Read Online The Merciless II by Danielle Vega - Free Book Online Page A

wrong places? What if she wanted me to get lost?
    I shake my head, pushing the thought aside. I have no reason to mistrust Leena—she’s been nothing but nice to me. I stop in the middle of the hallway and squint down at my map.
    A girl rushes past me, knocking into my arm. My map and notebooks go flying.
    â€œSorry,” she calls over her shoulder.
    â€œWait!” I yell after her. “Do you know where Sister Lauren’s—”
    But the girl disappears around the corner before I finish my question. I drop to my knees and gather my notebooks.
    â€œHey—” The voice sounds like a hiss, and it comes from right next to me. I jerk my head up, but there’s noone there. I hug my books to my chest, and push myself to my feet.
    â€œHello?” I call.
    Someone giggles. The sound rises, and then fades just as quickly. I hurry to the end of the hallway and peer around the corner just in time to see a door swing shut. The hallways are now completely empty. It’s my first day and I’m late.
    â€œCreepiest school ever,” I mutter, glancing at Leena’s map as I retrace my steps. My English class is room 108. It’s just two hallways down, which is strange. I could’ve sworn I was just there. I follow the map and find room 108 hiding at the end of a hallway. Finally. I hover near the doorway, listening to the students talk and laugh and greet their friends. No one looks at me, but I still feel awkward.
    â€œAll right, everyone, settle down,” Sister Lauren says, standing behind an old wooden desk. I didn’t recognize her in her full nun’s habit. Black robes rustle around her legs and a white headpiece obscures her short brown hair. A long gold cross hangs from her neck. I clear my throat to get her attention.
    â€œSofia! I didn’t see you there,” she says, smiling. “Welcome to Junior English. Let’s see, there’s a free desk in the corner, next to Mr. Sellito. Go ahead and take a seat.”
    Mr. Sellito . I turn and see Jude crouched over a desk near the wall. He glances up at the sound of his name, but doesn’t look at me. He’s dressed like all the other boys now, in creased navy pants and a stiff white shirt, a plaid tie knotted around his neck. A dark lock of hair falls over his forehead, blocking most of his face. I replay the moment where our eyes locked in the chapel, and heat rushes to my face.
    Only a total bitch  . . .
    I grit my teeth, forcing the words out of my head. I didn’t go after Jude, so I have no reason to feel guilty. Still, Sutton’s warning is stuck in my head. She seems very protective of Leena, and I don’t want to ruin the only two friendships I have at St. Mary’s. I try to ask Sister Lauren if there’s another desk, but she’s already turned to write something on the chalkboard.
    People are looking at me. Someone giggles in the back row. I stare down at my notebooks and hurry to my desk.
    â€œLet’s all turn to page thirteen,” Sister Lauren says, dusting the chalk off her hands. She opens the top drawer of her desk and pulls out a paperback book. “Sofia, you’re welcome to use my copy until we get you one of your own.”
    She drops the book onto my desk. I blink down at it and, for a second, I think I’m seeing things.
    The Tempest . Of course that’s what we’re reading.Sister Lauren’s copy looks exactly like the one I have back in my dorm. A woman with wild red hair gazes out over an angry sea. I stare at the woman’s back for a long moment, daring her to turn and look at me. To smile her horrible smile. All teeth and hair.
    Jude shifts in the seat next to me. He still smells like the smoky vanilla incense that was burning in the chapel. I tilt my head to the side, pretending to stare at the crack running across the wall behind his shoulder so that I can study him from the corner of my eye. He’s scribbling something