WILLS?
Only I have a nickname for Willow Sinclair, and it will not be heard from his lips. Not now. Not ever. This is the girl I’m gonna marry some day. I feel it in my bones.
“Apology not accepted,” she states, folding her arms over her chest.
“Oh dear,” I say. “I guess you really blew it this time, old chap.”
“Wait! I’ll do anythin?—”
But it’s too late for talking. It’s too late for negotiations. If Willow weren’t as smart as she is, she may have fallen for his little ploy — believing that he was really into her and wanted to take her to homecoming.
I shake my head. “Too bad about that yearbook photo.” I bang his head down on the table, it lands in someone’s leftover macaroni. “Don’t. Treat. Girls. Like. That.”
I pound his face with every word.
Then I hear. “Teacher’s coming!”
I drop him and he falls to the side like a sack of potatoes.
Willow gazes up at me. “You didn’t have to do that, Austin. I had it handled.”
Wow, she knows my name. Well, Simon may have just reminded her, but still.
“No? It wasn’t just for you, darlin’, it was for women everywhere. You shouldn’t have to deal with assholes like him that won’t take no for an answer.”
Her mouth opens, then closes again. “F-fine. Thanks.”
I quirk a brow, feeling there’s something she’s not saying. “What’s on your mind, little lady?”
She rolls her eyes. “The teacher is coming, shouldn’t you make like a tree and leave?”
I shrug. “Not if you have somethin’ important to say.”
I wait, then she shakes her head. “Austin, you’re gonna get busted.”
“Go to homecoming with me,” I blurt. “Then I’ll get outta here and you won’t feel guilty about me smashing up Simon’s face in your honor.”
“My honor?” she snorts. “Wow.”
“Think about it, but don’t think too long, I’m in high demand.” I give her a wink.
“Go! You’ll get suspended!” Even her tone is playful as I step over Simon’s body. He’s still rolling around like the useless idiot he is.
“Not until you say yes.”
“I swear you’re insane.”
I laugh. “Pick you up at eight.”
“Ugh.”
I smile to myself as I run out of the cafeteria at top speed, making my escape. They’ll find out it was me, and they’ll probably suspend me, but I don’t care. It was worth it.
I also don’t care about homecoming, but here we are.
Something passed between Willow and me. I’m not sure what, but I felt a rage I’ve never felt before when I saw her shrugging him off and he was laughing at her.
Nobody laughs at my girl.
