Your Soul to Take (Rise of the Fallen) Read Online Free PDF Page B

never even consider doing something like that. Or would
I?
    Briefly,
images of a PS3 flittered through my mind.
    Only
to be replaced by the image of the stack of bills by my mother’s laptop. I
sighed heavily. My parents worked very hard to make ends meet. I could
never do it. Not in a million years.
    “I’m
meeting a few friends at the mall for lunch. Do either of you amazing people
have a few dollars you could lend this poor, starving child?”
    Dad
laughed and set down his sandwich. “I have some cash. You’re lucky you’re
charming like your old man.” He reached into his pants and pulled out a
bill. I took it without looking at the denomination.
    “Thanks,
pops,” I said and kissed the top of his head. “I’ll be back later!
Oh, before I forget, Jessie’s coming home from the hospital today. Her father
invited me for dinner so I’ll be eating over there.”
    “Okay,
honey. I want you home by nine and you’re staying home tomorrow. Family dinner
night.”
    I
smiled and grumbled under my breath. I hated Sunday nights. Family dinner night
usually consisted of something with dairy in it that I couldn’t eat, and
fighting with my sister. “Okay, Mom. No cheese on mine,” I reminded
her futilely.
    “Since
when don’t you like cheese?”
    “Mom.
Lactose intolerant. Want me puking all over the place?”
    “Oh.
Right. I forgot.”
    I
rolled my eyes and left.
    The
mall was unusually quiet for a Saturday afternoon. There wasn’t even a line at
Aunt Annie’s Pretzels. I gave a little internal woot woot, and walked up
to the register. The girl behind the counter was facing the other way, leaning
against the register, and filing her finger nails. I decided to be polite and
wait. When the wait bordered on ridiculous, I began tapping the counter. The
cashier looked over her shoulder and gave me an evil grin.
    “I
was wondering how long it would take you to try to get my attention.”
    “Shannon?”
My mouth hung open in utter shock. Shannon MacVie was the head of the
cheerleaders at James Underwood High School. She was also Shanria of the
Chosen. And a royal pain in my ass.
    “The
one and only,” she replied and turned around. I must say, the uniforms at
Aunt Annie’s Pretzels aren’t appealing in any way, shape, or form. After seeing
it on Shannon, I was forced to reevaluate my opinion of them.
    “What
are you doing here?”
    “I
work here. Just started today. They’re already talking about promoting me to
assistant manager,” she said and rolled her eyes.
    “But
what are you doing working here. Shouldn’t you be working at a clothing
store or something more…um…fashionable?”
    “Well
I’m glad you think so highly of me. As it turns out… You got me addicted to the
little doughy concoctions here. Working here affords me one perk that clothing
stores do not… Free pretzels.”
    I
couldn’t help it. The ridiculousness of the situation became too much to bear.
I broke down laughing in the middle of the mall.
    “What’s
so funny?” She put her hands on her hips and I could see fire smoldering
in her eyes. I held up my hands apologetically, but I couldn’t stop laughing.
    “I’m
not laughing at you,” I managed to croak out somewhat comprehensibly.
“You are one of the most beautiful girls at our school. You are the head
cheerleader. You drive a sports car. You could have any job in the world…and
you’re working here. For free pretzels no less.” By the time I finished my
explanation, my laughter had died down to a small chuckle.
    She
still had her hands on her hips, but her back went rigid, though not in anger.
Her eyes had gone wide and she had a bewildered look on her face. I expected
her to want a further explanation, but her question shocked me. “You think
I’m beautiful?”
    I’m
surprised my jaw didn’t hit the counter in front of me. “Um… Of course I
do? I’d have to be blind not to think so.”
    “You’re
not just saying this because we broke bread and are not