Badass in Disguise

her a lasting lesson about respect. Nothing fatal-just enough to ensure she'd

errupted from down the hall. "I heard what happe

I glanced toward Frank-a middle-aged man with ki

ning away. She remained frozen, clearly un

eeling the springs dig into my back. This pathetic body was c

ake edible food?" Linda's voice cut through the

lazy again," Emily's shril

daughter-both use

ices moved down the hallway. The insults blen

nk's hesitant voice accompa

this body. As I moved toward the kitchen to wash my

anchor reported. "The private island, completely destroyed yesterday mornin

g over my hands as I

a," the reporter continued. "So far, no org

ste water all night?" Lin

, slowly drying my hand

nk had made some kind of pasta with canned sauce and frozen mea

said after her first bite. "You

od around. "Even the school c

y, my mind still

icken on it, avoiding eye contact as he returned to his own food.

her eyes narrowing at me. "Your guidance c

ing, not bother

lammed her palm on the table. "At this rate, you won't even get in

od before answeri

dripped with sarcasm. "Please enli

d simply, turning my at

ank. "Do you know how your brothers laugh at me behind my

wn at his plate

ng. "Now every single one of them has a decent car and a new house. But you? You've got us stuck

sip from his water glass, his features aged

," Linda jabbed her fork in Max's direction. "But no, we couldn't afford

fork at the mention of his disability, thou

ry you," Linda concluded with

hes," Linda order

ould rest. She hit her

da scoffed. "Her hands aren't inju

wasn't just rumors. I was about to show Linda exactly who she was

im. "Emily and you need to prepare for your college

in her throat as she caught my gaze, and even Emily suddenly fou

, continued gathering dishe

he small backyard, assessing t

ere weak, my stamina nonexistent. The body I'd inhabited as Shadow had been a prec

tioning," I whispered to myself

t still spilling from beneath Max's d

a physics problem with a furrowed brow. Ad

. "The answer is 347.8 n

snapped u

wrote out the solution, explaining

ution, then at me. "This is college-le

classes are too bor

fusion. "Your report card shows y

, turning to leave. "Thos

tupid?" Max's voice was incredu