Read Online Cinderella Complex by Rebekah L. Purdy - Free Book Online Page A

my locker. I spun the combination and jerked the door open, smacking the locker next to mine.
    â€œOkay, so where did you disappear to last night?” Taylor leaned against the wall. “I went up to your room to hang out. But you weren’t there.”
    I shrugged. “You guys ticked me off after barging in on Connor and me. So I went for a run to cool down.”
    Her smile faltered and she touched my arm. “Okay, I totally owe you an apology. It’s just, he’s the first guy you’ve ever brought home. I got excited.” She dug into her handbag, pulled out a pack of gum, and offered me a piece. “If it makes you feel any better, he seemed really into you.”
    I shoved a stick of Minty-Bubble Pop gum into my mouth. “Well, dating Connor probably isn’t a great idea, anyway. I mean, he’s uber popular. Me, I’m not even on the radar.”
    â€œNo way am I going to let you give up. Hello. You’ve been stalking this guy since, like, elementary school.” She shut my locker for me.
    I noticed Katrina’s auburn hair as she shoved past everyone. Her gaze met mine, and I knew my day was off to a crappy start. She pushed between Taylor and me.
    â€œWe need to talk.” She grabbed my arm.
    Taylor clutched my other arm, inciting a human tug-o-war game. “Since when do we register on your witch-o-meter?”
    â€œNot you.” Katrina glared. “I. Need. Maggie.”
    â€œStop—Okay? Taylor, let me go. Katrina needs a tutor in Chemistry. We’re trying to set up a schedule.” I already felt the best-friend-knife stabbing me in the back for lying.
    Taylor released me. Her gaze shifted from me to Kat. “Are you sure you want to tutor her? She might put you in her witch’s brew.”
    â€œHa-ha. Why don’t you and your lame jokes take a hike.” Katrina tossed her hair over her shoulder.
    I sighed.
    Why me? Maybe deep down, Katrina had some goodness in her. Okay, who was I kidding? There had to be someone more deserving than her. Like the bag lady who waited outside the grocery store, trying to steal people’s pop cans. Or the Grim Reaper. Or, well just about anybody.
    â€œIt’s fine, Taylor. I’ll catch up with you in a minute.”
    â€œIf you need back up, just scream.” She frowned, but gave me a quick wave before hurrying toward first hour.
    When she’d walked out of earshot, Katrina said, “Why’d you tell her you’re tutoring me? I get better grades than you do.”
    â€œIt’s the only thing I could come up with. Besides, I didn’t hear you offering up an excuse.”
    â€œYeah, well, if you’d said something like me trying to give you fashion tips it would’ve been more believable.”
    I dug my nails into the palm of my hand. What kind of punishment would I get for using magic on her? It couldn’t be worse than being forced to help her.
    I calmed myself. “So, what did you want?”
    â€œI wondered if you’d dreamed up a plan yet.”
    â€œI’m working on it. But it’d be a big help if you toned down the attitude some.”
    She snorted. “Then people will know something’s up. I told you last night, I’m not blowing my cover, so forget it.”
    I imagined several ways to make myself disappear. First and foremost, moving to another country.
    â€œI’ll handle it.” I followed her gaze to one of several posters for the Homecoming Dance.
    â€œYou’ve got three weeks to figure it out,” she whispered. A look of longing masked her face. For a moment, I thought I watched someone else.
    When we got to first hour, I plopped down at my desk and Connor turned around. “Listen, I gotta apologize for bolting yesterday. I want to make it up to you.”
    My heart skidded to a stop, running right into my ribs. Problem was, I knew Kat heard every word. So not good.
    â€œNo problem. My family can be