The Tainted (The Tainted Series Book 1) Read Free

stood and watched as the other students all paired off with each other, none of them even glancing in her direction.
    All of a sudden, Rebecca felt a light tap on her shoulder and turned to find a girl smiling widely up at her.
    “I’m Emily,” the girl said and stuck out her hand.
    Rebecca raised an eyebrow, but slowly stuck out her own and shook the girl’s.
    “I’m new here, well I’m not really new, I’ve lived in this town my whole life, though you wouldn’t know that. Nobody knows that. Nobody knows me… yet.” Emily winked at Rebecca, who stifled a laugh.
    Emily explained that she’d been homeschooled up until this year, when she’d finally been able to convince her parents that it was important for her to have a real ‘High School Experience’.
    “Really, I just needed to get out of the house. I love my parents and all, but how lame is it that I’m 14 and my mom’s my best friend.” Emily swung hard at the ping-pong ball, missing it completely.
    Emily either didn’t notice or didn’t care about the strange looks she was receiving from the other students as a result of her decision to associate with Rebecca. Emily was fun and goofy, and seemed to say or do whatever popped into her brain. Never before had someone been so open and nice to Rebecca at any of the schools she’d attended, and she soon found herself able to forget everyone else and laugh and horse around with Emily.
    They shared two other classes that day and sat together at their own table at lunch. By the end of the week, the two were inseparable; bonded over the simple fact that they were outsiders and each other’s first true friend.
    Now, as they entered into their senior year, Rebecca viewed Emily as the sister she’d never had. Though school had gotten easier and the students at least slightly nicer, Rebecca was sure that Emily was the only reason she’d made it through the last three years.
    “So Becs, you ready for this?” Emily winked at Rebecca while tugging on the wheel and pulling out onto the road towards town.
    “For senior year? Ha,” Rebecca said while rolling her eyes. “I’m ready for it to be over and it hasn’t even started.”
    “Oh come on, it’s not that bad. Besides we rule the school this year. We’re seniors. We’re large and in charge.”
    “Large and in charge? Last time I checked you still barely came up to my shoulder,” Rebecca laughed, then quickly had to dodge as Emily swung a well-aimed punch at her arm.
    “That’s only because you’re the Jolly Green Giant’s cousin.”
    Emily, with her shorter frame, whispy blonde hair, and light blue eyes, looked nearly opposite of her best friend. Rebecca, who had always been very tall for her age, was now just about six feet. In fact, there were no girls, and very few boys, at the high school taller than her, and in truth she loved it.
    From their homes in the woods, it was nearly a 20 minute drive to school. By the time they pulled into the parking lot, there was less than five minutes before the bell for first period.
    “See you in second period, ‘k?” Emily yelled while running off in the opposite direction, towards her Spanish class.
    Rebecca bolted towards her own classroom’s door, rushing through right as the bell rang. The last thing she wanted to do was start her senior year with a tardy notice.
    Almost all the desks were full, except for two in the last row. Rebecca quickly made her way back and sat in one.
    “Calm down students, calm down. I know you’re all still in summer mode so I hate to be the one to break the news to you, but it’s officially over. School’s back in session.” Her history teacher bowed his head as the class let out an exaggerated sigh.
    “Looks like we were supposed to have a new student today, but…”
    “I’m here.”
    Rebecca spun in her chair, shocked to find that the seat next to her was now occupied. She was certain it had been empty only seconds before, and she hadn’t seen anyone enter the