The Collector Read Online Free Page B

staring at what’s left of my food—which is most of it—when Charlie gets up from the table. She picks up her tray, and I think she’s about to put this garbage where it belongs. But she dumps the leftovers into napkins and stuffs them into her backpack. I can’t even stomach eating this junk, and she’s going to repurpose it as a midday snack.
    Annabelle stops discussing last night’s Knicks game with Blue and glances up at Charlie. “You going where I think you’re going?” Charlie bites her plump bottom lip. Annabelle nods. “That’s what I thought.”
    I bump Charlie’s hip with my shoulder, and she glances down at me, startled. “Where you going?” Charlie pulls in a breath but doesn’t say anything. “Come on. Spit it out.”
    Blue shoots me a look of warning, and I’m wondering what he and his hundred-pound-self are going to do about my attitude. This may be my assignment, but it doesn’t mean I have to be all excited about it. In fact, it’s probably better I’m not.
    “I was going to stop by the journalism room.” Charlie says it so quietly I cock my head to hear her. I hate mumblers. I’ve had enough with Blue and his ever-present mumbling already. We don’t need two spineless people at this table.
    “Speak up, Charlie,” I say. “If you have something to say, then say it out loud.” Blue huffs from between gritted teeth. I meet his eyes and raise my eyebrows. He holds my glare for a moment longer than I expected he would, then glances down. That’s what I thought.
    Charlie sticks her chin out and says louder, “I’m going to the journalism room to watch the broadcast.” She nods. “Yeah.”
    I smile at her and stand from the table. “Well, let’s get crackin’.”
    “You want to come?” she asks, her eyes round and vulnerable.
    “Sure, why not? What else do I have to do?” Besides seal your soul and drag you to hell.
    “Great!” Charlie gives her friends an OMG! He’s coming with me! look and glances back in my direction “It’s on the other side of the building near the gym. We can just…walk from here.”
    As opposed to taking a train?
    People watch as Charlie and I weave our way through the long, bench-like tables. Heads move together, and whispers are exchanged. A group of girls giggle, and one waves at me with gusto. I’ll be back for them later. I’ve got to collect Charlie’s soul, but that doesn’t mean I get a free ticket out of my normal duties. If I could finish this job and seal a ton of souls while I’m at it, that promotion will be mine fo’ shizzle.
    Right as we’re about to leave the cafeteria, I see a guy waving an orange envelope around like a winning lottery ticket. Three guys near him peer over his shoulder as he reads whatever’s inside. I glance around and notice more orange envelopes in giddy, greedy hands.
    I suddenly want one of those orange envelopes so bad it makes me sick.
    When I was alive, I was never left out of anything. In fact, I would’ve been the one passing out those damn envelopes. It feels weird to be on the outside. I throw my shoulders back. But who cares, right? If I wanted to, I could own this school in a matter of days.
    The echo of squeaking tennis shoes and thumping basketballs lets me know we’re near the gym. I wonder if Annabelle and Blue ever break from talking basketball long enough to actually play. Hearing the repetitive sound of balls clanking off the rim makes me want to ditch Charlie and join the game. Unlike those jokers, I hit nothin’ but net.
    Charlie stops in front of what I guess is the journalism room. She stands outside the doorway, not going any farther in. Whatever she wants to do, she wants to do it from here. On the left side of the room, there’s a long gray table with three stools tucked beneath it. On the other is an enormous black camera and a stand holding cue cards.
    I notice a girl strut toward the center stool. She holds a stack of papers and silently mouths the words she’s