Growing Up Dead by Chelsea M. Campbell

Author:Chelsea M. Campbell [Campbell, Chelsea M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Middle Grade, werewolves, bands, Young Adult, music, junior high, school, bullies, faeries, Friendship, teen fiction, mg, vampires, ya
Publisher: Golden City Publishing
Published: 2014-06-05T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

“NOX!” K.X. SCREAMS WHEN I climb back out of Chug’s window a couple minutes later. Her wings are buzzing, and she stops pacing and runs up to meet me, practically tackling me before I hit the ground. “Are you okay?” She gets a hold of herself, realizing that her behavior isn’t very librarian-like, and stands back to assess the situation. “No bruises,” she mutters, putting a hand to her chin. “Nothing visible, anyway. And you’re not bleeding. Not externally.”

“Thanks for your concern.”

“I am concerned.” She gestures to her face, which doesn’t look all that concerned to me. But I remember how she ran up to greet me just a moment ago, so I know deep down she cares. Probably. “So, how badly did he beat you?”

I swallow. All I want to do right now is get away from Chug’s house. I wish I was still speaking to Jordan. Okay, maybe I’m not officially not speaking to him, but I can’t talk to him like I used to. Not after he took over my band and stole my not-quite-girlfriend. That he knew I was pretty much in love with and have been for years. And I certainly can’t talk to him about how me liking said not-quite-girlfriend, who’s now his girlfriend, is causing me trouble.

If Jordan was here, he’d say I looked like I got Chugged, even without any sign of bruises. I’ve got that “someone just ruined my life” look—I can feel it.

“Well?” K.X. says as I stumble down the road from Chug’s house.

“He didn’t beat me up.” He shoved me up against the wall, and he laughed at me. A lot. But no beating.

“Oh.” K.X. sounds bored. I guess my suffering is only entertainment to her, and not a real cause for worry.

“It’s worse.” I pull the change out of my pockets and hand it to K.X. “Here. It’s what I borrowed from you.” I have to pay her back now, because I might not be around after tomorrow. I don’t want to die without squaring up my debts. “I don’t need to pay Chug anymore.”

“Nox...” She bites her lip. Her wings twitch, making a high-pitched squeal, but I don’t think she notices. “But... is he still going public on Friday? With the key chain?”

I shake my head. “No. It’s worse than that. He’s going public tomorrow, and there’s no way I can stop him. He doesn’t even want the fifty bucks anymore. And, even worse than that, I think he and Razor are conspiring against me. They wanted me out of the band.”

K.X. just stares.

“I overheard him on the phone with Razor. Razor borrowed money from Chug, so he could pull some stunt at the Pink Stripe Graveyard. He said—”

“Oh, no.” K.X. holds up a hand to stop me. “Listen, Nox, I hate to break this to you, but not everyone is conspiring against you.”

“I didn’t say everyone, just Chug and Razor—you know, my two worst enemies? Chug said something about Razor wanting a vamp-free environment. It’s got to be them.

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