Unspoken (The Lynburn Legacy 1)

“Come on,” said Kami. “You know Holly. Didn’t you tell me you sat together in science class once?”

“When we were fourteen. I doubt she even remembers my name,” Angela hissed. “And that new boy is crazy. Which reminds me: I want my explanation!” She glared across the room at Jared, who was sitting behind Kami’s desk.

Jared eyed her back as if she was some sort of challenge.

I beg you not to throw down with Angela, said Kami.

I know you want us to get on, Jared replied. But—

She’ll beat you down until you cry. I’ll be so embarrassed for you.

Holly was sitting on Kami’s desk, her apple on top of Kami’s computer. She misinterpreted Angela’s glare entirely.

“This is Jared Lynburn,” she said helpfully. “Angie Montgomery. We used to sit together in science class when we were fourteen.” Holly smiled. “It was always fun because the boys were sometimes so busy looking at our desk they walked into walls.”

Angela scoffed, but the tips of her ears went a little pink.

“Jared,” Angela commented. “Like the imaginary friend you have, Jared?”

“I used to have an imaginary friend when I was seven,” Holly contributed. “A unicorn called Princess Zelda.”

Kami gave Angela a wide smile. “Isn’t that a coincidence?”

Angela spared a glare for Kami, and then resumed her marathon glaring session at Jared. “I’m not calling you that,” she announced flatly. “It’s too weird. I’m going to call you Carl.”

Jared scowled. “I don’t want you to call me Carl.”

“That’s interesting, Carl,” said Angela, cheering up.

This distracted her from holding Kami penned up in a corner, so Kami ducked under Angela’s arm to freedom. She surveyed her headquarters with satisfaction: bright lamps and shining desks and good people. You could take over the world from a headquarters like this. “Be a lady, Angela,” she said. “No assaulting anyone until you get to know them.”

“But I already feel so close to Carl.”

“You’ll feel closer to him after the interview,” said Kami, flipping open her notebook and turning to a blank page.

Jared grinned at her and leaned his elbows on the table. “Hit me.”

“What are you doing here?” Ash’s voice rang out. He stood in the doorway, looking like Kami imagined the angel guarding at the gate of Eden must have looked at the moment he realized that the serpent had gotten past him.

Jared stood up. “I write for the school paper now.”

Kami and Angela made a mutual low sound of incredulous protest.

Jared glanced over at Kami and nodded, with sudden decision. “Yes,” he proceeded. “That’s it. I’m very interested in affairs.”

Ash’s lip curled. “What do you mean ‘affairs’?”

“Current ones,” said Jared.

“Someone tell me this is a joke,” said Ash, and cast an appealing look at Kami.

Jared swung out from behind the desk to stand in front of Kami. “And about that,” he continued. “Now that Kami and I have met, she likes me better than you. So you can leave.”

Kami made another involuntary sound of protest.

Jared wheeled around. “What?” he demanded, eyes resting on her again with that insistent, intent look. “You do, don’t you? Kami. You do.”

Angela strode out from her corner and gave Jared a solid push in the chest. “Look,” she said. “Even if Kami said you could write for the paper, which I highly doubt she did, we run it together. So we both decide who writes for the paper, and so far, I think you’re obviously unsuitable, due to the fact that you’re obviously unstable. Give me one reason to keep you around.”