Free The New Girl by Cathy Cole Page A

new place, all Lila wanted was to feel normal. It would be so nice, just talking to someone who liked her. Someone she didn’t have to explain things to, or hide who she really was from.
    â€œFine,” she said, feeling a strange mixture of relief and guilt. “Let’s talk.”
    â€œI can’t stop thinking about you,” he said at once. “When can I see you?”
    Whoa! she thought, feeling alarmed. This was already getting out of hand. She should have hung up when she had the chance.
    â€œIt’s difficult,” she said helplessly. “I’m here, you’re in London. It’s over.”
    His voice caressed her. “Heartside is not so far away. I can come and visit. I like the sea.”
    â€œNo,” Lila said quickly. “That would be a really bad idea. My parents would kill me if they knew I was talking to you—”
    â€œWhy do they need to know?”
    She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. “This is a fresh start for me, Santiago. Don’t you understand? No more lies.”
    â€œThere’s a difference between lying and not saying anything at all, Lil. Meet me. Please?”
    A memory of Santiago’s dark, laughing eyes and thick ebony-coloured hair made Lila’s heart thud. They had spent some great times together. He was exciting and a little dangerous and for a while it had seemed so refreshing that he didn’t just follow the rules like everyone else. Maybe she could meet him. . .
    You’re Lila now, not Lil! she told herself with some desperation. She had to be strong.
    â€œNo,” she said. She felt calm again suddenly, knowing she’d made the right decision. “Please don’t call or text me again, Santiago. You know I can’t see you.”
    With the last threads of her resolve, she hung up. Then she turned the phone off completely and stuffed it deep into her pocket. It pushed against the notes from her locker, making them crinkle.
    She focused on her surroundings again, feeling dazed by the aching feeling in her heart. Realizing Josh wasn’t sitting by the pier any more, she checked her watch – and gasped. Class started in ten minutes. If she didn’t hurry, she would be late!
    This is your fault, Santiago! she thought angrily, running as fast as she could to the steps leading up from the beach to the road. He was still making trouble for her, even from a distance.
    Lila made it back into the reception area as the first bell went. She sped down the corridor, relieved that no one else was around, and threw herself through the door of her classroom just in time.
    â€œCutting it a bit fine, aren’t you?” said Polly as Lila collapsed, panting, in her chair.
    Lila paused. She still wasn’t sure how Polly felt about the way she had vanished with Ollie on Wednesday.
    Polly grinned, and Lila felt her shoulders drop in relief. Maybe they were OK after all.
    She was about to open her bag and pull out her books when one of the school secretaries put her head around the door.
    â€œCan Lila Murray go to the office, please?”
    There were a few mutters, and a couple of glances in Lila’s direction. Eve smiled sweetly and drew her finger across her throat. Panicking, Lila got to her feet. What had she done?
    Maybe I wasn’t meant to leave the school building at lunch , she thought nervously, following the secretary down the corridor. Had she broken a rule without realizing? She could imagine how well that would go down with her dad – especially this week. Josh must have told someone he’d seen her. But he wouldn’t do that, would he? You never knew, with Josh. If I’m not allowed on the beach in the day, then surely he isn’t either, she reminded herself, twisting her hands together as she reached the office door.
    â€œWait here, please,” rapped the secretary.
    She sank into a comfy chair. It probably wasn’t Josh. But being called