Shattered: A Salvation Society Novel by Bella Emy (pdf to ebook reader .TXT) 📕

Erin and I exchange a glance as Mr. Cole walks closer to the table. Shit’s about to hit the fan.

He crosses his arms across his chest and stares at Kennedy up and down. “You are not allowed to use that language EVER. Do you hear me, Kennedy Cole?”

Kennedy’s head hangs low. “Yes, Daddy.”

“As for the way you spoke to your sister, that was uncalled for as well. She’s just looking out for you like I asked her to.”

Kennedy’s eyes lift up to look into her father’s face. “What?”

He nods. “Up to your room, miss. You’re grounded.”

Kennedy scrunches her facial features like she’s having a hard time understanding. “Grounded? For what?”

“Don’t question your father, Kennedy. We have been worried about you. Not answering your phone when you were supposed to be here hours ago? What do you think this is, young lady?” Mrs. Cole intervenes, stepping forward.

“But Mom, I—”

“Not another word, Kennedy. Up to your room,” Mr. Cole says. “And as far as your little friends go, you’re no longer allowed to hang out with them. Straight home after school. Your phone will be turned off for a week,” Mr. Cole adds.

“This is so unfair!” she fights back.

“Two weeks!” he says.

Kennedy opens her mouth to protest, but thankfully, she doesn’t. I can only imagine how much longer he would have added to her punishment if she had said anything more. Instead, she marches up the stairs past both of her parents.

Chapter Eleven

Friday night has finally arrived. I can’t say I’ve been counting down the minutes, but okay, I’ve been counting down the minutes. Why am I trying to lie to myself? It’s all I’ve been thinking about. The fact that I may be seeing Kalen tonight is getting me so anxious. Seeing him in the halls for a few minutes here and there every day kind of sucks. I wish he’d talk to me again so badly, but it’s my own fault for pushing him away.

But every time I see him, looking even more gorgeous than the day before, it makes me realize just how much I want to talk to him and be with him.

Tonight could be the first time I see him for longer than just a few moments. And since Jason and Erin are going to be hanging out afterward, maybe Kalen will go along, too, and then I’ll be able to join them without it being weird. We’re all just friends hanging out.

I take a deep breath getting myself mentally prepared for our upcoming routine in just a few minutes. I go through each of the steps in my mind one last time to make sure I don’t make a complete fool of myself. I don’t see him in the crowd, but the bleachers are full of Tranquility Creek students waiting on tonight’s festivities to begin. To the right, a few jocks from the freshman team, sit next to their teammates waiting for the varsity team to come out. They toss a football up in the air, passing the time. To the left, a few of the school’s sleaziest girls gossip and stare at someone to the side.

I follow their eyes and then I see it. The subject of their conversation: Kalen Starling. Of course, they’re talking about him. And now it makes sense. They’re not making fun of him. Instead, they’re gawking at him.

I knew it would be just a matter of time before something like this would happen. He’s just too good looking.

Suddenly, Cynthia Jenkins, the school’s biggest whore rises from her seat and begins walking over to him. She’s taller than most girls and slender. Who am I kidding? Cynthia could pass for a model, so of course, she’s very popular with the boys in our school. Her hair is long and wavy, and her eyes are the color of the ocean. She’s fucking beautiful; why would Kalen stop himself from talking to her?

I stay hidden from behind the door to the entrance of the gym but keep my eyes glued on her to see what she’s going to do.

As she reaches him, her flirtatious eyes and giggle make him smile back. I frown as she smiles at him and offers him her hand. My stomach is in knots, and I feel like I want to puke. How can I possibly go out onto the middle of the gym floor and go through the entire routine without tossing my cookies?

Cynthia flutters her eyelashes, and then Kalen looks away. I make sure to stay away from sight as he scans the gym. What is he searching for? Damn, she’s got pretty eyes and lashes. I wish mine looked like that. They look like they’re about to take flight.

Her blue eyes shimmer in the gymnasium lights as she winks and turns her body completely toward Kalen.

This is it. This is the moment I lose him to her. Lose him? Ugh. Listen to me talking like I have him. We’re barely friends, and the way I’ve been so distant to him, we’re practically nothing to one another.

I hate myself for not being more forward with him. I hate myself for not being as flirtatious as Cynthia Jenkins and just going for the guy I want.

Suddenly, I see Kalen shaking his head as if saying no. Cynthia pouts her full lips, tilting her head to the side. I seriously wish I could hear what’s going on right now. I would love to know what she just asked him and what he turned down.

She crosses her arms across her huge chest and in a voice loud enough for the whole state of California to hear, she says, “Forget you, Kalen. You are not worth it!” She spins around on her heels and storms off to her group of hoochies. I have to cover my mouth with my hand to stifle my laughter. That was epic and it gripped the whole attention of the school. I know she’s pissed right now, and by the