Read Online Unchosen by Michele Vail - Free Book Online Page A

And here she was, trying to make herself feel better by bullying me. I hated to admit that I felt sympathy for her. I understood that her father probably pushed her hard—probably way too hard.
    Unfortunately, that fact didn’t make Clarissa any less of a bitch.
    At some point, you had to stop blaming the people around you and accept that you’re responsible for yourself, your choices, and your mistakes.
    Or so I’ve been told by every adult in the history of ever.
    “Believe what you want,” I said. “Your dad came after me.” I stood up. “If he does it again, I’ll be ready. So maybe you should tell him to leave me alone.”
    Clarissa stiffened and her expression became thunderous. Then she sucked in a breath and slowly stood, her fists clenching. “The competition will prove which one of us is the real champion,” she said. “It’ll just be you and me, Molly. And I will win.”
    Clarissa’s arrogance was boundless—no doubt that quality was another gift from her awful father. I strode to my door and yanked it open. “Get out.”
    “Gladly.” She marched forward, and then she hesitated. She glanced at me, her expression more anxious than angry. “Just … watch your back.”
    Clarissa left. I slammed the door and locked it.
    Watch your back. Her tone hadn’t been hostile. She’d sounded more worried … almost like she was giving me friendly advice. That didn’t make sense. As hungry as Clarissa was for the ultimate prize, she wouldn’t do something stupid like warn me.
    Would she?
    I wrestled with my thoughts for a few moments more, and then gave up. Clarissa and her father could go jump off a cliff for all I cared. I needed to focus on my own goals. Right now, goal one was a long, hot bubble bath followed by goal two of painting my toes neon blue.
     
    “WE REALLY NEED to stop letting Autumn pick the movies,” said Barbie.
    “Oh, c’mon,” protested Autumn. “ Casablanca is a classic!”
    “There wasn’t a single zombie in there. Booooooring!”
    “You need some romance in your dark, decrepit soul,” said Autumn. Four of her ghosts floated above her head, engaged in a card game. Every so often, I heard one say, “Go fish.”
    “No, I need more cheese doodles in mah belly.” Barbie rolled off her bean bag, and pointed at the only dude in our group. “Hand ’em over, Danny.”
    “Don’t call me Danny,” said Daniel in his usual deadpan tone. He gave her the half-empty bag of orange puffs, and Barbie happily shoved three into her mouth.
    “Well, at least she’ll shut up for a minute,” said Autumn.
    “Grag-ug-ew-blah!” yelled Barbie. She swallowed. “So there!”
    We laughed, and then pelted Barbie with assorted snacks. Popcorn, potato chips, and M&Ms hit their target. Barbie looked down at her lap and picked up an M&M. “Thank you all for your donations. Your recognition of my awesomeness is appreciated—and expected.”
    “Oh, ya’ll!” Autumn got up, turned off the TV, and ejected the DVD. “I gotta get some sleep. I’m plum tuckered out.”
    “Plum tuckered,” mimicked Trina. She also stood, and brushed crumbs off her pink-striped shirt. “Why don’t you just say ‘tired’?”
    Autumn put her hands on her hips, the DVD case sticking out from her left hand like an odd appendage. “I did.”
    “Oh, goodie. Trina and Autumn are engaged in another round of ‘speak English, ya fool’.” Barbie pretended to hold a microphone. She pointed it toward Daniel. “What’s the score so far, Dan-O?”
    “Zero to zero,” said Daniel. “And don’t call me Dan-O.”
    Barbie stuck her tongue at him, which was orange. Her childish gesture earned an eye roll from “Dan-O.”
    I watched my friend’s playful bickering with a sense of gladness. I felt (almost) normal. For once, I was able to hang out with my friends without having to back out, make up a lame excuse, or see Clarissa’s stupid face.
    “All right, guys,” said Trina. “I have an announcement.”
    We all