Shimmerspell (A Faerie Tale Girl Novella, #1)

Chapter Two

“Please tell me you’re free tonight,” Zoe said, leaning against the locker beside Jensen’s.

Surprisingly, they had both made it to school early, running into Zoe’s boyfriend Benji soon after. Jensen shoved some books into her locker, grabbed a water bottle, and pulled the cap off. “I don’t know yet. Why?”

“Three words. Horror movie fest at the Luxe Theater,” Benji answered, excitement blooming across his face. Sadly, that face was riddled with acne.

“That’s like seven words, you idiot.” Zoe shook her head and took a bite out of her Hello Kitty cake pop. “I’m sure it’s gonna be lame. All ketchup blood and fake sausage guts. You should come.”

“Yeah, it’ll be fun,” Benji added.

Zoe smacked his chest. “Fun to watch Benny here scream like a little girl. That’s always fun to me.”

Benji hunched his shoulders and laid his hand over hers. “How deeply you wound me.” Then before she could stop him, he grabbed her other arm and bit into her cake pop, leaving only a tiny piece behind.

Zoe’s eyes darkened. “Do you want me to kill you, Benjamin Stevens?”

He winced. “Sorry. It was an accident.”

“So you’re saying you accidentally ate my cake?” Her voice had gotten higher, squeakier.

He pouted and nodded. “I originally just intended to lick it.”

Jensen giggled and Zoe scowled, pinching her arm. “Don’t encourage him.”

The bell rang, signaling the start of first period and bringing an end to another funny episode of Zoe and Benji.

Jensen pulled the strap of her messenger bag over her shoulder. “Well, I guess I’ll see ya’ll at lunch.”

“Why of course, Jenny from the Block.” Zoe wrapped her arm around Benji’s, dragging him around the corner. “Come along Benjamin. We wouldn’t wanna piss off dragon breath again. And when lunch starts, you’re buying me a slushie to make up for being such a jerk-off.”

“Whatever you say, ma love.”

Thinking it best not to fall on her face today, Jensen crouched, tying her shoe. And that’s when she felt it. That strange feeling you get when you know without looking that someone, somewhere is watching you. Mouth wide open. Heavy breathing. Hand down pants. She had the creeps.

“Already friends with the wrong people I see.” The golden-haired boy leaned against the trophy case, his eyes fixed on her with the same ferocity from days before.

She straightened, raising her chin. “Funny, I don’t recall trying to be friends with you.”

He smiled then, though the severity of his gaze did not lessen. “You should stay away from them.”

“Really? I’m thinking I should stay away from you,” she replied, refusing to be bullied by anyone.

He shrugged. “You might be right. Question, who picked you up Friday?”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “My cousin, not that that’s any of your business.” And because it’s not your business, I have no reason to tell the truth.

Blue eyes churning, the boy stepped forward, closing the distance between them and blocking her path.

Jensen didn’t know how it happened, couldn’t recall who challenged whom. But one second they were talking and the next, somehow locked in the ultimate battle of wills. A staring contest. And lamely, she blinked first. “I should get to class.”