Vicious Little Darlings Read Online Free Page B

feel.”
    â€œIt’s no big deal,” I say, hoping she’ll drop the subject before I start feeling guilty. The last thing I want is for Maddy to feel sorry for me when she’s the real orphan. Plus, she’s got a dumb ass for a boyfriend. She deserves my sympathy.
    â€œAre you a scholarship student?” Agnes asks, squinting at me as if I’m some kind of alien.
    My ears grow hot. “No.”
    I look down, not wanting her to see the lack of privilege and breeding in my eyes. But, like a bloodhound, she keeps sniffing, keeps searching my face for clues. I want to ask her why she’s such a bitch—does it come naturally to her or did it take years to cultivate?
    â€œWho’s paying for your education?”
    My God, she just won’t quit.
    â€œAgnes,” Maddy scolds, “you’re being nosy.”
    â€œIt’s okay,” I say. “I don’t mind.” But I do mind. I contemplate telling them the truth: about Nana, about our life in California and how Nana used up a large chunk of her savings to pay for my education, not because she cares about me, but because she wanted to get rid of me. But I can’t make myself say the words. I won’t be bullied by this spoiled brat no matter who her dad is, so I say, “My parents left me some money.”
    â€œOh.” Agnes looks bored as hell. “So, what made you decide to come to Wetherly?”
    Brad’s naked body pops into my mind. But instead of telling her about the stupid incident that led me here, I just shrug.
    Agnes smirks. Whether she’s impressed by my apathy or simply annoyed, I can’t tell. She glances at Maddy. Something passes between them, but I’m not sure what it is. It seems like all night they’ve been mostly communicating nonverbally. It’s like one can give the other a look and the other will know exactly what she’s thinking, the way twins do. Or lovers. I envy their closeness. What would it be like to have a best friend who knows everything about me and still likes me? I chew on a fry while contemplating this.
    â€œYou’re from California,” Agnes says.
    â€œHow’d you know?” It was naive of me to think the interrogation was over.
    â€œYour accent gave you away.”
    â€œShe doesn’t have an accent,” says Maddy.
    â€œYes, she does. It’s part Valley Girl, part surfer.” Agnes snickers. We make eye contact. “Are you from Los Angeles?”
    I nod, not sure where she’s going with this.
    â€œI knew it,” she says, beaming.
    I roll my eyes, but Agnes is too busy giving Maddy another nonverbal cue to notice. Then she touches Maddy’s hair and leans in to whisper something in her ear. To me, it sounds like, “See? I’m psychic too.”
    Is she mocking me?
    Maddy responds by giving Agnes a shove, and then the two of them burst into giggles like children.
    â€œSo what did you say to Bobby to make him leave?” I finally ask.
    Agnes stops laughing. “Who?”
    â€œBobby. The guy at the bar.”
    â€œOh, him . I’d rather not say.”
    â€œTell her,” Maddy says, sending Agnes another telepathic signal.
    Agnes glances back at Maddy and then at me, and leans forward. She motions for me to do the same. She covers her mouth like she’s going to whisper the answer and then … nothing.
    I wait, craning my neck further.
    Finally, Agnes whispers, “Boo.” She laughs hysterically.
    I shrug and act like I don’t care, but all I can think is: bitch.
    â€œThat was mean, Agnes,” says Maddy. “Stop joking around. Tell Sarah what you said, what you always say when you’re in trouble.”
    Agnes shrugs. “Fine.” She looks me in the eye. “I told him I had a gun in my purse and that I wasn’t afraid to use it.”
    â€œAnd he believed you?” I ask.
    â€œWhy wouldn’t he?” Agnes says. “It’s true.