Page 9 of Poison Touch

“Ow! What was that for?”

She yanks on his plaid scarf, lowering him to her height. “You already have a best friend!”

Apparently, I just unintentionally stepped into a pile of BFF crap.My agenda for the day is already going to shit.

The guy who wants to be my new bestie pulls himself free. “Damn, girl! You know I’m not replacing you, but this diva just told off Venom. And not just any viper of Venom—buttheViper.”

Well, shit me. Knowing I truly and ultimately fucked up, I want to cave in on myself. In the span of five minutes on campus, I managed to become prime prey for the ones I intended to stake out and take down.I really suck at staying invisible.The slight unease that ate up my calm from earlier is now pleasantly feasting on the fraying ends of my nerves.

Still gushing over my lapse in judgment, the guy says, “Eden, you should have seen it. It was the most epic thing to happen in this place in, like, forever.”

“I didn’t have to see it. She’s the topic of every conversation I pass.” She turns to look at me. “If I were you, I’d keep your head down and don’t talk to a soul as you head to class as quickly as your Docs can carry you.”

“I’m Bryce, by the way,” the guy says. He nods toward his so-called bestie. Dropping his voice, he whispers, “That’s Eden. She comes off as a rather bitchy nerd, but she’s cool.”

I stifle a chuckle. “Thanks for the heads-up.”

Eden goes to slap him again but pauses, hand in mid-air, as a small woman approaches. “Ah, Ms. Bass.”

“Eden,” the woman with a silver high-set bun says. With the added frown on her thin red lips, she clearly didn’t miss Eden’s intention of assault.

“Yes, ma’am.”

The way in which Eden and Bryce back down, the no more than five-foot woman, is packed with intimidation. She turns to me. With a soft voice, she says, “Have a good day, dear.” Then, she shuffles away.

“Thank you,” I mutter.

“I’m out, too,” Bryce says. “See ya later, new girl.” He hands a paper bag to Eden. “Breakfast. It’s your favorite, a blueberry muffin. And not that I should have to say it, but you’ll always be my first bestie.”

A thin smile cracks along Eden’s mouth as she takes the bag. To me, she asks, “Where are you headed?”

During my short run-in with Bryce and Eden, the halls had come alive. Most everyone is too caught up in their own circle of friends and passing around the gossip about the girl in the parking lot to take notice of me. “Fine arts building.”

Eden nods. She’s more guarded than Bryce. That’s probably why they get along. They balance each other out, like Luca and me. However, Bryce seems to be a fan of my untamed mouth.

“Your class is on the way to mine. I’ll show you where it is.” She doesn’t look upset, so I consider this a good sign. “I’m Eden,” she offers.

“I kind of caught on to that from your BFF.”

She gives a small laugh. “Bryce is a great guy, a bit eccentric, but great. We’ve been friends since third grade.”

“Anyone who brings you breakfast is golden in my book.” I grab the pack of gum from the front pocket of my backpack. Unwrapping a piece, I put it in my mouth, then offer the pack to her.

“No thanks.” Eden tucks strands of blue hair behind her ear, which is lined with studs, and holds up the paper bag. “I’m going to eat?—”

Her words are cut short when an already familiar voice sounds behind us. “Hey, Ninja.”

I slow my pace and turn to see the Venom crew heading right toward us.

Ninja… cute nickname.He has no idea how perfectly it fits me.

3

EDGE

The new girl has balls.Unlike most girls here at Monarch who fall at my feet and will doanything, anywhere for me, she basically told me to fuck off to my face, then simply walked away. Not only did she get my attention but she snagged the rest of the school’s as well with that stunt.

Gunner, one of the twins, props his arm on my shoulder as we walk down the hall. “So, what are you going to do with the new hot little heathen?”