Read Online Under My Skin by James Dawson - Free Book Online Page A

lied. It popped out of her mouth before she could reason that he and Jennie would probably think it was quite cool. But they might tell people at school and
they
might tell a parent and then
her
parents would know within the hour. The town worked like that.
    They’d only just reached Stan’s room when they heard the front door close and Jennie chatting to Mrs Randall in the hall. She made her way up the stairs at half her normal speed. As soon as she stepped into the bedroom, Sally could tell that she’d been crying. ‘Hey, what’s up, Mitten?’
    â€˜Nothing.’ Jennie took her jacket off but wouldn’t look her in the eye. This was not the pastel-grunge-bubblegum Jennie they were used to.
    â€˜Jen . . . something is clearly wrong.’
    Stan pushed the popcorn to one side. ‘Is it Kyle?’ His nostrils flared along with his temper.
    â€˜We had a fight and now he won’t return my texts. I don’t know where he is. I’m really worried about him.’
    Stan muttered something under his breath, but Sally guided Jennie to the bed so she didn’t hear him. ‘I’m sure he’s fine. What was the fight about?’
    Jennie blinked back fresh tears. She fiddled with her
Satanville
bracelets as she spoke. ‘It’s so stupid. Kyle read some stuff I’d written on the Order of the First forum and he saw that I’d been chatting to some guy in America.’
    Sally frowned at Stan. ‘Well, so what?’
    â€˜He said that I was flirting. I wasn’t, though! We were just chatting – but he’s still really cross, because you know how months ago he found out I’d been talking to my ex on Facebook.’ Jennie checked her phone again only to throw it onto the mattress in dismay.
    Stan, at his laptop, flicked onto the forum Jennie was talking about. ‘Jennie, this is not cool. He can’t stalk you online like that! You didn’t even say anything remotely flirty.’
    â€˜I know!’
    Sally tried to keep her tone even and non-judgemental. ‘And he shouldn’t be going through your stuff like that. Do you hack into his Facebook too?’
    â€˜No! Well, maybe a couple of times . . . if he leaves himself logged in.’
    Sally sighed. ‘Jen! That is so messed up!’
    â€˜I know, but I didn’t do anything. I don’t know why he’s ignoring me.’
    â€˜Because he’s a knoblin,’ Stan mumbled.
    â€˜What?’ Jennie looked to him.
    â€˜Because he’s annoying,’ Stan said, joining them on the bed. ‘Jennie, he’s making you über-miserable.’
    Jennie scowled at him. ‘No, he isn’t!’ she said vehemently. ‘I love him.’ In that moment, she sounded
young
and Sally fought an urge to shake her friend by the shoulders.
    But Sally held her tongue, the way she always did. ‘Jennie, you and Kyle fall out all the time. You always work it out in the end. It’ll be fine.’
    Stan started to argue. ‘This is bullsh—’
    â€˜Stan, you’re not helping.’ Sally’s voice was steady but firm. ‘But he shouldn’t be checking your Facebook. It’s a violation of privacy and it’s not cool.’
    Her cool tone seemed to lure Jennie off the ceiling. ‘I know. I know. Thanks, Sal.’ Jennie flung her skinny arms around Sally and squeezed her tight. Too tight. The tattoo burned and Sally’s eyes bulged in pain.
    â€˜Ow!’
    Jennie let go. ‘What?’
    â€˜Nothing.’ She lied again, but too quickly. She felt like a little kid standing inside the pantry, icing all around her mouth.
    â€˜What’s going on?’ Stan asked, scrutinising her.
    â€˜Nothing,’ she repeated, before adding, ‘That time of the month.’
    Stan dropped it at once, the way she suspected any guy would. ‘Oh. Right . . .’
    She could have so easily told them, but she didn’t want to