Free Forsaken by Kristen Day

recognized the street from when Kira and I had bounced down it last night. We passed by eclectic beach shops and restaurants, but I was too distracted to pay attention.  Even though I told myself not to, I couldn’t help scanning the crowds of people for a particular guy with dark hair and blue eyes.  I never thought he was…real.  But sure enough, he was there.  And he had saved my life.  I got a shiver as I thought about his blue eyes looking into mine and the water dripping off of his golden skin…
                  “Evil queen alert…” Phoebe interrupted my thoughts with a warning.  I followed her gaze to the two girls currently on a collision course with us.  If I had to guess, I’d say these were the be-otches.  They stopped in front of us, blocking our path.
                  “So who’s your new friend?” one of the girls purred.  She had hair blacker than night, dark smoky eyes, and appeared to have Puerto Rican or Dominican blood in her.  Her skin was the color of dark caramel and she reminded me of a panther watching its prey before it pounced. 
                  “This is Anastasia, our new roommate,” Willow announced, proudly, “Stasia, this is Olivia and Cassie.” She gestured at the other girl who paled in comparison to Olivia.  She had a slight figure and light brown hair cut into a long bob.  She gave me a tight smile. The panther girl looked me up and down, and then laughed.
                  “I seriously doubt that,” she smirked at me. “From what I could see this morning, you seriously need swimming lessons.” I felt my cheeks getting hot, but Carmen stepped forward so that she was face-to-face with Olivia.
                  “Don’t you have some puppies to slaughter or something?” She put her hands on her hips and raised an eyebrow.
                  “Isn’t she just delightful, Cassie?” A sarcastic smile slithered its way onto Olivia’s face. “Now if you don’t mind, we have more important things to do then waste our time talking to you.”  Carmen and Phoebe glared at their backs as they strode past us.
                  “Come on you guys, let them go – it’s not worth it.” Willow insisted, ushering us forward.  They turned around reluctantly, still scowling.
                  Once we arrived at Cinnabon, we ordered as many delicious, fattening things as possible and claimed a table near the window.  In the middle of one supersized cinnamon roll, I caught sight of Kira walking through the door.  I waved her down and she pulled up a chair.
                  “How’s your first day going s far?” She asked me.
                  “Well besides my eyes changing to a freakish color and the entire school watching as I almost drowned in the ocean, I can’t complain,” I snickered.
                  “I thought your eyes looked different,” she leaned in for a better look, “and please tell me you’re joking about that last part.”
                  “I wish I was.  It was so embarrassing, Kira.  Everyone was watching!  So much for making a good first impression.” I looked down at my hands and ran my finger over my trace.
                  “Everyone will forget about it by tomorrow, don’t worry,” she said sympathetically. 
                  “I could hold Phoebe under water and then pretend I’m saving her life?” Carmen suggested. “Then we’ll be the talk of the school,” she cut her eyes at Phoebe, “but I’m not doing mouth to mouth.”
                  “Oh, no you don’t.  If anybody’s pretending to save a life, it’s gonna be me,” She pointed at Carmen with an icing covered finger. “Besides, I have a camera ready face.” She batted her eyelashes and we all erupted with laughter.
                  I turned to face Kira, “So why didn’t you