The Gathering Darkness Read Free Page B

made out in the boys locker room.” She looked smug now, twirling a blonde lock around a finger. “He played plenty of attention to me then.”
    “Who’s the best kisser, Megan?” Robyn asked. “You’re the only one who’s had the double experience.”
    Another array of giggles erupted from our table.
    Megan tightened her jaw and stood. She put her hands on the table and leaned toward me. “Marcus is the best kisser, but you’ll never find out. Besides me, no one else our age has ever come close to getting with him.” She spun on her high heel and walked off with her nose in the air, clearly livid.
    Everyone at my table stared at me. I wanted to sink into the chair. Then my defense mechanism kicked in. “I wasn’t planning on going for either of them. I was just wondering what all the hype was about.”
    “What hype?”
    In the distraction, I hadn’t noticed Evan come up behind me. My chair jarred as he grabbed the back of it. He pulled a chair over from the next table and squished it in between me and a girl named Madison.
    It was apparent by the grin on his face he hadn’t heard all of our conversation. “How’s your first day at Deadwich High going, City Girl?” There were giggles, as I began to realize there were every time he spoke.
    “Um, it’s fine.” As hard as I tried not to, I couldn’t help but allow my eyes to drift across Megan’s empty spot, which cleared a path straight to were Marcus sat, watching us. The bell rang just as the situation became uncomfortable.

    The afternoon couldn’t pass fast enough. All I thought about during last class was having to ride the school bus home—not cool. I was glad my friends back home wouldn’t see me.
    Finally my first day of school in the country was over. Even
I
had to admit, it hadn’t been as bad as I’d thought it would be. With the exception of Megan, I’d been well received. The teachers were okay and the school, what I’d seen of it, looked like any other school—no dead witches anywhere.
    As I walked with Sammy to where a string of yellow buses were lined up, a now familiar voice called out to me. I turned to see Evan in his car with his head hanging out the window. He gestured with a wave of his arm for me to come over. I hesitated and looked at Sammy.
    “Go on. We have time. I’ll wait here.”
    Without seeming too eager, I walked across the parking lot to the red Civic. Evan was alone. I was disappointed.
    “Do you want a ride home?” he asked when I’d reached him.
    It was a chance to not have to take the bus, but how would it be perceived to Sammy and her friends, and most of all, Evan?
    In the end, the offer was too good to refuse. “Sure. Do you live near Sammy?”
    “Close enough.”
    “Wait, I better go with Sammy. She’s waiting for me.”
    He looked past me to the gathering of students. “Hey, Sammy.”
    She darted over. “What’s up?” She flicked her pin-straight hair over one shoulder and peered into the car.
    “Do you two want a ride home?”
    I thought it nice of him to include her.
    “Yeah, sure.” She looked at me, clearly excited, then back to Evan. “Is Marcus coming?”
    I wondered the same thing.
    “No, he had to leave early.”
    Sammy gestured for me to get in the front. I hesitated, feeling awkward, but she happily climbed into the back and pulled the front seat back before I could jump in beside her. So I got in the front.
    Evan talked enough on the way home that I didn’t have to say much. Sammy held conversation with him as if they were just old friends and not exes. As we pulled into the village, I noticed how the roof peaks of the Ravenwyck soared above the tree tops, dominating all else in Deadwich. A scene I would have to look at every day.
    A minute later, we pulled in front of Aunt Rachel’s. “Thanks for the drive,” I said before shutting the door. I really was grateful.
    His grin widened. “Any time.”
    Before taking off, he turned his attention to Sammy. “You’re working