The Better to Bite Read Online Free

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    The juniors and seniors had the “privilege” of eating behind the school on non-rainy days. There were plenty of picnic-type tables out there, and by the time I came out with my tray of ambiguous goodness, the tables had already started to fill.
    So where was I supposed to go?
    “Hi,” a soft voice said from behind me.
    I glanced back, being sure to put my fake, I’m-happy-to-be-here smile on my face.
    Another girl smiled tentatively back at me. That girl—she’d been in my chemistry class. Blonde, with big, light blue eyes, she’d blushed every time Mr. Kennedy called her name.
    “You can sit with me, if you want,” she said. “I’m Jenny, Jenny Hollow.”
    “Thanks.” My smile felt genuine then. “I’m Anna.”
    “I know.” She inclined her head to the right, to the closest, empty table. “You’re the only new girl in the junior class. Most folks here know who you are.”
    We sat down at the table. I wanted to scarf my food—disgusting as it looked—but I could pretend to be a lady. So I just took a deep gulp of my soda.
    “You’re really from Chicago?” Jenny asked as she scooped up a fry. I thought it was a fry anyway. “That is so cool.”
    Parts of it were cool. The killers and the blood-not so much.
    I scooped up some food.
    “Bet coming here was a major disappointment for you.” Her wide eyes watched me. “I mean, everyone I know wants to get out of Haven.” She shook her head. “Folks don’t want to stay here forever.”
    That’s because those folks didn’t know what waited outside the town. And it was a pretty town. Nestled right inside the mountains. Surrounded by all those green—and wolf-filled—woods.
    I shrugged. “I didn’t mind the move.”
    Troy came out then, but he wasn’t alone. Another guy strolled at his side, one with a rich, golden tan. Mr. Tan glanced my way. His hair was wavy, light blond, and he smiled, flashing dimples.
    “
OhmyGod.”
Jenny’s voice was a high-pitched whisper. How weird was that? I hadn’t even known whispers could get that high note. “Brent Peters just smiled at you.”
    She said that the way a preacher might say, “The Lord is with us today.” All excited.
    I took another sip of soda. “Uh, okay.”
    Her hands slapped on the table, and she leaned toward me. “Don’t you know who he is?”
    I shook my head.
    “He’s quarterback! Hottest guy ever!”
    Well, he was pretty cute and all but—
    “And he smiled at
you!”
She bit into another fry. How come her meal actually looked like a meal and mine looked like slop? “Valerie is going to freak if she catches him flirting with you.”
    I glanced back toward Brent’s way. The chick I’d seen in the hallway that morning, the one with the blond hair and the not-smile, not-glare had just come up and wrapped her arms around Brent. “I’m guessing that’s Valerie?”
    “Um…Valerie Tyler’s a senior, but he’s so totally date worthy that she went lower classman.”
    My head started to ache. I wasn’t so much into the whole gossip and dating scene. But a girl had to make friends when the sheriff ordered her to do it.
    I put down my drink. “Let me take a stab in the dark here. I’m betting Valerie’s a cheerleader, right?” I knew this game. Cheerleaders always dated the quarterbacks. I figured that was some kind of rule.
    Jenny nodded eagerly. “I think she’s captain.”
    I laughed. I couldn’t help it. The smile was still on my face when I glanced up and saw Rafe. His eyes locked with mine, and my heart did a fast gallop in my chest.
    Down girl.
    He had his buddies around him again. What was with the guys in this school? Did they all move in packs or what? Whistling, bleached blondie was on his left and another boy with jet-black hair and what looked like nearly black eyes stood on his right.
    I expected Rafe to turn away again. Because I expected it, I looked away first and said something I can’t even remember to Jenny. But whatever I said, it made her laugh