Read Online Trouble from the Start by Rachel Hawthorne - Free Book Online

She had a way of making me want to tell her things that I’d never told anyone. That could only lead to trouble.

Chapter 7
AVERY
    I didn’t know if Fletcher got the notice that we ate breakfast at our house, but he wasn’t there when I came downstairs and grabbed a yogurt. As a matter of fact, he wasn’t anywhere around and his bike was gone. I couldn’t imagine that he’d headed to school early. I told myself it wasn’t my business. Maybe he just had stuff to do.
    I arrived at school and pulled Trooper—the name I’d given my ancient car because it sounded like it was going to die at any moment but just kept plugging along—into a vacant slot near the back of the parking lot. I grabbed my backpack and walked along the cement path that led to the courtyard where a couple of fountains bubbled.
    I didn’t spot Kendall on her usual bench, getting in some last-minute kisses with Jeremy—because it was so awful not to be with him for three hours before lunch. So Istrolled on by. She was probably at her locker. That wasn’t too far from mine, and we usually met there to catch up before heading to our first class together. I wanted to tell her that I didn’t think Fletcher was as bad as we’d heard. As a matter of fact, I kind of liked him.
    Scooter stopped in front of me, blocking my path. “Hey, Avery.”
    His tone was inviting, friendly. It made me smile. I didn’t think he even knew who I was. I’d been at his party but that was because of Jeremy. “Hey, Scooter. Great party Saturday night.”
    His blue eyes twinkled. “Yeah, I heard you had a good time.”
    He was talking to someone else about me? He was one of the most popular guys in our class. I had to admit I was flattered. “Loads of fun.”
    He grinned broadly, his teeth such a bright white that I almost had to put on my sunglasses. “We should hang out sometime.”
    My jaw almost dropped. He sounded like he really meant it, that he wanted to spend some time with me. “That’d be fun.”
    He winked. “I’ll be in touch.” He walked off, those long legs that made him a star on the football field quickly putting distance between us.
    I stood there, trying to process what had just happened.From the moment I’d entered high school, I’d hoped to get some attention from guys. Now, right at the end, a guy was finally showing some interest.
    My step was a little lighter as I headed to the building that housed my locker. Wait until I told Kendall about this. She wouldn’t believe it.
    I was nearly to the door when a guy I didn’t know stopped walking and gave me a once-over like he was measuring me for a new outfit. Although he was cute, he made me feel a little uncomfortable. I reached for the door.
    â€œI’ll get that,” he said. Leaning in, he brushed his shoulder against mine as he pulled open the door. “Avery, right?”
    I blinked in surprise. “Right.”
    â€œI’m Josh.” He grinned. “See you around.”
    The door closed with us on opposite sides of it before I could ask, “Around what?” That encounter was a little odd. Although I was wearing a new blue top that Kendall had assured me was very flattering. . . .
    I’d taken four steps inside when Rhys Adams winked at me, like we shared a secret that no one else knew. Our star quarterback doesn’t normally wink at me. Maybe he just got something in his eye. Because three guys giving me attention was beyond weird.
    Jade—whom he usually winked at—narrowed her eyes at me, or so it seemed. No doubt her contacts weregiving her trouble. Or maybe she was still upset from our little encounter at the party. It was hard to tell with her. She seemed perpetually put out with something or someone.
    I’d almost reached my locker when Kendall practically barreled into me. “I told you that your reputation would be