Read Online Darkness Falls by Mia James - Free Book Online Page A

a swig of her drink. April caught her eye and when she looked back defiantly April guessed it wasn’t just cherryade in Layla’s cup. She looked around for Gabriel and her heart leapt when she saw him standing in a corner talking intently to Simon. She caught his eye, and he nodded and turned back to his conversation.
    It’s only a game , she repeated to herself. Maybe she’d be able to get him alone later on. It was killing her not being able to speak to him properly. April picked up a sausage roll, but realised she didn’t feel at all hungry.
    ‘What can I get you, Davina?’ asked Caro, clearly enjoying herself.
    ‘Nothing for me,’ said Davina patting her flat stomach. ‘On a bit of a complicated diet. No carbs or protein, definitely no artificial additives.’
    As Caro explained that it was the additives that gave crisps their taste, April excused herself to go to the bathroom. Partly because she really didn’t like all the attention she was receiving, and partly because she was on a mission. Somehow, she had to find her way to the library. She walked out into the entrance hall, past people sitting on the stairs, kissing and drinking. The door to a sitting room was open and there was a group gathered around a glass table – whatever they were doing, she wouldn’t be able to snoop in there.
    ‘You lost?’
    ‘Oh, hi, Simon,’ said April. ‘No, just looking for the loo.’
    ‘It’s all a bit much, I guess? You must be feeling a bit fragile after what happened.’
    April smiled gratefully.
    ‘Yes, it’s partly that. Plus I’m not the best at these social things.’
    ‘Neither was I, I have to admit, but you learn to love it.’
    She looked at him. With his slick new haircut and designer clothes he was barely recognisable from last term. But then we’ve all changed a lot since then, haven’t we? thought April.
    ‘Are you okay, though?’
    ‘What do you mean?’ asked Simon.
    ‘Well, we don’t see much of you any more.’
    ‘You mean, “what the hell am I doing hanging out with these phoneys?”’
    April laughed.
    ‘Well, maybe. You never seemed to like them.’
    ‘That rebel thing was all a pose. Inside every kid in a leather jacket and eyeliner is someone who really just wants to fit in. Yes, I know they’re a bit … well, strait-laced, but when you get to know them they’re pretty cool. Why shouldn’t I be the cool kid, when I’ve been the outsider all my life? They accept me, they like me.’
    ‘We accepted you and liked you.’
    ‘But you and Caro, you’re different, April.’
    ‘Different good or different bad?’
    ‘Just … different. I’m sick of being different. It wears you down.’
    There was a bang behind them as the bathroom door opened.
    ‘Bloody locks,’ said Layla, reeling out into the corridor.
    ‘What are you two looking at?’ she sneered as she saw April and Simon. ‘Seen something interesting?’
    ‘Are you okay, Layla?’ said Simon.
    ‘Yes, of course,’ she said, her chin raised. ‘Why shouldn’t I be?’
    April gave Simon a meaningful look and he took his cue.
    ‘Gotta pee,’ he said and disappeared into the toilet, locking the door.
    ‘Having a little reunion were we?’ said Layla.
    ‘Layla, what’s the matter? Yesterday you said …’
    ‘Nothing,’ said Layla quickly, cutting her eyes left and right. ‘I didn’t say anything. And there’s nothing wrong,’ she said taking a swig of her drink. ‘Nothing that this can’t fix, anyway.’
    ‘But I might be able to help.’
    ‘Oh yes, the heroic Miss Dunne, the brave girl who rises above it all, you’d love to fix my problems wouldn’t you? Well let me tell you’ – she barked out a bitter laugh – ‘you can’t help me now. I think this is a long way beyond your capabilities.’
    ‘But what’s going on?’
    ‘Who said anything was? I’m fine. I’m among friends, aren’t I? Not like you. You’re the odd one out here.’
    ‘Layla, you’re not making sense.’
    ‘I’m