Ghost Readers The City Workers Book 1

Chapter One

Jessica looked at the time on her cell phone as she ran out the front door. The wind whipped her brown curly hair around her face and glasses. As always, she was running late for school. She froze as the heavy wooden door slammed shut behind her, knocking into her backpack. She adjusted her blue hoodie as a text popped up on her cell. 

Hi, my name is Corey. Are you Jessica?

She frowned. Jessica did not recognize Corey's cell phone number. She shrugged on her backpack as she walked down the front steps, her fingers hovering over the letters to reply. Curiosity won out.

       Yes.
It annoyed Jessica that someone had her number that she did not know. She kept hitting send on her phone. Something was wrong with the thing.
It wouldn't send the text. She was tempted to shove her phone back into her jean pocket.

Good!
A shiver raced down her spine. How did he get her number? She had to know or it was going to bother her all day. Her thumbs flew over the screen.

How did you get my number, Corey?

She paused on the sidewalk, her heart racing as she waited. She was going to be really late for school. Still, it was like her cell wouldn't send the text. She was typing and Corey kept replying.

Someone taught me how to find people and text them on cell phones.

Someone was messing with her. They had to be. She worried her lip as she thought about what to say. She didn't normally talk to strangers on her cell.

So, you can see the words that I am texting without me sending it?

Yes.

Is this a joke?

No.

I don't have time for this.

I need help!

Jessica angrily hung up her phone and shoved it in her pocket. Her grandmother always said she should spend less time on it. Maybe she should. She hurried down the sidewalk to school. She couldn't be late again or she was going to have to stay after. Two blocks later, she was rushing up the steps of South Rogers High School. She pulled open the heavy wooden door and was immediately hit with the smell of pine, making her nose itch. The main hallway was crowded with kids heading from their lockers to class. She was so late. Jessica rushed passed the crowd of kids going to class and went to her locker at the end of the second hallway.

Jessica!''
The sound of her best friend's name rang happily in her ears, easing  the tension she felt so deeply inside. Marci slid up against her open locker, leaning back against it. Her long dark hair hung arrow straight down her shoulders. Her blue jean jacket was on trend and looked fantastic wither her black leggings.

You're late again.''
Jessica winced. ''I know."
Marci sighed. ''I thought you were going to set a second alarm."
She did. ''I did."
As she fumbled with getting her books, a note fell from the outside of her locker. It was as though someone had half shoved it into the vent to make it stick to her locker.

"What's that?" Marcia asked.
"I don't know."
Marci reached down and picked it up. "It looks like someone wrote you a letter."
"What?"
Jessica slid her gaze the letter in Marci's hand as she flipped it over inspecting it. As she looked at it, the hair stood on the back of her neck. "Who do you think it's from?" Marci asked.

She had a feeling she knew.  "I don't know." Jessica heart pounded as she reached for the letter, seeing who it was from.

"Well?"
"I know who it's from."
Marci's face was filled with excitement. "Are you going to tell me?"
She didn't want to deal with this today. Jessica's gripped the note tightly as she read it aloud ina whiny voice. "Dear Jessica. I'm sure you already know why you don't have a boyfriend. Everyone knows it's because you're the ugliest girl in school. No one could ever like you like that. See you in class. From, Linda."

Marci's face turned red with anger. "That girl is going to make me get suspended."
"Let it go. She's not worth it."
Jessica crumpled the letter before slamming her locker door shut. As she passed by a trashcan, Jessica tossed it inside. "It might be worth it," Marci whispered.
Jessica laughed at the possibility of getting even with her rival. "For sure."
As the second bell rang, they hurried down the hallway to their first class. "We better hurry!"