The Watchers Read Online Free PDF

stare with an intensity that
was as breathtaking as it was startling. Could looks burn a person?
I felt scorched.
    I sat, hoping he wasn’t one of the popular
kids prone to teasing for something as accidental as a stare. It
was more than embarrassment for getting caught staring that had me
on edge, though. His eyes, green and full of some secret fire, had
me actually feeling self-conscious about the way I looked, and I
never worried about the way I looked. I shook my head to get rid of
the vision of him, but I couldn’t. He was there, a shimmering
mirage unwillingly lodged into my brain by the girls who were
staring at him in brainless entrancement. Not able to help it, I
looked at him through a girl’s eyes, more willing to look than I
would ever admit.
    His face was angular with a strong jaw line.
He had black, messy hair, which made his snowy skin appear even
paler. I wondered if the hair was a deliberate choice or if that
was just the way it fell. He wasn’t my normal type, too preppy, too
boy band-ish, but I had to agree with the others; he was
beautiful.
    There was something else about him, too. I
ran a hand through my hair as I tried to place the curious knot of
recognition in my stomach. It was as if I knew the curve of his
face, the way he tapped impatiently on the bleachers. It was as if
we had spent hours in conversation that no one but us could enjoy.
I chuckled at the thought. That was as unlikely as me painting my
fingernails pink.
    A voice cut through my internal ogling, and I
shut out the visions of him.
    “Hey! You’re Clare Michaels right?”
    I turned and saw the girl with long
blonde hair lean forward out of the chattering crowd. Everyone
stopped talking and turned to stare at the question. Over the
sudden silence, I heard a rush of thoughts I couldn’t keep out, my
temples pulsing in time to the assault. The loudest thought
was: I bet she’s killed people! Just look
at her! Mom says that she’s lived all over the world. I bet she’s
seen a lot. I bet she’s done a lot. I bet everyone would be jealous
if she were my friend. It would give me an edge over the rest. And,
I could totally pay back Michelle for thinking she’s better because
her family owns half the town, take her down a notch.
    “Last time I checked, I am,” I said knowing
those thoughts had been the blonde girl’s. They matched her
voice.
    “I’m Jennifer.”
    I looked away to keep from laughing out loud.
Just once I’d like to meet someone who looked like her named
Virginia or Evelyn. “Hi, Jennifer,” I said.
    “Why don’t you sit up here with us?” she
invited, patting the bleacher next to her in a way that turned the
question into a command.
    The boys, who were sitting to her left,
shifted over to give me room, already figuring I wouldn’t say ‘no’.
I looked at them for a second, wondering if I was being set up. It
would be true to form. I shrugged and moved to sit next to the
bulky, brown-haired boy not caring if it were a set up. I’d lived
through worse, and if I got this out of the way now they’d leave me
alone later. It was better this way.
    There was another surge of thought as I sat
down:
    She’s hot, despite her hair. I bet she’s been
around. I wonder if she’s into football players?
    My aunt knew her mom. I bet I could use that
to get her to talk to me.
    She’s so cool! I want a nose ring!
    Everyone was excited
about her ?
    I wonder if she really lived in China.
    I guess it really is true that the children
pay for the sin of the parents.
    Startled, I tried to follow that last thought
to its owner. I couldn’t be sure under the deluge, but it felt as
if it was coming from a girl sitting outside the group. Everyone
else’s eyes, while judgmental, were excited and curious. Hers were
cold and distant; an impenetrable barrier of hardened emotions. I
shivered and turned away wondering if she really knew how true that
thought was.
    “This is Mark Sheldon.” Jennifer pointed to
the bulky boy next to