Ghost Readers The City Workers Book 1

Chapter Two

Jessica and Marci slid into class just as their teacher was going to shut the door. They went for their seats in the back of the classroom. As they did, Jessica saw Linda sitting at the front, giving her a look that turned into a knowing smile. "Hi, duck," Linda said. "Did you hear anything?" Marci asked. "It sounded like a dog barking."
Jessica smiled inwardly, loving how Marci was standing up for her. "I didn't hear a thing."
As Jessica sat down, she was glad to have the distance between her and Linda. The girl only wanted to make problems for her.
"I hope we get our grades back on that final," Jessica whispered.
"I know that I didn't pass."Marci sighed, dropping her chin on her hand."I'm going to be so grounded this weekend and have my phone taken away."
Jessica felt her pain. "That would be the worst weekend ever." Problems seemed to follow her friend around. She glanced at Marci as their teacher went to take attendance. "Do you still have to meet with the principal after school?"
"Yeah, don't remind me."
Our English teacher, Mr. Thomas, moved around the room, passing out our grades papers. Jessica nervously worried her lip. Please let me have a good grade this time. She watched as Marci's paper was flipped onto her desk face down. Jessica's was next. She didn't bother looking up at Mr. Thomas as he placed her paper on her desk.
Marci whipped her paper over like she was ripping off a bandaid. " I got a D-."
Holding her breath, Jessica flipped over her paper. "Yes," she whispered. "I have an A+."
Without warning, Linda was hovering over her shoulder. Jessica never saw her move.
"Well, Jessica...at least you have a brain if nothing else going for you."
Linda had purposely made her comments loud enough for those around her to hear. The class started laughing. Jessica sunk down in her seat, dying from embarrassment. She felt her face flame as her eyes burned with unshed tears. She would not cry.
Mr. Thomas turned toward Linda .
"Ms. Emmons, you have detention after school."
Marci's face lit up as she laughed hard at Linda. "Brilliant!"
Mr. Thomas shot Marci down with a look. "You'll be joining her in detention."
"What?" Marci asked.
"You heard me," Mr. Thomas said, walking toward the front of the room.
"Thank you," Jessica whispered as she glanced at her best friend. "Sorry."
She waved her off with a hand a roll of her eyes. " Worth it."
Class moved by in a blur. All Jessica could think about was the strange text messages she got earlier. Temptation had her wanting to check her phone, but she knew she shouldn't. Before she knew it, the bell rang and class was over. Marci and Jessica got up in unison and gathered their books. They didn't make it far before Linda blocked them to the next pencil sharpener. Linda leaned in close. "You're going to pay for this."
Jessica felt her mouth drop open. She was serious-seriously blaming her for this. "Whatever, Linda." Marci folded her arms. "Try it."
Surprise moved over Linda's face as her two best friends moved up behind her. By the way they were dressed, they looked like triplets. Short skirts, expensive clothing, and high-end attitudes they inherited from their parents.
"You are pathetic," Linda said.
"Why are we even talking to her?"
"Yeah, let's go."
The triplets moved away in a wave of popularity that Jessica new she would never experience.
Marci caught her eye. "You okay?"
She wasn't but she gave a half smile. "I will be." "Come on. We're going to be late for our next class," Marci said.