The Inner Kingdom: Quest One (Dragon Quest Book 1) Read Free Page A

to pull off; with my mocha dark complexion and brown eyes, Ashley’s platinum blonde hair and blue eyes, and April’s freckled face and dark red hair, no one would expect a thing.
    We were right. I mean, three new kids transferring at the same time with the same last name, and not one person has figured out that we live in the same house. 
    Even though we have our differences, they have never stopped us from standing up for one another… until now.
    “I believe we need to rethink our agreement,” I blurted out.
    “Are you insane?” Ashley asked with a look of betrayal. “You know, I’m beginning to think you were the one who was hit with the ball.”
    “Just listen, you don’t have to tell everyone if you don’t want to. It wouldn’t hurt if April and I were around each other more.”
    “How long do you think it will take until someone figures it out?”
    “You’re genius boyfriend hasn’t figured it out yet. I would give it at least, until his sophomore year in college until he does.”
    “You know this is not all about Brandon. You have to remember the nasty comments the kids would say about us because we were adopted,” Ashley exclaimed as if that justified her choosing popularity over her sisters.
    “Just to give you a heads up, I don’t care what you do. I am going to be there for April, no matter what. If Brandon finds out, who cares!” I yelled, feeling my anger rise. “This agreement was a terrible idea; the decision we made was supposed to make our lives better.”
    “You wouldn’t feel that way if you were the one that became popular. I believe that you are just jealous, and are trying to ruin what I have,” Ashley accused smugly as if she had figured everything out. 
    “Jealous? Of what! I do not want your phony friends or corny boyfriend. I am content being who I am, without constant approval from others,” I shouted before leaving Ashley behind in the restroom. Soon after, I heard the bell ring, signaling the end of first period.
    As I tried to lose Ashley in the crowd, I remembered that we also had second period together, but she would not dare talk to me if anyone else was around.
    Rushing into my second period math class, I went straight to my seat in the back of the room where I found an out of breath Ashley waiting beside my desk. Her appearance would have been funny if I wasn’t so mad at her.
    “You can’t just say what you want and then leave,” Ashley stated, trying to smooth her hair back into place.
    “Well, I was done talking.”
    “I wasn’t.” Ashley said right before Miranda sauntered into the room interrupting us.
    “There you are Ashley. Brandon was searching all over for you.” Miranda's smile disappeared as soon as she saw me. “You weren’t just talking to her were you?”
    “No, we were just having a lip moving contest,” I said sarcastically.
    “I don’t have time for you today,” Miranda commented, looking me up and down, seemingly not satisfied with my appearance. “Eww. Why do you still have on that tacky gym uniform?”
    “I didn’t have time to change back into my clothes,” Ashley responded quickly.
    I was getting more and more upset as Ashley tried to explain herself to Miranda, as if she was her parole officer.
    “What took you so long that you didn’t have time to change?”
    “We were just discussing about what happened in gym after we took April to the nurse’s office,” Ashley said while avoiding my eyes, continuing her charade. 
    “So, why do you care?” Miranda questioned with a smirk on her face. “It serves that crazy girl right for not knowing her place.”
    “What did you just say?” I asked, stepping toward Miranda, making her take a step back.
    “Excuse me ladies, class is now in session.” Our math teacher, Mr. Stuart, announced “If you want to continue chatting, you can do it on your way to the principal’s office.
    “You are so lucky. I am going to let this go…for now,” I muttered so low that only