Read Online For Your Heart (Hill Dweller Retellings) by A.L. Davroe - Free Book Online

you.  Stalking is for prey,” he says, pursuing me as I back away from him.  “I know where you live because you live beside my forest and I see you put out the cat in the morning.”
         Oh.  Well, that seems logical…
         “I will come to you.  You won’t get away with tearing up the Summer Queen’s roses.”
         I pull up short.  “Summer Queen?”  The bell rings again and I glance at the PA speaker, cursing the damn thing for making my life hard.  Much as I don’t want to hang around this imaginary weirdo, I want to ask him what the hell he’s talking about.  However, I’m late for Spanish, not doing my grade any favors.  If I mess up anymore I’ll be grounded for life.
         I’m through the door and halfway down the hall before I hear Green Man yell after me.
         “Tonight!  Don’t forget!”
     

Chapter 13
     
    Tamrin
     
         When Lovely comes home, she’s deep in a tearful argument with her father.  I don’t dare go into the house with his watchful gaze shifting from the kitchen to where she sits crying at the table.  He looks ready to draw blood.  By the increase of tears, she looks like she’s losing.  I crouch under the window and strain to hear what they’re saying.
         “-told you this thousands of times, Jeanette.  If you aren’t doing well, you need to be responsible.  Being late to class isn’t going to help you.”
         “I know, Dad, it was an accident.  I got- got sidetracked.  There was this guy-”
         “Great!  Now you’re letting boys get between you and school.”
         Enmire tugs at my sleeve.  “I think she’s talking about you, Master.”
         I cringe; she’s in trouble because of me. 
         “Don’t you want to get into a good college?”
         “Yes!” she grunts.  “But that’s not the point!  You’re not listening, Dad!  This guy is-”
         “Honestly,” he interrupts, “I don’t want to hear any excuses.  Especially if they’re about boys.  Is that why you’re not doing well?  There’s a guy involved?  Who is it?  I’ll expel him!”
         Enmire giggles beside me.
         “Dad!”  She seems embarrassed.  “No, there’s no one in sch-”
         “If you’re having so much trouble, why not get a tutor?  I thought Celeste was helping you?”
         Growling to herself, Jeanette rubs her temple as more tears of exasperation seep from her lids.  “Would you just listen?  That’s not why I was late.  And besides, she doesn’t help with anything these days except giving me a headache.”
         “Maybe you should stop spending so much time with her.”
         “No way, Dad!  She’s, like, my best friend.”
         “Best friends don’t let each other fail Spanish.  Honestly, Nett, your grades haven’t dropped this bad since your mother died.  What’s wrong?”
         “Oh my gosh,” she groans and I hear a distinct thunk .  In the back of my mind I visualize her dropping her head to the table in defeat.  She does that when she’s frustrated .  I grimace at this imagined detail and peek over the sill.  Sure enough, the girl named Jeanette is bowed over an aquamarine placemat, her hair ballooned around her head.  I can’t help but smile.  I must have seen her do that one morning while doing my rounds.
         “Why won’t anyone listen to me,” she moans.  Her voice sounds strained, tired, and a little muffled behind all her hair.  “What did I do to deserve this?”
         Her father continues, ignoring her.  “Senior-itis isn’t going to impress a college application committee.”
         She sighs, her shoulders dropping in resignation.  “I know.”
         Her father slams a pot on the stove, making Enmire squeak and duck under my arm.  “If you know, then why are we having this conversation?”
         Jeanette looks up.  Her expression seems every bit like she wants