Read Online Alice in Wonderland High by Rachel Shane - Free Book Online

decorative bathroom soap, there only for show. Tears broke through and streamed down my face. I sagged, breathing hard.
    This was stupid. Crying wouldn’t move the rocks, and giving up definitely wouldn’t. Picturing Chess’s impressed smile if I completed their test, I lunged for another rock. My muscles screamed, and the ache triggered another stream of tears. I yanked with all my strength, freeing the rock. Several more teetered. I hopped back farther into the creek right before all the rocks tumbled to the ground in a desperate escape from their tight-knit clique. I sympathized with their bid for freedom from the status quo.
    The water shot out at me, and I lost my balance, falling on my butt into the mud. I didn’t have time to react—the water pulled me under and covered my head. Goodbye, feet , I thought when the water swallowed them. My first instinct wasn’t survival—it was embarrassment.
    How lame would it be to drown in a five-foot creek?
    My head burst through the surface and my lungs gulped oxygen. I grabbed a nearby branch, but the current protested, pushing against me. One finger slipped, then another. I gave in, flipping onto my back and floating down the creek, in control now that I wasn’t panicking.
    The scenery blurred by, trees becoming streaks of green. Then I saw the school rushing at me like a car accident I couldn’t swerve away from. The water had overflowed the banks and was rising up the side of the building. Something liquid this way comes.
    â€œOh my God! Someone fell in!” a voice yelled.
    â€œAnyone a lifeguard?”
    I reached for the edge of the creek and tried to pull myself up, but the current was too strong. I kept slipping. So I raised my arms in the air and did my best drowning-victim impression.
    â€œMove over, lametards.” Whitney sloshed through the flooded grass to reach me.
    Her hand gripped my wrist. The water pooled around her ankles. She tugged so hard, I thought she might take my arm and leave the rest of my body. That would certainly put an end to my environmental endeavors. And my homework, except for French oral pronunciation. Soon both of us crashed into the shallow water covering the grass, panting.
    Yet, I couldn’t help smiling. The grass was wet, wasn’t it?
    â€œNice outfit,” Whitney said, releasing my wrist and hopping to her feet. Her black leggings hid the water stains.
    â€œThanks.” I stood up and crossed one ankle over the other, concealing my boots as best I could to prevent them from drawing any more attention. “I mean, for saving me.”
    I wiped water away from my eyes and scanned around for my bag. Crap. I’d have to double back to the dam once the commotion was over. A crowd of students watched us, umbrellas shielding them. Thank God I’d left the boring white T-shirt at home and opted for something colorful. “This is not a museum attraction.” Whitney gave the crowd a dirty look.
    Most scattered, heading for the entrance, while a few lingered, pulling out cell phones and turning into amateur paparazzi.
    â€œSo, what? Figured it was a good time to practice your crawl stroke?” Whitney forked her fingers through her straggly hair.
    â€œNo, I was auditioning to become a lifeguard. I think I failed.” My teeth chattered and goosebumps embossed my skin. I rubbed my shoulders.
    â€œReally, because I think you had a different agenda,” a male voice said. I turned around to find Kingston stepping toward me, the forest behind him as though he’d come from the opposite direction of the school. He carried an umbrella, but his jeans were soaked through, like he’d been standing outside for a while. His bright-yellow rain hat matched my boots. Well, if Di had an outfit twin, I guess I could have one, too. “Wasn’t necessary with the weather forecast, huh?”
    â€œPerfect cover?” I tried.
    â€œMaybe if you didn’t almost get