Split - A.M. Bryker (top 10 books to read TXT) 📗

I knew it has been absolutely corrupted. Nine

Bek

 

Wow. I didn't see that one coming.

     There I was, minding my own business next to my new locker, when suddenly a girl dropped her school books. Being taught by Kadon to help whenever possible (especially when it comes to girls), I hurried over and started picking up papers for her. Then we had both looked up, making eye contact, and time seemed to stand still.

     I thought that I must have been dreaming. But I wasn't. So why was she here? Last time I checked, this girl was in my head. I couldn't have made her real.

     But I can't express how glad I am that she's not just my imagination. She looks like a replica of Amaya, excluding her eyes. Even so, she is definitely more beautiful. And I finally know her name!

     You know how I said that I hate surprises? This is an exception.

     The only letdown is the fact that her looks remind me of Amaya, the one who caused Mayla’s death and tried to recruit—and then kill—me. That and I’m not sure that I want to get into a relationship with anybody here. I might have to leave unexpectedly and I wouldn’t be surprised if I got someone into a big mess with my world.

     Besides, I don’t even know if Jade is available. She could have a boyfriend that I don’t know about yet. It definitely wouldn’t surprise me. She’s too attractive not to be in a relationship.

     After a few minutes, Jade comes back from wherever it was she went and states, "Apparently, you're in most of my classes so I've been asked to show you around."

     "Oh, okay," I say. "Great."

     She leads me down the hall and to my first class—or, our first class—which is history.

     "You got lucky," she says. "There's an empty seat where Dillan used to sit, but he moved last week."

     I'm a little thrilled to see that the desk is next to hers, and the fact that she didn't sound too upset when she talked about Dillan leaving, whoever he is. I know I said I didn’t want to like her, but I’d rather sit with someone I know at least a little bit than a complete stranger.

     The time goes by quickly, probably because I'm extremely eager to learn about everything I can in this class. The bell rings and Jade leads me to our next class: algebra.

     By the end of that class, my head is reeling with numbers and formulas that I have no idea what to do with. I decide to shove the information into an unused corner of my brain for future reference.

     Next is biology. When we walk through the door, a guy saunters over to Jade and asks, "You ready for that test?"

     Could this guy be her boyfriend?

     She smiles, and I'm jealous that she's smiling at him and not me. "As ready as I'll ever be."

     I hear something in the tone of her voice. She sounds… reserved. But she makes her face look so open and pleasant. She hides her emotions well. Now I don't feel as envious toward the guy—that smile was too forced. Maybe she’s not attracted to him, but he’s definitely into her.

     "Jade," the teacher calls. "Come here, please. I need to speak with you."

     Jade glances at me, then obeys. I watch her face as she converses with the teacher, and I detect a hint of disbelief in her eyes. Other than that, her outward appearance is a constant façade displaying polite acceptance to whatever she is being told. She glances at me, then over at the other guy, who is now sitting behind one of the desks.

     When she looks back at the teacher, she nods. Then she comes back to me and says, "It looks like you're to be my new biology partner. My other one is being put with the new girl."

     She seems relieved, but at the same time, troubled. "Let's take our seats."

     There's nothing I'd rather do right now.

     Okay, that's a lie. But still.

     We sit behind our assigned desk and wait patiently for everyone else to do the same. I want to say something to her, but I don't know what. My mind has gone blank.

     The guy who had spoken with Jade earlier watches as the new girl sits beside him and then glances back at us. Then he's glaring at me. I try to ignore him, but it's a little difficult considering the fact that I can feel the anger and hatred emanating from him. I shrug my shoulders as if to say, "What? It wasn't my idea."

     Shaking his head slightly, he points at Jade and mouths the words: She's mine. Stay away.

     When he turns back around, I grin inwardly and think, In your dreams.

 

     At lunch time, I enter the cafeteria with Jade by my side. Or maybe I'm by hers. Whichever.

     "Would you like to sit with me?" She asks as we line up behind the other students getting their food.

     "Oh, yeah. That would be great." I try to keep my voice upbeat but not overly so.

     "I figured you would," she says, a dimple forming on her cheek.

     "Why's that?" I ask.

     "Well, you're kind of new here and probably don't know anyone, aside from me," she replies philosophically. "It's only logical to sit with someone you know, even if you don't know them very well."

     I say, "Good point. Where are we sitting then?"

     We reach the end of the line and she leads me to a table that occupies a space next to a window that looks out over the lawn, which is now being pelted with rain beginning to fall from the bloated clouds. A few people are already there.

     "This is Bek," Jade announces. "Bek, this is Cody"—she points to a guy with brown eyes and hair the color of sand—"Alexis"—this is a girl with blond hair and pretty blue eyes—"and Nikki." This girl has fiery red hair that compliments her hazel eyes.

     I give a little wave and a small smile before placing my food tray on the table. I quickly pull out a chair for Jade. She looks at me quizzically and I shrug. After a few seconds, she finally takes the seat and I sit down in between her and Nikki.

     We all begin eating. It's silent for a few minutes, until Cody asks, "So where are you from, Bek?"

     "L.A.," I reply, taking a bite out of a potato chip.

     "Do you like it there?" Alexis inquires.

     I shrug. "It's okay. However, so far I like it here better."

     I have to force myself not to glance at Jade. I don't want them to know that she's the only reason I would prefer here over L.A… excluding the fact that I've never been there and I have to look past the fact that she looks like a murderer I know.

     I wonder if I would have met Jade if I hadn’t encountered Amaya. Would Kadon have brought Mayla and me here soon after the other outlaws disappeared? Would Mayla still be alive if Amaya hadn’t interfered?

     Most likely.

Ten

Jadelynn

 

I find it very intriguing to listen as Bek answers everyone's questions. His accent fascinates me. A memory stirs in the recesses of my mind of a similar accent other than my own that I heard recently, but I ignore it.

     "What do you enjoy doing to pass the time?" Cody asks.

     A corner of Bek’s mouth pulls up almost secretively, and he replies, "I like to learn new things, whether it be from a book or some other source. If I'm not reading, you could probably find me outdoors doing something-or-other, like running."

     That's probably why he looks so fit. He passes the time by exercising.

     "And that's fun?" Alexis stares at him, unbelieving. She seems terrified at the thought that a teenager could take pleasure in voluntary exercise.

     He thinks about it for a few seconds, then replies, "Yup. It's saved my life on more than one occasion. The latest occurrence took place yesterday."

     Humor plays out in his eyes as he takes a drink of milk, so I dare to ask, "What happened?"

     Glancing at me, he answers, "I called my uncle a girl. It's pretty amazing how fast that man can run."

     I choke back a laugh, but everyone else bursts out laughing, save for Bek. He just smiles a little. I have the thought that I want to hear him laugh. And I want to be the one to make him do it.

     After a few minutes, Nikki speaks up. "So, how old are you, Bek?"

     Good question.

     "Seventeen."

     "Oh really? Jade is turning seventeen this weekend." She turns to me. "Isn't that right?"

     My eyes narrow slightly. Who is she to give out that information? I take a sip of my orange juice, not bothering to answer.

     She turns back to Bek. "In L.A., was there anyone you were particularly close to that you left behind? A girl, perhaps?"

     My eyebrows lift seemingly of their own accord, and I quickly lower them to their original position. Is she serious? Digging for information like that? Something tells me that I'm going to have a slight problem with Nikki if she continues to pursue Bek. Besides, why is she here in the first place?

     Oh yeah. She's a part of the popular clique and decided to sit with Alexis, a fellow member. Yeah, right. I can see right through her.

     Bek’s eyes cloud over with sadness, but he quickly covers it up and replies, "Yes."

     I can tell he’s not making that up, but there’s something he’s holding back. I don’t believe he left a girlfriend. However, judging by the sad look in his eyes, he did leave someone.

     One side of my mouth turns up triumphantly at Nikki's poorly concealed look of disappointment. In my periphery, I catch Bek stealing a glance at me before returning to his lunch.

     Unexpectedly, I have a feeling that this gorgeous guy sitting beside me is more than he looks. He's hiding something. Some sixth sense informs that it has to do with me. I am determined to figure out what it is.

 

     After lunch is French. It totally weirds me out that Bek has most of my classes. Not that I mind, but it's still unusual.

     Not much happens during French,