggled, barely visible behind Tracy’s awesome mass. Grace shrugged her off, frowning but not daring to talk back. As she hurried home, she realized her friend was in more than one kind of trouble. What if the new Una didn’t know about Tracy Murphy’s intense dislike? And if she dared speak to Tracy the way she was speaking to everyone else, Tracy would assume she was being made fun of in front of everyone and definitely knock Una’s block off.
    Grace called the others as soon as she got into the house. They were going to need a game plan in place by the next day.
    ***
    The plan next morning consisted of one very simple rule—keep Una as far away from Tracy Murphy as possible. Unfortunately, this meant that the girls could never leave Una alone, so they took shifts throughout the day depending on their schedules. Adie didn’t want to take the first shift, but she was in both of Una’s classes that morning, so it was the most practical. During the break, the girls herded Una out of the main building and behind the tennis courts, where they kept an eye out for the Beast and her cronies. Jenny had the next class, and Grace after that. Lunchtime was going to be the big problem. No one was allowed to leave the premises during lunch, so they had to stick to the school grounds. Their lunchroom was in Tracy’s block, so that was definitely out. After much arguing back and forth, they agreed to sneak into one of the science labs and hide there at lunchtime for the time being.
    â€œWhat a very well-equipped lab,” said Una, gazing around.
    Slowly chewing on their sandwiches, the girls tried their best to ignore Una’s odd conversation.
    â€œThe gas taps on each desk are well-placed and, I’m sure, very useful,” she went on.
    Jenny let her head fall heavily onto her lunch box, knocking over the obligatory bag of M&Ms that scattered across the desk and onto the floor.
    â€œYou’ve made a mess, Jenny,” said Una.
    â€œBe quiet, Una!” Grace snapped, unable to contain herself any longer. But Una merely got up and wandered, humming, over to the window.
    â€œWhen are we going to fix her?” Jenny grumbled, with her head still down on the desk.
    â€œTell me how, and I’ll do it!” Grace replied.
    â€œWhat if this is permanent?” Jenny said, finally lifting her head. “Do you think…?” She glanced at Una and lowered her voice. “Is she still in there?”
    Grace looked up at Una’s blank face staring at them and felt suddenly sad.
    â€œShe has to be,” she said. “And we have to fix her soon. I’ve got a horrible feeling that the longer she stays