The Last Girl Read Online Free PDF Page A

Gwen asks them her questions that have been answered again and again.
    Why do we obey the rules?
    Because they keep us safe.
    Why must we remain here inside the walls?
    Because beyond them is ruin.
    How can we rebuild the world?
    By being part of the greater good.
    The chime sounds, and they rise from their desks. Zoey’s stomach gurgles as hunger pangs roll through her from her lack of breakfast. Meeka hangs back when Zoey waits for Lily to gain her feet.
    “I shouldn’t have said those things,” Meeka says. She puts out a hand and Lily grasps it, making a delighted sound.
    “It’s okay. I overreacted,” Zoey responds. They walk past Miss Gwen’s desk, the instructor’s eyes following them like two blades. They wait until they’re outside the cubicle before speaking again.
    “It’s not okay,” Meeka says. “I say things before I think them through.”
    “You’re not telling me anything I don’t know.” Zoey casts a sidelong glance at her friend, her mouth curling up a little. Meeka shoots her a poisonous look.
    “Last time I’m nice to you.”
    “Oh, was that you being nice?”
    “You’re quite the bitch, you know?” Meeka says, but her eyes are smiling.
    “Bish, bish, bish, bish,” Lily begins to chant.
    “Lily, that’s not okay,” Zoey says, stopping their progress across the wide lecture hall. “You can’t say that, okay?”
    Lily smiles, dropping her chin to her chest. “Kay.” They begin walking again. “Bish,” Lily whispers. Meeka’s laughter peals out and echoes off the concrete walls. Her Cleric squares himself toward them, tilting his head to one side. Meeka rolls her eyes and lets go of Lily’s hand.
    The Clerics fall in beside them as they walk down the hallway, the sound of footfalls loud in the closed space. Zoey hangs at the very back of the group, Simon at his usual place on her left. As they move toward the cafeteria and the smell of lunch permeates the air, Simon surprises her by speaking.
    “I heard you get reprimanded this morning,” he says.
    She glances at him, but he doesn’t look at her. “Yes. I fell asleep.”
    “You should take care not to do that.”
    “I will. I was tired.”
    “You’re not sleeping well?”
    “No. I’m sleeping fine.”
    He grunts. “You need to pay attention in lecture.”
    “I know. I do.” The anger rises again within her, and she grits her teeth. Why? She thinks. Why should I pay attention? So I can read all of the edicts and rules that have been stamped in my brain over and over again? So I don’t incur the wrath of that woman in there who hides her true feelings behind a fake smile? Because Miss Gwen hates them, Zoey knows. She can see it every time the older woman gazes at them, the way her hands flit at her sides sometimes like she yearns to do something terrible with them.
    Zoey is snapped from her thoughts as she sees Lee round the corner ahead.
    Lee. His sandy hair, always messy as if he’s recently woken up. The carefree smile on his face that never seems to leave. His freckles, that she’s studied up close more times than she can count . . . He sees her and his simmering grin widens, flashing bright teeth. But his gaze only hovers on her for a second before he turns it to his father beside her.
    “Hi, Dad. I was looking for you,” Lee says, striding up to them.
    “You know you’re not supposed to stop us in the halls,” Simon says, glancing past his son to the receding line of women and their Clerics.
    “I wouldn’t have, but Assistant Carter found me this morning on my way to breakfast. He wanted me to tell you to report to him after your shift tonight.” Simon squints and glances at the floor before shooting a look at the nearest camera in the ceiling.
    “Okay. Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome.” Lee turns and moves past them, brushing against Zoey so lightly she barely feels it, and knows that even on the camera the movement would look innocent.
    She doesn’t turn her head or acknowledge anything.