Feral: Book One Read Free Page A

dealing with my former friend. I let my gaze drop to the books Madison held in her hands, and sure enough, they confirmed that we would be taking some of the same lectures.
    Then I actually took a look at her wardrobe—hell, everyone had probably taken a good look at her wardrobe!—and it was in no way shocking to see my former childhood friend clad in the tightest, skimpiest, red top I had ever seen and the shortest black bootie shorts that looked more like a second skin.
    “Hello, Mads,” I said saccharinely, addressing her by the nickname Brie had come up with during high school. “How was Boston?” I couldn’t resist getting the dig in. I was sure she wouldn’t be bothering me over the summer if she hadn’t flunked during the semester.
    Her simpering expression disappeared. “Lovely. How is Cole?”
    I shrugged. “Wouldn’t know. I haven’t spoken with him since I left Georgia.”
    “Oh, what a shame,” she drawled, her blue eyes filled with vicious glee. “I have.”
    I repressed a sigh of exasperation. “Is that so? Well, when you speak to him again, tell him I hope he’s doing well, and that I thoroughly enjoyed England and hope to go back again in the not-so-distant future.”
    I gave her a brilliant smile, then pivoted in place to go in search of my books, Brie hot on my heels. When we were out of earshot, I huffed. “You’d think she was still in high school. I mean, honestly. Aside from trying to get a rise out of me, what was the point of that? Why couldn’t she just get her books and leave me alone?”
    “It’s Mads,” she said. “There’s never any other point. She knows she upsets you, and you let her.”
    I made a vague noise of disgruntled agreement before browsing the shelves. “Do you think I could get this book online somewhere for less? Ninety-nine bucks is a bit pricey for a damn workbook.” But even as I said the words, I hefted the large paperback into my arms.
    “Oh,” Brie groaned, “that’s nothing compared to what you are going to pay for that.”
    I glanced at the title she pointed to on my list and began searching frantically, dreading what I was going to see. As soon as my eyes spied the spine and the price tag, my heart dropped. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology was over one hundred-sixty dollars. “Merda! ” Shit! At that point, I did not care who heard my loud expletive. “How the hell do they expect us to pay for all this?”
    The red-head gave me a sympathetic look. “Maybe you can get an older one off Ebay or something for a hundred or so? I mean, how much could it possibly change in only an edition or two? Most of the information is the same, so as long as you take good notes, you should be okay, right?”
    “It’d better be,” I grumbled, “because I can’t afford nearly two hundred bucks for one damn book I’ll only use a year and a half max. This’ highway robbery!”
    I continued to search for the books I could afford, weaving in and out of the crowds, squeezing through small spaces to access the shelves, and muttering the entire time about how every price tag should be equivalent to grand theft. I could buy several new outfits and a couple pairs of shoes for how much college literature cost!
    It took me awhile to find everything I needed, but I was finally able to make my way to the counter, where I accepted the glare the cashier gave me and happily returned it with one of my own. I would have stared at the middle-aged woman even longer, but movement outside the shop window caught my attention, as well as the attention of everyone within a twenty foot radius.
    “Wow,” was the only word I heard Brie mumble, and I wholeheartedly agreed. “I’d love to know who that is.”
    “That is Simon Treviso.”
    I all but jumped out of my damn skin when he turned his head and locked eyes with mine as he passed by. I swallowed and tried to ignore the warmth that suddenly seemed to be seeping into my face, but when he smiled and tilted his head in