Read Online The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren by Wendy Toliver - Free Book Online Page A

bodyspray. “You’re the most
gor-
geous lady I ever laid eyes on. Please take this as a token of mylove,” he slurs, holding out a wine cooler. Oh my God. How embarrassing! I take the bottle, mainly just to shut him up.
    I feel like I’ve just gotten off the teacups ride at Disney World. All the partiers are spinning around the room, closing in on me. Making it impossible to breathe.
    Where’d Zach go?
    I dash down the hall (as quick as I can with a flute down my shirt) and bust through a bedroom door. It’s dark and musky-smelling. I flip on the light switch. There’s a guy and a girl on the bed doing something I really wish I didn’t just see.
    â€œOh, God. Sorry! I’ll just get out of your way … I’ll just go.” I slam the door shut—and then remember I left the light on. I open the door again, flip off the light, and scuttle down the hallway to another room.
    This one’s dark and chilly and (thank God) empty. There’s a queen-size brass bed on one end and an armoire on the other. It’s a pretty, frilly room, probably for guests. I head over to the window. Sheer white curtains flutter in a waft of AC. I pull them back and look for my friends. They’re nowhere in sight.
    I should just go home. Zach obviously found something more exciting to do thanhang out with me. And the sooner I leave, the sooner I can take this freaking flute out. I’m probably getting a rash or something.
    â€œRoxy?” Zach’s six foot, three inch frame is blocking the doorway. My heart skips a beat. God, he’s gorgeous. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but were you always this hot?” he asks me.
    The only sound I can make is a weird snort-laugh.
    â€œYou’re beautiful. I can’t stop staring at you. It’s like you’ve got some kind of power over me,” Zach says, reaching for my shaking hand.
    Oh my God. I can’t believe this is happening. I look down at our hands. It’s all so surreal. He’s
touching
me. I’m in a bedroom with the hottest guy at Franklin and he’s telling me that I’m beautiful.
    He must be wasted. “You’re drunk, Zach.”
    He shakes his head. “Nope, but J.T.’s completely sloshed. Another beer or two and we’re going to shave his unibrow.”
    I crack up.
    Zach bends his elbow, bringing me into his chest like a dance move. I step back, hoping he didn’t feel the flute. Oooh, that smile.

    â€œWhat’s that?” He reaches out and touches my flute, right below my boob.
    â€œIt’s my flute.” Kill me now.
    He raises an eyebrow. “You couldn’t leave it at home?”
    â€œWell, I
could,
I guess, but it would get all freaked out and piddle on the rug.”
    Zach chuckles, and I think I just might be in heaven.
    Until Eva breezes into the room in her beaded sandals with the three-inch heels, completely shattering the whole heaven vibe. I mean, they don’t allow the devil in heaven, do they? “Hey, sorry I’m late. I’ve had the worst night ever. My flatiron decided to die on me so I had to go over to Amber’s and …” She stops talking, apparently noticing me for the first time. She sizes me up, squinting her left eye. Then she practically growls, “Who are you?” She’s so close I can smell her shampoo. I don’t know what kind it is, but it smells a lot better than the Suave I use.
    â€œIt’s Roxy, from school,” Zach says, grinning.
    Amber sidles up to Eva. I was wondering what was taking her so long. “Wow, you look amazing!” Amber says to me.“Where’d you get your hair done?”
    Eva steps in front of Amber. She raises one of her eyebrows, giving her the appearance of someone deep in thought. “Ah, yes. I remember you. You’re the one who’s always staring at Zach.”
    Amber giggles and I take a deep breath. Time to play nice. “I like your