Assured Destruction Read Online Free Page B

but only part of me hates Ellie for these remarks. I tolerate her because she is “Tule”—read Tool—on Shadownet and I let everyone trash-talk her. She’s also handy for social reasons. I know she thinks we compete, but we were best friends in elementary school and so hang out with some of the same people. We have a history that ensures I can be with the “in” group, and I admit it I want this sometimes. Especially when a certain boy is around.
    “Is that why you’re wearing those clothes?” Hannah asks Ellie. “Because all your nice ones are gone?”
    And when Hannah says this, I laugh. Ellie’s jaw makes a cracking sound as it drops.
    “They’re not bad—just rumpled,” Hannah continues as Ellie lets out an indignant huff and shoves past me. Hannah stays on the steps, looking pained. Ellie doesn’t handle insults well, and drawing attention to her ragged appearance isn’t smart.
    I knew Ellie was on vacation; I had her father’s receipts for the flights. He dropped off her hard drive four months ago and from it rose: The Tule. It reminds me that Ellie now has a perfect excuse not to hand in her essay on time. Pretty and lucky. I hate her a little more. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be robbed and to lose Shadownet, though—like losing limbs.
    #Endoftheworld is here—I’ve lost all my clothes, they even took my makeup, Tule tweets, and it makes me feel better.
    Before heading to class, I call home to check in on my mom; she has good days and bad days. Today is a good day and that lifts my spirits too. The school is abuzz, but the bell rings and I don’t have a chance to talk to anyone to find what about.
    Math test is a snap, and by the time lunch arrives, I’m eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
    Karl steps into the cafeteria, and I finish my bite, carefully scraping all the peanut butter off my teeth with my tongue. Karl may have a crappy name, but his muscles bulge in places that no other sixteen-year-old’s do. I’ve always been jealous of his relationship with Ellie; they’re not boyfriend-girlfriend, they’re closer than that. Like brother-sister, always looking out for one another. He’s staring at me with sea-colored eyes. My thoughts aren’t very sisterly. If he has a peanut allergy, I’m prepared to kill him in order for our lips to touch.
    “Hey, Ellie.” He waves, and I realize he’s not looking at me, but through me. “Heard about the robbery.” His hair is so blonde it’s almost white. “Need another set of hands to clean up?”
    I clear my mouth of the last of the peanut butter. “I’ll help too, Ellie, if you need someone.” I can’t believe I just offered to clean Ellie’s house, using time I don’t have, helping someone I’m not sure I like.
    “Thanks anyways, Jan,” Ellie says, “but I can’t pay anything.”
    Back up, sister. This chick is always talking about how poor I am. I smile broadly. “I’ll wave my usual fee, just for you.”
    “Then—?” Her smile widens as she looks to Karl. “Oh.” And with a smug look, she gives him a great, long hug and peck on the cheek of thanks. “Looks like I have all the help I need.”
    Tool. Tool. Tool! I can think of worse words and I’m about to voice my opinion when someone screams: PIGS!
    I duck before realizing that I’m not actually doing anything illegal.
    Two police officers enter the cafeteria and stand before Harry Giannopoulos, a short junior with enough curly brown hair to make his head look like a mushroom cap. Harry also happens to be my Hairy on Shadownet. I can’t hear what the police say, but if Harry has the right to remain silent, he sure doesn’t use it.
    “I didn’t post naked pictures,” Harry says, afro bobbing at the policeman’s shoulder. “I didn’t! I didn’t do it. She’s my girlfriend!”
    It’s quite the show. Easily a hundred kids are gawking, standing on tables, many taking pics with their smartphones. I take one myself. I’ll let Heckleena have