The Bad Boy's Dance Read Online Free Page A

peaceful, at least until Spencer squeezed a wet sponge over my neck, making cold water and soap travel down my spine. “You butt-head!” I screeched, slapping at him like a frenzied chimp. He dodged my blows and laughed, popping a bubble in his palm.
    When my lids grew heavy, I bid my parents goodnight and stuck my wet pinkie in Spencer’s ear before heading to bed. Showering while I was tired was a real chore, but I didn’t want to go to school stinking like a compost heap.
    In a pair of my favorite PJ’s, I cuddled with my pillow and shut down my brain.
    “Please,” I whimpered. “C’mon. I know this isn’t you.”
    “How do you know who I am? Nobody knows! I don’t even know anymore!” he yelled, frenzied. His eyes burned with a dark light only the intensity of his self-hatred could produce.
    “I love you,” I whispered. It was never enough. It had never been enough.
    “No you don’t.” He crumpled to the ground, and my heart fractured. Ignoring the voice in my head that screamed at me to run, I crouched beside him and put my hand on his shoulder.
    “Don’t touch me!” Next thing I knew, I was flying through the air, and I heard the sound of glass breaking. Blood pooled on the ground, and my favorite vase lies in pieces. I’d gotten it for him as a housewarming gift.
    “Oh no! I’m so sorry, baby! I’m so sorry!” he crawled over to me and attempted to stop the flow of blood with his hand.
    Where was the love I felt for him? It wasn’t not there anymore. Now his touch filled me with revulsion, and I wanted nothing more than to go home and never see him again.
    But he needed me.
     
     
    Chapter Three
                     Lunch Room Showdown
     
     
     
    “MOVE IT! SHAKE YOUR SORRY KABOOSE!”
    My personalized alarm clock woke me up rudely. Groaning, I hauled the covers off and headed into the bathroom. After brushing my teeth and tying my hair into a loose bun, I dressed in a pair of jeans and an over-sized sweater. If Dana gave me crap, I’d tell her it was cold outside today.
    Dad and Mom had already left for work, so I grabbed a granola bar, hid the milk from Spencer, and vamoosed to my car.
    “Hey guys,” I greeted my friends when I picked them up. It was easy, since they were neighbors. It was a gift to us all when Dad bought me my car.
    “Why are you so chipper?” Dana complained, burrowing her face into the seat cushion. “It’s too bloody early to be going to the hellhole.”
    Caleb was texting on his phone, probably a fellow jock. We were his best friend’s but we did allow him to venture with his own gender every once in a while. “Only 169 more days to go,” he said helpfully. Not.
    I hunted for a parking spot and was almost late to first period. Bidding my friend’s goodbye, I ran off to Bio. Mrs. Peters was not tardy-friendly.
    The bell rang just as I slid into my seat. Victory!
    Mrs. Peters shot me a glare, and I sighed.
    This was going to be a long year.
    We were assigned partners, and the class dispersed to greet our new partners in crime for the year. Mine found me.
    “Hey!” Kyle slid into the seat beside me. “Thank God that you’re in this class. I don’t think I could bear it alone. Quick- give me one of those smiles.”
    I giggled. Kyle was an incorrigible flirt and Caleb’s good friend. He was also a senior, and very attractive with his washboard abs and twinkly hazel eyes.
    Nowhere near as good-looking as Asher Grayson though.
    Brain, please shut up.
    I wondered if talking to your brain counted as talking to yourself. If it did, then I might need to do something about that. I didn’t want a Lizzie McGuire mini-me in my head. I’d always thought that was a little freaky.
    “Ivy? Hello?” Kyle waved a hand in front of me. Oops.
    “Sorry, I zoned out for a minute.”
    “Daydreaming about my dreamy good looks?” he teased. I laughed. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all.
    Caleb and Dana met me at my locker third period. “Hey,” I