CHAPTER One Being dead became fashionable approximately forty-five minutes after Samantha "the Divine" Devereaux came back from summer break. Although stylish as ever, there was still something off about the Divine Devereaux. She strolled down the hall wearing a cleavage-baring top, a miniskirt, and stiletto heels. Her long blond hair had been freshly highlighted. But unlike after previous summer vacations, Samantha didnt have that sun-kissed Cabo glow. Her skin was, forgive the phrase, dead white. A large silver pendant hung around her neck, but I couldnt get a close look at it. I wasnt the only one trying to sneak a peek, because heads turned more than usual as she strutted down the hall. "Get out of my way, Daisy," she snapped at me as she passed by. She was only slightly hampered by the coffin she was dragging behind her. At first I thought it was a giant wheelie backpack. But my clue came when Penny Edwards, who could have brought home a gold in social climbing if it were an Olympic sport, rushed up to Samantha. "Where did you get that . . ." "Coffin," Samantha supplied helpfully. "Morts Mortuary. Burnished mahogany. Scaled to size for those of us with petite frames." I could have sworn she eyed my thighs with a look of scorn. "Lined with satin?" Penny asked. She recoiled in horror. "Silk, of course." "Of course," Penny tittered. Samantha went on her way, and Penny, faster than you could say dead girl walking, was on her cell phone to Morts Mortuary. After first period, I saw Mr. Amador, our principal, talking to Samantha in the hallway, so I loitered long enough to eavesdrop. He started with a lot of throat clearing and then said, "My dear, why on earth have you adopted such an . . . unusual look? You look like a vampire." "The preferred term is undead or, if you must, living challenged," she said, nose in the air. "Im not a vampire. The thought of drinking blood is disgusting. And think of all those calories!" "But, but youre a student council member, head cheerleader. You represent Nightshade High to the world . . ." "Now I represent Nightshade looking like this," Samantha said. While Mr. Amador sputtered and coughed, she swept away but called over her shoulder, "And why dont we let Daddys lawyer decide whether or not I can continue to attend Nightshade High looking like this?" With that she snapped open her cell and punched in a number. Interesting that she had Daddys lawyer on speed dial. After Samantha lawyered up, Mr. Amador had no choice. He had to let Samantha wear whatever she wanted, as long as it was within the school dress code. And since our school dress code didnt say anything about dressing in black, dead white skin, or bloodred lips, he was stuck. By the time the dismissal bell rang, I was sick of hearing everyone talking about Samanthas new "look." I shut my locker, which closed with a clang. "Hey, Giordano, whats up?" Ryan Mendez asked. He was the closest friend I had these days. Hi

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Excerpted from Dead Is the New Black by Marlene Perez
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