Soul Crossed Read Online Free Page A

doorway. Camden is half-hiding behind his back, though I note with some shock that he’s got his hair tucked back behind his ear. It’s a good look for him.
    Shelby and Fatmeh speed up and get to the boys before me. They are a couple of giggling hyenas and are all over Josh. Fatmeh elbows me in the waist, whispering, “Way to go, girl.”
    “Camden, Josh, this is Shelby and Fatmeh.” I do the necessary introductions.
    “Hi, Josh.” Shelby presses against him, and I’m embarrassed for her.
    “What grade are you in?” Fatmeh asks him.
    “Same as us,” I say, confused. “You don’t recognize him either?” I’m sure with radar like theirs they would have picked him up years ago. He looks intently at Fatmeh and then Shelby. They seem glued to him somehow.
    “Of course we’ve seen him, I just assumed he was older. I mean, look at him.” Fatmeh feels his bicep, and I roll my eyes. Maybe this is good. Maybe I can get Camden to myself for a while.
    “Camden and I are going to head over to the library,” I say, taking him by the arm.
    “I’m coming, too,” Josh says. He gives them each one more intense look, and they back off.
    “Well, we’ll see you tomorrow, then,” Shelby says. She looks surprised at the words that have just come out of her mouth. Josh falls into step with us on the other side of Camden.
    “Did you have a good first day?” I ask.
    “It’s b-b-been interesting,” Camden agrees, eyes narrowed in thought.
    “That’s great! I can’t wait to get some of this homework done. Maybe we can do something after?” I link my arm through his and turn on the charm. He glances quickly at Josh and nods, blushing.
    Josh scrutinizes me from behind Camden’s shoulder. His blue eyes are like glaciers for a moment, and I shiver. Maybe it’s my imagination. I lead the way into the library and start setting out my books. As I suspected he would, Josh grimaces at the sight of all that homework. Camden seems resigned, though, and we plunge right into geometry. It’s a no-brainer for me. I should be in calc this semester. But I push that thought aside and try to focus on asking for Camden’s help.
    We move on to Ancient History, and Josh keeps looking over at the reference section. When I follow his gaze, I find a striking girl, maybe eighteen years old, with black pixie-cut hair and skin the color of milk chocolate. I get that same tingling feeling when I see her that I get when I look at Josh, and I shift uncomfortably in my seat. What is up with that?
    She turns the corner and then hesitates with a come-hither look before disappearing behind a tall shelf. I turn to see if Josh will take the bait. He seems conflicted. I’m surprised that he hasn’t jumped up already, but I focus on my question about Pandora and how her curiosity caused her fall to temptation and open the box, releasing all the horrible things into the world. I’m supposed to compare her to Eve in the Garden of Eden. Frankly, I can’t understand why they were left with such easy access to something they wanted when it was forbidden anyway.
    Josh makes an excuse and leaves the table. I have no doubt as to where he’s really going.
    We’re finally alone. “So, Camden,” I say. “Tell me about yourself.”

Chapter 9
Josh
    She’s hot, and she’s totally checking me out. I notice the look on Grace’s face when I get up and follow the girl behind the shelf. I consider turning back, but can’t see the benefit to writing about Ancient History when I’m already dead. It’s not like I can corrupt the kid while he’s doing homework anyway, so I might as well have a little fun while I’m here.
    I round the last bookcase and find her waiting. She’s petite, but only in height—she’s packed into a tight red miniskirt and low-cut blouse that leaves little to the imagination. Her lips are full and look very soft. I want to suck on them.
    Apparently she feels the same, because without a word she pulls me down by the front of my