Now it’s Monday, and we’re all sitting at lunch, still buzzing from prom. Exams start in a few days, so we’re trying to ride the fun a little longer before the stress hits.
I’m halfway zoned out, reliving prom highlights, when Ella’s laugh brings me back. “I tried to tell her the cupcake was too much, but she wouldn’t listen when we were dress shopping,” she remarks, pointing at something on Hudson’s phone.
They must be looking through prom pics. I’ve looked at the ones my mom took a dozen times already. She caught a candid of Hudson pinning on my boutonniere, his face scrunched with concentration. It instantly became my favorite. So much so that I made it my home screen. Risky move, but seeing Archer and Theo be so open is making me itch to do the same.
I think it’s time Hud and I talk about telling Hadley.
“Hudson Daniels?” The entire table goes quiet at the front office clerk’s voice. My heartrate picks up, wondering why Hud is being singled out.
“Yes, ma’am?” Hud replies.
“You’re wanted in Principal Ward’s office for a quick meeting.”
Hud goes pale, his bouncing knee vibrating the table. “Am I in trouble?”
“I’m just the messenger, dear. Now if you’ll follow me…” She turns and walks away.
Hud reluctantly stands up and follows. I quickly shoot him a text, hoping he’ll see it before next period, if he’s even out of the meeting by then.
“I wonder what that’s about,” I mutter.
Ella’s voice cuts in, loud. “Probably has something to do with all those notes Hudson got last week.” She looks up from the orange she was peeling, oblivious to the word vomit she just spewed.
My stomach drops, and the table goes dead silent, all eyes swinging to me.
“What notes?” Matt asks, his light brows drawing together as he looks at Ella.
I try to catch her eye, willing her to shut up, but she barrels ahead. “Someone has been putting threatening notes in Hudson’s, mine, and Cullen’s lockers. I haven’t gotten any more, but Hudson has. He said he thought about telling Principal Ward. I guess he finally did.”
My hand tightens around my soda bottle, rage simmering just under my skin. So much for no more secrets between Hud and me.
I’ll deal with him later.
But right now? Ella better pray I don’t climb across this table and wring her neck.
“What did the notes say?” Archer asks me.
“Nothing that concerns anyone here,” I snap.
Archer throws his hands up in surrender and turns back to his lunch.
“I’ll see y’all later,” I grumble, pushing up from the table and heading out of the cafeteria. My phone buzzes. It’s a thumbs up from Hud, replying to my message.
The bell rings, so I make my way to my locker and swap out books for anatomy and physiology.
“You didn’t know about the other notes?”
I grit my teeth at Ella’s voice behind me. I turn to find her standing there, arms crossed and eyes red-rimmed.
“Are you high? Is that why you can’t keep your mouth shut?” I shoot back.
She just shrugs. “Maybe you should think about why he confided in me and not you.” Then she walks off, leaving a trail of smugness in her wake.
I go to slam my locker—but freeze. There is a folded piece of paper wedged between two notebooks. My name is scrawled across the front in that same messy handwriting.
Does his dick taste as good as it looks? I can’t wait to sample it myself.
My vision tunnels, and my hands begin to shake. I shove the books back into my locker, slam the door, and storm out to the parking lot. I’ve got exams to study for and need those notes, but I’m too pissed off to care.
