Killer's Kiss Read Free

could go to the hottest and most expensive fashion college in New York City. When she was twelve she decided she wanted to go there—and she’d never changed her mind.
    Delia frowned. The Conklin wasn’t just an award. It was the ticket to all her dreams. The most important thing in the entire universe.
    Well, except for Vincent.
    â€œWhat do you think?” Delia studied her two friends. She didn’t want them to lie to her. But she wasn’t sure she wanted to hear the truth either. “Do I have a chance at the Conklin?”
    â€œDefinitely,” Gabe told her. The buzzer ending the game sounded, and he cheered for the senior team. Kids gathered up their books and backpacks and headed out of the gym.
    â€œPiece of cake, Delia,” Gabe continued. “No one has a better shot at the Conklin Award than you.”
    Delia couldn’t help smiling. “I’m glad you think so,” she told Gabe. “But I don’t think the judges will just hand it to me. Seven kids applied for the award this year.”
    She ran through the other candidates in her mind. Most of them weren’t a threat, but there were a few who stood a chance. A good chance.
    â€œStewart Andrews is a major problem,” she said. “He’s the best artist in the class.”
    â€œHe told me he’s doing a magic show for the talent part of the competition,” Britty put in. “Remember when he made Mr. Marsden disappear? That was cool.”
    Gabe shrugged. “It was a cheap trick.”
    Delia was still listing the candidates. “And then there’s Karina. She has a good chance too.”
    Delia tried to make her voice sound casual. She wanted to pretend that competing against Karina didn’t bother her.
    She didn’t think her friends bought it.
    â€œDon’t worry about Karina,” Britty told her.
    Easy for Britty to say, Delia thought. She doesn’t have to beat little Miss Perfect.
    â€œKarina has a great voice. But it takes more than talent to win the Conklin,” Britty went on. “Grades are important too.”
    â€œYeah,” Gabe added. “And your grades are better than everyone else’s.”
    â€œThanks to your tutoring,” Delia said softly.
    Britty rolled her eyes. “Yeah, her grades are better than yours , Gabe.”
    Then her expression turned serious. “Delia, don’t get stressed about this,” she said. “Your grades are better than ever this year. And you’ve been manager of the girls’ volleyball team for two years. Plus, you were in charge of the homecoming dance.”
    â€œAnd front-page editor of the school paper,” Gabe added. “And chairman of the recycling committee, and—”
    â€œAll right, all right,” Delia cried. “But it doesn’t matter. None of that matters.” She hated herself for sounding so whiny, but she couldn’t help it.
    â€œI’m front-page editor, but Karina is editor of the whole paper,” Delia reminded her friends. “I manage the volleyball team. Karina is the star player. I was in charge of the dance. But Karina—”
    â€œBig deal!” Gabe interrupted. “So Karina was the homecoming queen. So what? Sure, Karina is president of the senior class. And maybe Karina’s voice will blow the judges away in the talent competition. So what?”
    Gabe shrugged. “Everyone thinks she’s the mostbeautiful girl they’ve ever seen,” he went on. “The judges will fall in love with her. Nobody else should even bother trying to win.”
    Gabe turned to Delia. “Is that what you want to hear?”
    Britty giggled. Delia didn’t. She knew Gabe was right.
    â€œGet over it,” Gabe scolded. “When are you going to realize that you’re so much cooler than Karina will ever be? So what if she’s beautiful and sweet? Sweet is boring. Sweet is easy to forget. I hate