Read Online Real Mermaids 2 - Don't Hold Their Breath by Helene Boudreau - Free Book Online

you.” Then she slapped Trey’s shoulder. “But you! You knew all this and didn’t tell me?”
    â€œNot my secret to tell, dude,” Trey said, turning in his seat. “That’s what our grandpa says, anyway.”
    â€œTrue. All true,” Luke agreed, giving his brother a fist bump.
    â€œYour grandpa? Does everyone in Port Toulouse know about this except me?” Cori asked.
    â€œNot exactly, so you can’t tell anyone, okay?” I whispered.
    â€œWho would I tell?” Cori raised her hands in the air and shook her head. “Who would believe me?”
    â€œYou’ve got to promise, Cori.” Luke turned in his seat to look at her. “Please?”
    Cori took a deep breath. “If this means Jade might actually find her mother again, I absolutely promise,” she replied.
    â€œCool.” I nudged her shoulder and rang to Luke.
    Thanks, and I’m sorry for earlier.
    Don’t mention it, he rang back. It’s been a bit of a crazy day.
    Ringing back and forth with Luke in our mer voices reminded me of the first time I’d found out he was mer at Cori’s pool party. To us, it sounded like our normal voices but in another frequency. To others, it was an irritating buzz. Cori pulled her phone out of her bag and put it to her ear.
    â€œWhat is that annoying sound?” Cori stared at her phone when she realized it hadn’t rung.
    We’d finally arrived at the mall.
    â€œMaybe it’s from the construction,” I said. Luke smiled.
    The bus drove past the theater, along the length of the mall toward the Hyde’s Department Store entrance at the far side of the parking lot, but there was a bunch of heavy equipment and chain-link fencing, making it hard to get around. Finally, the bus stopped and we all piled out.
    â€œUh-oh.” I nudged Cori as we stepped onto the sidewalk.
    â€œWhat? Oh.” Cori tensed as Lainey Chamberlain exited the mall entrance and walked toward us, carrying about fourteen shopping bags. Lainey was in our grade at school. She’d had her eye on Luke back in the spring and was not exactly keen on the fact that he’d chosen me over her. Cori had stood up to her in my defense during Luke’s end-of-school boat cruise when she found out Lainey had given me the nickname Scissor Lips back in the fifth grade. They hadn’t spoken since.
    â€œJade.” Lainey stopped in front of me, then scanned the rest of our group. “Trey, Luke…and Cori Blake.” She said Cori’s name as if chewing on a piece of steak.
    Trey and Luke waved and disappeared across the parking lot to McDonald’s, leaving us to speak to Lainey. I couldn’t decide if they were yellow-bellied cowards or just really sensible.
    â€œBe nice,” I muttered to Cori.
    â€œHi, Lainey,” Cori said brightly. “How’s your summer so far?”
    â€œSpec-tac-u-lar,” Lainey said, pronouncing each syllable. She dropped her bags at the curb and pulled out her cell phone from a really fancy looking handbag. “Just got back from New York. The shopping was ah-mazing. Mother wanted to go check out the upcoming winter trends for her new boutique.”
    â€œLooks like you’ve been busy shopping here too.” I nodded to her bags, trying to change the subject since Cori had hoped to actually work at Mrs. Chamberlain’s boutique before her big blowout with Lainey.
    â€œOh, this mall is so bad. It will be much better once my daddy finishes the new wing construction.”
    That’s when I saw the sign.
    Chamberlain Construction presents:
    PORT TOULOUSE MALL EXPANSION
    Using only environmentally friendly
    building products
    Going GREEN to serve you better!
    â€œWell, gotta go! Oh, Jade.” Lainey glanced down at my oversized sweatpants and made a face. “Sport Mart is having a back-to-school sale. Might want to check it out.” A long black sedan pulled up in front of the mall