Free Feudlings by Wendy Knight Page B

she asked, her eyebrows drawing together as she picked at her nails.
    "You're mad too."
    "Nope." Her silver eyes sparkled as she glanced up at him. "I don't know why she makes Hunter so angry. Maybe because she's gorgeous and intimidates him. Not much does."
    Shane stared ahead at beige corridors, but didn't see them. "She's different, Charity," he said, bouncing the back of his head off the wall a few times.
    "Shane, I can't help but wonder… and don't take this the wrong way, but is she different because she's hasn't jumped at the chance to go out with you?"
    Shane blinked in surprise. His mind traveled back to the first time he had seen her, under the ladder, unconscious and bruised. And yet, she had been the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. And then he jumped to when he had seen her in the hall the first day of school.
    The world had stopped.
    Time had stopped.
    Nothing had existed but her, and it had taken everything he had to even attempt to not be a blathering moron.
    Returning to Charity, he shook his head. "No. That isn't it."
    Charity studied him for long seconds, searching his face. Even if she couldn't see him using her gift, she could still see more of him than anyone else. Coming to some internal conclusion, she nodded, "Okay," and turned to walk away.
    "Okay?" he asked, baffled, pushing away from the wall.
    "Yep." And she continued walking.
    ****
    "Hey Shane!" a boy named Conner yelled at him over the noise as he walked into the crowded lunch room. He hadn't gone to walk Ari to class or met her before lunch. He was half-hoping it would appease Hunter, but he knew better. Hunter didn't like Ari, and the only thing that would make him happy was if Ari was out of the picture. And Shane just didn't think he could do that.
    He stifled a sigh as he realized a whole table full of guys was watching him like he was crazy. "Hey, Conner. What's up?" He attempted to force a smile.
    He glanced across the lunch room to his table, where Hunter had watched him walk in alone, eyebrows raised in mild surprise. Nev sat next to him and she also watched Shane, except she was frowning. Charity was just setting her tray down but as usual, she didn't seem surprised about anything.
    "Uh, Shane?" Conner asked again.
    "Sorry. Rough morning." Shane dropped down in an empty seat and rubbed the back of his neck.
    "I was saying we're playing some two-hand touch football after school. Are you and Hunter in?"
    Shane again looked over at Hunter, who was still watching him. "I'll have to ask Hunter but I'm in. Sounds great," he said with forced enthusiasm, getting up to go get his lunch.
    Ari had just walked in the cafeteria, and as usual, the room went silent for a few seconds. She was that stunning. And Shane was sure she had no idea. She assumed everyone was staring at her because she was the new girl. He stopped behind her in line.
    "Hey stranger," she said with an arched brow.
    "Sorry. I've been stuck in classes," he lied, and then wasn’t sure why he hadn’t just told her the truth.
    She smiled. "I told you I didn't need help finding my classes, Shane. I only got lost once, and that was because I stopped to tie my shoe and the halls changed places on me."
    Livi, who was standing next to her, giggled. "You're wearing boots, Ari."
    "Yeah. I decided those laces had to go." Ari smirked as she moved forward to get her food.
    "Did you really get lost?" Shane frowned. Her lips turned up as she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, but she didn't answer.
    As they walked to their table and toward a scowling Hunter, she asked, her voice low, "Are you okay?"
    "Yeah. Sure. Why?" He glanced at her, surprised, as he navigated around tables and the crowds of students without spilling his tray.
    "You're just acting kinda… down. I haven't heard one lame joke since you walked up." Her face broke into a teasing grin, but he could see it. Underneath it all, she might actually care.
    He perked up, just a little, his eyes brightening. "Yeah,