Never mind, this is the worst.
“What?” Becca turns to me. “Youdoknow them!”
“It’s not what you think,” I manage.
My hands are all pins and needles. It’s as if the whole room just fell silent, eyes boring into me no matter which way I turn. I zip up my bag and hug it to my chest, plastering a fake smile on my face, my mouth like cotton wool.
Finally, Adam switches off the projector. “Have a great weekend!”
Praise the Lord.
I jump up as if my seat were on fire, shoving my way along my row, desperate to get out of this hellhole before things get even more intense.Shit, I knew those guys would find a way of messing with me.
I pick my way up the stairs, slowing as I get caught in a clump of students, girls shooting me side-eyes, guys throwing creepy glances.Great!
I slink my way over to the first vending machine I find, fishing in my pocket for coins. My hands are shaking so hard I miss the slot, and the quarter clatters to the ground.
“Seriously?” I throw my arms up and look at the ceiling. “What did I do to deserve this?”
I turn around, scanning the ground for my coin, when I notice Lane a foot away, turning it slowly between his fingers. If there’s a god up there, I’m definitely on his shit list.
“Is God talking back?”
“Give me that!” I lunge at him.
Lane flicks the coin up with his thumb, smug as hell, and I’m left snatching at thin air.
“I need a snack,” I hiss.
He sidesteps to the right. “How did we do?”
“Gripping. I couldn’t look away,” I say flatly.
“Mean, Lois!”
He slips the coin into his shorts’ pocket, a dumb smirk spread across his face.
“I already take up so much of your precious space, Lane. So why not stay out of my way on campus?”
“Am I pissing you off right now?”
“Yes!”
“Well, there’s your answer.”
“Urgh!”
I’m being a little too loud, and people are starting to stare. Worse, I see Kirk coming through the lecture hall doors, and he’s staring right at us.
“I’m out of here,” I mumble, already turning away.
Lane reaches for my arm.
“Let me drive you, Lois.”
My eyes widen in horror. I don’t dare look at Kirk. He must have heard Lane’s offer, he must think something’s going on, when it isn’t.
“No,” I whisper. “It’s too early for me to go back. We have a deal, remember?”
