Let me tell you, I didn't even stress like this when I had to write the entrance exam. I have been thinking about this since Sunday and now that I'm here, I am freaking out and there is nothing that I can do.I glance at the door from my seat in Art class. Jake hasn't arrived yet and I'm a complete mess. I need to return his jacket without making it awkward, but it might not go as planned. I clutch my stomach and rest my forehead on the table, forcing myself to take deep breaths. Why am I feeling so anxious about this? It is nothing important to worry about. The image of him flinching away has been on replay in my head since it happened. I still feel stupid. Ugh. I tap my forehead against the table with a soft sigh."Are you okay?" I whip my head up when I recognize the voice. Jake sits next to me and stares at me in concern. I force a smile and nod."Yeah, I'm fine," I lie and try to control my breathing. He lifts a brow and his eyes travel to my arms, which are still clutching my st
I groan with a mouthful of food. I ignore him when he appears next to Ally."Sup?" He falls next to her and puts his plate on the grass in front of him. So he is sitting with us now? Great, there goes my peace and serenity. This, this right here, is my thirteenth reason. I continue eating my sandwich and keeping my eyes glued to the grass. I do not want to look at him. More footsteps approach us and Jake sits down next to Tyler."Hey," he greets us and digs into his food. He appears to have recovered from whatever happened in Art. I click my tongue when I realize that I don't have my bag with me. I will give him his paper later.Ally looks like she is about to explode with excitement. I sigh and cross my legs, placing my arm on my leg and resting my head on my hand. Before I can take another bite, Oliver's voice blares through the air. I snap my head in his direction and see Cora walking next to him. Fuck me! They also walk toward us and Oliver sits next to me. Cora pats the grass, fee
I lean against my locker with my arms crossed, watching the other students rushing to the information board in the main hall. A large group has bundled together in front of the board and the atmosphere is tense. I inhale shakily to get my nerves under control.The school announced that the lists of names who made the team will be placed on the board. Everyone is dying to see whether they made the football, cheerleading, or volleyball team. I have to admit that I am stressed out about this and I am quite sure I made the team.The cheering of some students gets my attention and I smile at their enthusiasm. We are not a lot of students in this school, so the odds are in your favor to make some team. I am waiting for the crowd to disappear before taking a look. I shift my weight from one foot to the other and uncross my arms."Yes, I knew it! I don't know why I even worried about it." I hear Greyson say with relief. He starts a chant and the other jocks join in as they head out of the buil
I look at my watch with a frustrated sigh. My leg bounces in anticipation while I glance around, waiting for Ally. Where is she? She should hurry up, otherwise, we are going to be late. I stand up from the sidewalk near her house and pace in front of her house. I pull out my phone to check whether she has sent a message. Nothing.The front door opens and I smile, but it falters when I see Ally's mom. She looks quite terrible, no offense. Where is Ally? Did something happen to her? I walk closer to the woman with furrowed brows."You here for Ally?" The woman sounds like she has just woken up. I nod my head and she walks to me with a slight limp. When she stops in front of me, I smell the alcohol on her and I have to prevent myself from scrunching my nose in disgust. She pulls me in for a hug. I don't want to be impolite so I put my hands on her back, tapping softly."She left with a guy earlier this morning," she says after she lets me out of her grip. I bite my lip and take a look
"I like outside. I want to sit outside," I whine while Ally drags me to the table where Tyler and the rest are sitting. They found a table for themselves in the cafeteria, so they are no longer sitting with the popular students."Ally, I'm serious. I don't want to sit there." Ally laughs off my complaint and we get to the table."Everyone, this is Kate. Kate, this is . . . Well, everyone. You'll get to know them." I force a smile and give them a small wave. Ally sits next to Tyler, leaving me to choose where to sit. Where am I supposed to sit? I thought she would let me sit next to her. Tyler probably does not want that."Does she have to sit with us? Baby, I thought it would just be you." Tyler says and I cringe at the nickname. Baby? It could have been worse. It could have been way worse. At least it is not "Baby girl".Ally puts her hand on his arm to calm him down. I continue to stand, waiting for her to tell me where I can sit or to say something in my defense. I would have told
My footsteps echo through the empty halls. Most of the students have gone home and the practices for today are over. I had so much more fun at practice today than I expected. We actually stand a chance to do good in the league. We're not enough players, but we will survive.Before I leave, I need to get the books I forgot to take from the locker. I have essays due soon for English Lit and History, but it is nothing I cannot handle.My locker opens with a soft creak, and I search through the piles of books. A paper falls out onto the floor. I bend down to pick it up and notice it is the Art project. It completely slipped my mind. It is already Thursday and between the drawing and painting, we need to start as soon as possible if we want to finish it on time."Hey, Kate." I fall against the locker, startled. What is he doing here? He almost gave me a heart attack."Tyler," I say, my heart pounding in my ears. Why is he still here? I do not want to talk to him, so he better leave befo
As I lay in bed, replaying the whole thing, I realize it was all Tyler's fault. I did nothing wrong. He literally grabbed my face which prevented me from escaping. I should have kicked him in the groin as well.I adjust myself and stare at the ceiling. My mother patched me up, and she gave me some heavy medications for the migraine. Whatever that stuff is, I need to get my hands on it when I get back home. Tyler bit a whole laceration on my lip. He must have used his werewolf's teeth because no human has such sharp teeth.There is a knock on the door and I turn to the door, mumbling that they can come in."Hey. Are you okay?" Oliver remains at the door, resting against the doorframe."Yes, I'm fine." He steps closer to the bed and pats my arm to show some sympathy. I do not know whether he knows what happened or if Mum only told him I am upset. I hope she did not tell him the whole story. I doubt she would do that."Supper is ready, but you don't have to come down if you don't want to.
I sit in a locked bathroom stall, my head resting on my knees. I need to get out of here. It was a foolish idea to come to school today. I thought I would be prepared for the backlash and hate I was going to receive, but I had no idea it would be this bad. Maybe Kate does not die, but her reputation sure does.Everyone heard about what had happened, but they heard Tyler's version. Now, I am the bad guy. So many students believe Tyler and some have even gone as far as to threaten me, or at least tried to threaten me.I lean my head back against the stall and close my eyes.And Ally has been standing there, doing nothing. She is ignoring me, playing the perfect victim. The poor girl who was betrayed by her best friend. I do not understand why she does not want to hear my side. She went as far as to block me. Allison immediately believed Tyler and dismissed me like I was nothing. Maybe I am nothing to her.I sit on the cold floor, inspecting my nails while I wait for the bell again. I a
I turn to Cora and we both take a moment to register that our team just won. Cora is the first to react and she starts to cheer loudly.“We won!” Cora shouts at the top of her lungs and I let out a loud laugh. The excitement fills me with adrenaline and I cannot contain myself. I run to the field with the rest of the cheer girls and our side of the bleachers.Cora throws her arm over my shoulders and we dance together, singing along as loud as we can when another song plays.“We won!” Cora shouts again, hugging me tightly. I hug her back and we sway from side to side. I smile widely, realizing that we have also reconnected. Cora pulls back, flashing me a warm smile.“We won,” I repeat. The rest of the cheer girls have joined us and we are all talking over each other. Someone taps my shoulder and I turn slightly to see who it is.Wes smiles at me, his hands pulling me in for a quick embrace.“Well done,” he says when he pulls back. “You saved the game,” he says with a satisfied smile.
“Hands, touching hands.” “Reaching out, touching me, touching you.”“Sweet Caroline.”PUM PUM PUMThere are a few students who sing along. We only need to keep going.“Good times never seemed so good.” “I've been inclined.”PUM PUM PUMMuch more students are singing along and a lot of them have stood up in the meantime. Ace, this is all we need. Just more of this and then we will have the energy back.“One, touching one.” “Reaching out, touching me, touching you.”The energy grows and I cannot help the smile that grows on my face.“Sweet Caroline.”PUM PUM PUM “Good times never seemed so good.” “I've been inclined.”All the students are standing up and shouting together, arms around each other’s shoulders. This song always gets everyone together. Even the other school is singing along.PUM PUM PUM “Good times never seemed so good.” “Sweet Caroline.”The song dies out and we all cheer as loud as we can. I even feel more energized after that. Everyone is getting together for the
The atmosphere is even more spirited than the previous game. The cheerleaders from the other school just finished their routine and we are waiting for our introduction.When we are called, Cora leads us out onto the field, even though I am the cheer captain. I asked her since this would be my first time cheering and that is enough stress. I do not need the additional stress from leading the girls.My high pony whips as I jog to my place. We get into formation and she lets out a cheer, indicating for us to start the routine.We move effortlessly through the routine and I have a wide smile. I must admit that this is a lot of fun. Cora shouts again and we end the routine with a power stance. Our side of the bleachers breaks into deafening cheers and I look at Cora.She flashes me a smile and she hurries to me, pulling me into a hug. We are both out of breath, still giggly from the nerves.We head to the line where the football team is going to run through. Cora reaches for my hand and I
I watch as Jake takes my hand and places it on his chest. I roll my eyes.“You just want me to feel your muscles,” I say, a laugh bubbling up despite myself. Jake’s eyes light up.“That’s what you said last night.” He chuckles and I cannot stop smiling. There’s something different about him today. The shadows that usually haunt his face have softened. The weight he carries seems lighter. His usual frown has disappeared, leaving behind a soft gaze.I feel the warmth from him on my hand that is still resting on his chest. And he is actually allowing me to come close to him, initiating the touch. He is not flinching away.He takes my other hand, guiding it to his face. His cheek comes into contact with my palm and I cup his face. My heart thumps in my chest as I have to focus on my breathing.Jake pulls me closer, his hands resting on my hips. I have a shy smile on my face with heat rushing to my cheeks. I feel like a silly middle-school girl, giggling at his hands on my waist. I have n
The afternoon had been exhausting, but the place was finally spotless. I left my number for Allison’s mother since she hadn’t woken up during the time we spent cleaning.“That place is cleaner than my apartment,” Jake says with a satisfied tone as his truck comes to a stop.I let out a soft laugh and nod. “Thank you so much for helping me. You really did not have to,” I say as I open the door and nearly stumble out, my body stiff from last night’s dancing.“It is nothing. I had nothing else to do anyway.” He walks to the back of his truck and I follow him. I grab two bags from the back before heading to a nearby pile. The smell causes me to gag and I have to hide my nose in my shirt. Ugh, I forgot the stench of this place.Jake laughs at my reaction, walking past me with four bags. Show off. I throw the bags onto the pile and head back for more. As I work, a memory surfaces—the last time we were here.We have come such a long way, from not being allowed to come within a few feet
Kate’s POV:I groan, pulling the blanket over my eyes. Ugh, I am never drinking again. What was I thinking? My head is pounding and my stomach makes a funny noise. I knew I would regret drinking, but I still did it.Squinting against the harsh light, I peel the blanket off my face. Big mistake. The brightness feels like needles stabbing my skull. I groan again, rubbing my temples. I sigh as I sit up, the pounding causing my vision to blur.Water. I need water.With a determined groan, I stumble out of bed toward the kitchen. My dad and mum are sitting at the island in the kitchen, both drinking tea in silence.“Morning,” I say as I enter the kitchen. My dad chuckles at my state while my mum shakes her head.“Morning. How was your night?” my dad asks. I nod slowly while I pour water into one of the larger glasses.“It was fun, but I am not doing it again,” I admit, causing my dad to laugh. I down the glass of water. My mum stands up and opens one of the cabinets.“We were worried. Yo
It looks like she’s on the verge of tears though. She rolls her eyes, turning away from me and ignoring my calls. Her retreating figure stirs a sharp pang of worry in my chest. I jog up to her, catching her arm gently“Kate, what is wrong?” I ask while turning her to look at me. She stops and looks me up and down, letting out a sigh. She rubs her face, smearing her make-up. Not again. I cannot laugh at her, not now.“Nothing,” she says, but I know she is lying. I tilt my head, unwilling to let it slide. She shrugs off my hand, her movements stiff. “Really, nothing. I am drunk beyond comprehension and I am tired, so please leave.” She looks into my eyes, tilting her head with a soft smile. “I am going to say stuff I should not say.”The vulnerability in her mumble makes me pause, but she shakes her head and starts walking again.I dart in front of her, blocking her path. She huffs loudly, throwing her head back in frustration.“Let me at least walk you back home,” I offer. Her head stay
“It has been so long since I last saw you. Look at you! You are all grown up,” she says with a warm smile and I smile back at her.“What are you doing here?” I ask and hold my arms out for a hug. She tightly embraces me. I have not seen her since . . . Since I was 14 and in my hometown. A wave of nostalgia washes over me as I pull back.What is she doing here?“I was invited by Olivia,” she says, pointing to where Olivia is talking to some of the girls.“Oh, she said she invited girls from the nearby high school. I did not know you attended here. I thought you were still back in Prichard.” She laughs while shaking her head.“I moved here last year. My dad wanted a fresh start—away from everything that happened.” Her smile wavers briefly before brightening again. “I’m so happy to see you. I’ve always wondered what happened to you.” I smile and she pulls me into another hug. She lets go and gestures to the house. “I’m going to get something to drink. You want something?”“No thanks. I’
I trail behind the group heading toward Grayson’s party, already questioning how Wes managed to talk me into this. And then he chickened out because he remembered he had to study for a test.I pull a hand through my hair. I guess Tyler and Allison might need a designated driver back home or a designated walker. Those two are driving me insane.We reach the street of Grayson’s home and the music is booming through the neighborhood. It’s a miracle the neighbors haven’t called the cops yet. How is it even possible to blast music at this volume?Allison is the first to rush through the small gate on Grayson’s law, but she bumps into Grayson. He’s holding a cup of what I can only assume is alcohol, and it spills all over her dress.Predictably, Tyler reacts before anyone else can.I let out a loud sigh. Just because it is mating season and these two are beyond horny, doesn’t mean Tyler needs to fight every guy who so much as breathes near Allison. Before I can intervene, someone beats me