richellemead-vampireacademy01-vampireacademy-110824015328-phpapp02

Four
WE DIDN'T HAVE THE ENTIRE commons' attention this time, thank God, but a few passing
people had stopped to stare.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" asked Doll Girl, blue eyes wide and sparkling with
fury. Up close now, I was able to get a better look at her. She had the same slim build as most
Moroi but not the usual height, which was partly what made her look so young. The tiny purple
dress she wore was gorgeous—reminding me that I was indeed dressed in thrift-shop wear—but
closer inspection led me to think it was a designer knockoff.
I crossed my arms across my chest. "Are you lost, little girl? The elementary school's over on
west campus.”
A pink flush spread over her cheeks. "Don't you ever touch me again. You screw with me, and
I'll screw you right back.”
Oh man, what an opening that was. Only a head shake from Lissa stopped me from unleashing
any number of hilarious comebacks. Instead, I opted for simple brute force, so to speak.
"And if you mess with either of us again, I'll break you in half. If you don't believe me, go ask
Dawn Yarrow about what I did to her arm in ninth grade. You were probably at nap time when
it happened.”
The incident with Dawn hadn't been one of my finer moments. I honestly hadn't expected to
break any bones when I shoved her into a tree. Still, the incident had given me a dangerous
reputation, in addition to my smartass one. The story had gained legendary status, and I liked to
imagine that it was still being told around campfires late at night. Judging from the look on this
girl's face, it was.
One of the patrolling staff members strolled by right then, casting suspicious eyes at our little
meeting. Doll Girl backed off, taking Aaron's arm. "Come on," she said.