Read Online Modern Monsters (Entangled Teen) by Kelley York - Free Book Online

don’t speak as we head inside. Brett goes his way and I go mine, though he does fist-bump my shoulder gently before he goes. He prefers to keep his books on him at all times, and I prefer to cram whatever I can into my locker and get it as needed. There are usually people getting into their lockers all around me at any given time, so I don’t notice her at first. Not until I realize she’s leaning her shoulder against my locker and staring right at me when I lift my eyes.
    “Uh, h-hey Autumn.”
    Autumn has her hair twisted up into a messy bun today. Her leggings are slashed at the knees, probably violating dress code, and her thigh-length tank top has a skull and crossbones on it with the disclaimer underneath: this is not gang-related . Cute.
    She doesn’t smile. “I want to talk to you.”
    Great start to my morning. Somehow I doubt she’s here to apologize for treating me like a leper. “O-okay. Here?”
    “Outside.” She inclines her chin in the direction of the nearest double doors leading outside to a section of picnic tables where some students eat lunch. I follow her to a table where I remain standing, afraid any sudden movements will provoke her. She sits on the table itself, feet planted on the bench, elbows on her knees, and stares at me. “So.”
    “S-so?”
    “You probably haven’t heard yet, since Callie just found out less than an hour ago…but the DNA results came back.”
    My heart leaps into my throat. “Okay.”
    “They didn’t find any of you in, like—” She gestures awkwardly. “I mean, nothing in her rape kit matched up with you.”
    I feel like someone has pricked my side and let all the tense air out of me. My eyes close while I take a deep breath to reflate, feeling lighter and more confident this time. “That’s g-good, right? If they have s-someone else’s DNA—”
    “They don’t,” she cuts in. “When Callie came back from the party, she scrubbed herself down more than once. By the time I talked her into going to the cops, there wasn’t really anything left.” Her eyes narrow. “So, you know, it’s not like you’re off the hook.”
    My shoulders begin to sink as I remember Mr. Mason telling me that a lack of physical evidence just means it could be Callie’s word against mine in front of a jury. “Oh. Then…why are you telling me this?”
    “Because I wanted to see your reaction.” She examines her polished nails and I get the feeling she’s purposely avoiding looking at me now. That’s a first. “You didn’t seem surprised.”
    “That’s b-because I told you, I didn’t do it.” The first bell rings for class. Autumn doesn’t seem in a hurry to move. If I play hooky a second day, Mom is going to murder me. “I really need to go…”
    Autumn heaves a sigh and waves dismissively. There is no anger in her this time. No sense that she’s going to lash out and grind my face into the concrete. Instead she seems almost…defeated? Sad? I wonder how Callie felt when she got the news. If she still fully believes it was me or if the lack of evidence has left some doubt in her mind. I wish I could talk to her, but the restraining order kind of prevents that. Hell, Mr. Mason wouldn’t even want me talking to Autumn, but I can’t help it.
    I should be going to class; I have less than a minute to be in my chair. And yet…instead I’m slowly letting my backpack slide to the ground and I’m sitting next to Autumn on the table so that we’re hip to hip. Neither of us says anything because it’s a bit awkward and I don’t know what to say that would be comforting. I don’t even know that my presence will do anything more than irritate her, but I have this gnawing need to make her feel better, and if this is all I can do…
    “It’s only been a week, but everyone’s talking about her like she’s some kind of ghost,” Autumn eventually says. “At first, our creative writing teacher asked every day if I would bring Callie her homework, and now he