Read Online Poor Little Dead Girls by Lizzie Friend - Free Book Online

something.”
    “Yeah, whatever. I know when I’m being smiled at, and that wasn’t it.” She grinned. “Don’t be such a pussy. You’re so talking to him at halftime.”
    Sadie tried to hold back a smile.
    “Unbelievable. One stupid football game and you already have a crush on someone. I knew that would happen. And meanwhile, I’m totally going to end up going to all the events with Gene again.”
    “Gene?” Sadie raised her eyebrows.
    “Ugh, do not ask. Trust me.”
    The whistle blew for the kickoff, and they all turned their attention toward the field. The game turned out to be really exciting, even though Gwen and Trix spent the entire time complaining about how confusing “American football” was. By halftime, Graff was ahead 14–13.
    Jessica popped up out of her seat and stood on her tiptoes to peer over the crowd. “Let’s go. You’re not getting out of this. Actually, wait … damn it. He just left.”
    Sadie stood up and watched Jeremy’s lanky stride as he made his way down the aisle and disappeared into the crowd. In response, her stomach fizzled with nervous, frustrated energy, but Jessica wasn’t fazed.
    “Nachos?”
    During the second half, Sadie tried to keep an eye on Brett and Josh, but Jeremy never came back. When they finally caught up to Brett on the way back to campus, she told them he had left early.
    “He said he was nervous about practice tomorrow and wanted to go over the plays again.” Brett shrugged. “Can’t say I blame him. I’d be nervous if I was the new kid, too. No offense.”
    Sadie groaned. “So I should be nervous?”
    “Um, yeah. Especially for the test,” Jessica cut in. “Have you been training?”
    “Yeah, I guess. But I didn’t even know about the test until last night.”
    Brett frowned. “Well, there’s not much you can do about it now. Don’t stress about it. I’m sure you’ll pass. And if you fail, you just get to take it over again.”
    Jessica raised her eyebrows. “You do not want to do that. Trust me.”
    As they turned onto the beach road, Sadie looked back and saw the tower darkening as the sun dipped down behind the trees. She felt the knot in her stomach grow a few sizes.
    The lacrosse team was the entire reason she was here, and failing the running test would be the worst possible way she could start things off. She would have to do everything she possibly could for the next three days to make sure that didn’t happen — starting tonight.

    Over a disturbingly raw block of tuna in the dining room (Brett called it “seared”), Sadie pondered her plan. First, she thought about working out in Ashby’s fitness center, but she knew that wouldn’t be the same. She had to run outside — feel the turf under her cleats so the field wouldn’t feel so foreign come Monday. She remembered their after-dinner curfew and the 10 P.M. lights-out time and took a deep breath. She was going to pass this test, even if it meant breaking a few rules.
    After dinner she went immediately back up to her room, leaving Brett, Jessica, and the rest of the team watching TV in one of the common rooms. She slipped through the door and checked the clock. 8:36. Technically she wasn’t allowed to leave campus after dinner, but as long as she made it back before lights out she would probably be okay. At least, that’s what she had been telling herself for the last two hours.
    She changed quickly into running clothes, then threw on a huge gray sweatshirt that hung down past her black running shorts. She sneaked a glance in the mirror to make sure her camouflage was effective. The running shoes were kind of a giveaway, but she would have to make it work. She grabbed a water bottle, clipped on her Shuffle, and headed back toward the stairs.
    She followed an exit sign in the lobby down a short hallway until she found a side door. It was labeled as an emergency exit, but no alarm sounded when she cracked it open and pushed her way through.
    Outside it was completely