Read Online Wash Me Away by Wendy Owens - Free Book Online

studied all weekend,” I can feel Willow’s glare burning into the back of my neck. She’s made herself at home on Julia’s roommate’s bed, despite the sign taped above it that says: Stay off my stuff, that means YOU.
    “Yeah, I have a lot of catching up.” Willow’s attempted insult gives me the perfect out. No need to explain my time with Leo, because honestly, I’m not even sure why we were hanging out, or what any of it meant. Napoleon Blake has a girlfriend.
    “Lame,” Willow mutters under her breath.
    Julia flips over onto her stomach, peering over the edge of the bed at me. “Well, keep your schedule open this Friday night.” From the mischievous grin engraved on her face, I can tell this can’t mean anything good for me.
    “Why?” I ask apprehensively.
    “Like you have anything better to do, loser—”
    “Jesus, Willow, give it a rest already,” Julia snarls, looking across the room.
    “Oh my God!” I recognize the pitchy squeal as Julia’s pale blonde roommate, Corin. Though Willow hates me, it doesn’t come close to the level of detest shared between these two. Willow had spent thirty minutes the day we met ranting about what a shallow person Corin Buttersworth was and how she couldn’t believe people like her actually existed. “What in the hell is that doing on my bed?”
    “Lighten up, C,” Julia huffs.
    “It’s Corin,” the girl corrects her.
    “It’s Corin,” Willow repeats, mocking her.
    “Real mature.” The girl actually reminds me of what a real life Barbie doll would look like, with her perfectly manicured nails and little pink sweater. “Now get your disgusting, diseased ass off my bed.”
    Willow sits up, a smirk appearing on her face as she intensely watches the girl. Lifting one hand to her black lipstick-covered mouth, she swipes her open palm against her tongue. Before Corin can react, Willow wipes her saliva-covered hand on the comforter, then, without a word, stands and walks out of the room.
    Julia fights back her laughter, while I sit watching in horror. If it’s physically possible, I’m certain Corin’s head might burst.
    “Ugh!” she groans. “Seriously Julia? Keep your reject friends out of my room and off my stuff!” Corin screams. She swipes the comforter off her bed and charges toward the hall, pausing at the door just long enough to give me a little advice. “Do yourself a favor: stay clear of these losers.”
    As soon as Corin is gone, Julia lets her laughter burst forth. It’s infectious, and both of us are nearly rolling in delight.
    “She’s pissed,” I declare.
    “Please, Corin Buttersworth was born pissed off.” Julia dismisses the outburst.
    “Why do she and Willow hate each other so much?” I ask.
    “We all grew up together . . . our families are friends and we even used to all vacation together.”
    “What happened?”
    “I’m not sure exactly. I’ve heard my parents say something about stuff that went down between their fathers, and then Willow was different after that. Corin didn’t like the new her, and it really pissed off Willow. You know, typical rich bitch drama.” Julia rolls her eyes, as if she weren’t also filthy rich. Unlike most of the people at Burton Academy, I grew up poor. Poorer than most of them even realize exists.
    “You never asked them?” I ask.
    “Umm . . . no!” She exclaims, rolling her eyes.
    “It’s a shame they can’t get back to being friends.” I sigh, shrugging my shoulders. .
    Julia laughs, then her face shifts. “Oh sorry, I thought you were kidding. You really are far too sweet of a person. You should work on that.”
    “I’ll try and remember that.” I force a smile.
    “I’m just saying, there are people in this world who are worth your sympathies, but most are self-absorbed pariahs.” Julia’s cautionary words reveal more than just her cynicism. She’s been hurt and betrayed by the people around her, just as I have. The only difference is she isn’t hiding the