Cutting Up The Competition (Horror High #2) Read Free Page A

going to be so pissed at me if she saw me hanging out with Winter at lunch. I hated to risk losing her friendship forever. But as I looked over at this tall, handsome stranger, I couldn’t help myself. “I would absolutely love to,” I said, sticking out my chin flirtatiously.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Five
     
     
    The lunch room was filled with my classmates’ chatter and sounds of heavy, plastic trays sliding across the Formica counters of the lunch tables. There were nearly twenty tables with windows on each side, and I was sitting in a seat near the back, hiding from Sydney and Dakota. The truth is that I felt terrible for avoiding them, especially after my spat with Dakota in Brit Lit this morning, but here I was anyway—sitting with my two new friends, Winter and Jordan Addams.
    Winter was still recovering from the shock that her brother and I had hit it off right after she and I became friends. As I shoved bland tasting spaghetti noodles into my mouth from my lunch tray, I stared at the two siblings. They didn’t look anything alike. Winter was fair-skinned with that white-blonde hair and she stood out like a sore thumb, especially next to her brother, who was sporting a dark tan and even darker shaggy locks. She must dye her hair, I realized foolishly.
    I, for one, have never dyed my hair. Not because I’m above it, but because I’ve never had anyone to help me do it. When your dad dies tragically and your mom is off doping somewhere, you don’t really have many adults to help with everyday things, like hair care.
    Winter and Jordan were discussing their class schedules amongst themselves, and to be honest, I was feeling a little left out. Despite their differences in physical appearance, their mannerisms were similar and they seemed to get along perfectly. I felt another slight twinge of jealousy—I’d always dreamt of having a sibling.
    “So, did you used to date Andy McGraw?” I blurted out of the blue. Winter’s spaghetti-covered fork froze in mid-air.
    “How did you know that?” she asked.
    “Dakota Densford is my best friend. She recognized you this morning in Brit Lit, and she told me you were Andy’s ex. Apparently, you met Dakota last year when she caught the two of you kissing.” I said it fast, a hint of a question in my voice.
    “Well, for your information, Andy and Dakota were not actually dating yet when we hooked up. His dad and my dad were friends in the Army, and we’ve known each other since we were toddlers. That day, when I went to see Andy, it was because I’d just learned my dad was going to be stationed in Hawaii. I wanted to tell him goodbye.” Winter seemed stiff, nervous.
    “Dakota and Andy are pretty serious now.” I gave her a warning glance.
    “I’m not interested in dating Andy anymore.” Winter sniffed, turning back to poking her food. Jordan was quiet, looking back and forth between us.
    “So, in other news,” he said, drawing out his words to get our attention, “I’m going to talk to Coach Purnell after school today about possibly joining the basketball team.”
    “That’s great, Jordan!” Winter squealed. “He’s such a good basketball player,” she said to me, smiling proudly at her brother. “Since we didn’t know we were going to be students here over the summer, he didn’t have the opportunity to try out. But he was the best player on the team in Crimson County,” she further explained. I nodded understandably.
    “Yeah, basketball tryouts are always in the summer. But cheerleading tryouts are on the first day of school. Today.” I glanced up at the cafeteria clock, remembering for the first time since this morning. “If you make the team, you might get to see me. I was on the squad last year, so I should be able to nail a spot again this year.” I winked at Jordan and he smiled right back.
    Winter let out an excited whoop, wriggling around in her seat happily. “I’m trying out too!” She clapped her hands together.