Read Online The Bodies We Wear by Jeyn Roberts - Free Book Online

like me much, do you?” Paige asks as I slam the door closed.
    “Never said that,” I said.
    “Then what is it?”
    “What’s what?”
    “Why do you act like you can’t stand to be around me? Is it because of Trevor? I told you already. He’s a major jerk and I don’t have anything to do with him.”
    “It’s not Trevor,” I say. “He’s a nobody. I just don’t want friends.”
    Paige’s mouth draws itself into a surprised O. She’s wearing a very nice lip gloss that makes her lips a perfect pale pink. “Everyone wants friends.”
    “Not me.”
    “I don’t believe you.”
    I shrug. “Suit yourself.” I turn and start walking to class.
    She struggles to catch up. “Come to my party.”
    “Why?”
    “Because I want you to come.”
    I spin around, hoping to catch her off guard, and it works. She takes a step back cautiously. “I’m not interested in your games. If you want to go slumming, find someone else. I’m sure Trevor has friends who will be more than happy to entertain you.”
    “Is that it?” She rolls her eyes, showing off her lovely blue eyeliner. “I’m not slumming. I could care less who you are or what your parents do. I’m not a snotty little rich princess and I have no intentions of becoming a gutter rat either.”
    I shrug. We’ve arrived at my English classroom, a class she’s thankfully not a part of.
    “Come have lunch with us,” she calls out. “Make up your own mind about us first. You’ll see. We’re a lot of fun to hang out with.”
    She’s determined, that’s for sure. Ignoring her, I head into class. Maybe I will have lunch with them. It could be nice to have someone to talk to for once, even if I do have to monitor everything that comes out of my mouth. Sitting at my desk, I glance up to see Mr. Erikson, the English teacher, staring at me suspiciously.
    Maybe not.
    Besides, what would I say to them? It’s not like I can tell them anything about myself. The school warned me against these things. I’m not even supposed to mention Gazer. Originally the administration put together a backstory for me, featuring good wholesome parents who had excellent-paying jobs and loved me to death. But they abandoned the idea, deciding it would be too complicated for me to remember, and that it was better if I just ignored everything and everyone.
    Never tell.
    My motto.
    The bell rings and everyone gets settled. Mr. Erikson begins to talk and I immediately lose all focus. I’m too tired to listen to him drone. I’ve already read the book, a modern-day love story. She eventually leaves him to go live in the woods like a wild animal. I remember being fascinated with it when I was younger. I’ve never seen a forest. I couldn’t imagine what living in one would feel like.
    Peaceful.
    I wish I’d gotten more sleep last night but I just couldn’t stop thinking about Chael and the comment he made to me before he left.
    “Honey bunny.”
    Not the world’s most original term of endearment. My dad used to call me that when I was little. I used to hate it and get angry, puffing out my cheeks and telling Daddy to stop teasing me. Christian overheard my father once and he used that expression every chance he had. Outwardly I used to get angry but inwardly, well, I loved it.
    Honey bunny. A sign of affection. Teasing. Something you’d see on a greeting card. Something even a sarcastic stranger might use.
    Chael really does have nice green eyes. It would be a shame if he turned out to be the enemy.
    Trying to stifle a yawn, I rest my chin on my hands, letting my hair fall into my eyes so I won’t look so obvious.
    It would be easier if I weren’t so tired.

    I’m in a very small room. No, correction, I’m in an elevator but it’s not moving. I can see the buttons on the wall, ranging from numbers one to twenty-three. The emergency phone is there but it’s not working. There isn’t any power except for a small light at the ceiling above my head. I pick up the phone but only