Trying to Live With the Dead (The Veil Diaries #1)

by B.L. Brunnemer

I was on my way to Algebra 2, and my mind was finally awake, though my body was still tired. I was going to make it through the day and take a nap this afternoon. Hell, maybe I could bribe one of the guys to do my homework. I had put Asher’s warning out of my mind and was simply walking down the hall when a shout rang out. Then another. “Hey, new girl!” That had to be me. I turned to find a tall girl with the same blonde hair as Asher striding toward me with fire in her eyes. I sighed, reminded myself about my temper, and waited. People backed up creating a ring around us. Jessica was pretty but had on too much bubblegum-pink lip gloss. She was wearing a white crop top even though it was cold this morning. Her big, gold hoop earrings shined at me. She stopped within a few feet of me, towering over me. Two of her friends were standing on either side of her. Oooh. A show of force. I barely managed to keep my face straight. “Yes?” I asked, keeping it polite. Her eyes flared at me. “Keep your hands off my boyfriend, bitch,” she spat. I really wasn’t in the mood to deal with this. “Your boyfriend put his hands on me, and I made him stop.” I shrugged, feeling my hair slide down my shoulder. “Tell your boyfriend to keep his hands to himself, and we won’t have a problem,” I added, again, my voice reasonable. Jessica took a step forward, and I swear, she did a head bob.