Code Red Lipstick Read Free Page A

mouth.
    â€œAargh!” Tommy screamed, clutching his face. The rest of his words were incomprehensible as he picked up the smaller boy by the lapels and threw him against the locker, mumbling something threatening.
    â€œIt’s nothing to do with me,” the boy protested.
    As Tommy curled his fist into a punch, Jessica increased the magnetization. It tore him away from his victim and slammed him into the metal locker, mouth first. He tried to pull himself off but his braces were firmly stuck.
    â€œHelp!” His voice was muffled.
    The boy seized his opportunity to escape and pegged it down the corridor. Jessica clicked the “off” button and Tommy slumped to the floor in a shower of coins. She didn’t have time to gloat. She took off down the corridor to her left and burst through the door just as her form teacher snapped shut the red registration book.
    Uh-oh.
    â€œLate again, Miss Cole.” A smirk spread across Mr Hatcham’s face. “We’re so honoured you deigned to pay us a visit instead of gracing a catwalk.”
    Now all eyes in class were on her. This was so embarrassing. Becky flashed a sympathetic smile. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see a blond boy watching. Jamie. A hot red flush stole across her cheeks.
    Mr Hatcham folded his arms over his large stomach. A couple of shirt buttons gave up the struggle to keep his belly inside and popped open. He was enjoying this. He always made digs about her modelling in the hope of making himself more popular with the other kids. As if .
    â€œPerhaps one of these days you’ll find the time to teach me a few things,” he continued.
    He jumped to his feet and attempted to strike a modelling pose, putting his hand behind his ear and pulling a silly face. A few girls tittered. Didn’t he realize they were laughing at him, not her? She really did hate him. If only she could throw him into that tank with the snake!
    â€œI’m sorry,” she said through gritted teeth. “I can explain.”
    â€œI’m sure you can, Miss Cole,” he said, raising an eyebrow. “You can explain at your leisure during detention with me tonight. We also have the pleasure of Jamie, who is equally incapable of turning up on time.”
    Jessica’s heart did a somersault at the sound of Jamie’s name, the way it always did. Now it was pounding faster. Did he realize the effect he had on her? His mouth widened into a smile, revealing perfect white teeth. He scraped his chair back and stood up. He was one of the few boys in the year group who was taller than her. He also had a seriously good body from all the sport he played. His shirt stretched impressively over his biceps.
    â€œThe pleasure’s all mine.” He took a deep bow and grinned at Jessica.
    She blushed deep crimson as the class clapped and wolf-whistled.
    â€œThat’s enough. Quiet, everyone!” Mr Hatcham snapped. “Sit down, Jessica. You’ve caused enough disruption for one morning. Becky, take those ridiculous earrings out or you’ll be joining Jessica and Jamie at detention. And remember, no one likes being a gooseberry.”
    Jessica dived for her seat, next to her friend. She couldn’t bring herself to meet Jamie’s gaze as she sat down; she was red enough. Why was it she managed to stay calm whenever she accompanied her dad on covert assignments but when it came to Jamie she turned into a total wreck?
    She looked across as her friend tucked her neat black bob behind her ears and pulled out a pair of dangly skull-and-crossbones.
    â€œBad journey?” Becky whispered.
    Jessica sighed. “Same as ever.”

“So you’ve finally landed a date with Jamie,” Becky said through a mouthful of sandwich. “Congrats!”
    She elbowed Jessica, who shuffled further along the bench. They always went to the local park for lunch, even in the winter, to escape from the claustrophobic classrooms and