“Oh, here she is,” Lewis says in a breathy tone. He leans over the table with laser-focus.
Parker nudges him, saying, “Don’t you even think about it.”
There’s only one girl they’re ogling. I look over my shoulder, and sure enough, Yvette struts through the cafeteria. Even though she has the grace and beauty of a Scandinavian princess, my vision auto-focuses on the couple behind her.
Kai and Tabitha.
His arm is around her as they walk in time, smiling and laughing. Seriously, it’s the time in the rom-com where the camera slows and focuses on their pearly whites and star-crossed looks in their eyes.
I straighten up in my seat, turned toward them. Yvette veers away, causing groans from Parker and Lewis. The groans get louder when she stops at a table and makes out with one of the footballer gods.
“What did you think was gonna happen?” Tyler says bluntly. “That girl is never single. You guys have gotta stop pining.”
“Whatever,” the boys mumble as they slump in their seats.
Yvette doesn’t stay talk of the table for long when Kai and Tabitha land.
“Hi guys,” Kai says with a large grin.
Tabitha is giggly, holding onto Kai’s wrist that dangles over her shoulder.
“Is it okay if Tabby joins us?” Kai asks. His smile muscles quirk from being pulled tighter than I’ve ever seen.
“Sure,” Tyler says, kicking out a seat close to me. “Hi Tabby.”
Tabby waves as Kai pulls out another seat by me. “Hi everyone. Thanks for letting me hang out.”
Kai sits beside me, sandwiched with Tabitha on his other side. Is this really happening? They’ve gone from lovesick looks across the cafeteria to being latched at the freaking hip?
“How was class?” Kai asks me, arm still hooked around Tabitha’s shoulders.
“Umm…” I falter. I never stumble on my words when it comes to Kai. But how can I not be thrown? Sure, I saw them kiss, and he’s talked about her a few times, and he ditched me last night for her… Oh my gosh. Is he falling in love with her?
Kai’s eyebrows bounce up. “James? You okay?”
I clear my throat and fake a laugh. “Umm, yeah, bro. I mean, I was just thinking about how much of a dumb question that was. How was class? How do you think?”
Kai laughs, and this would feel easy, if not for Tabitha leaning forward and gaining my attention.
“Ah, Jamie?” she begins in a quiet, almost timid voice. “Like, aren’t you failing? I thought you were supposed to be paying attention in classes?”
My chest rises and falls. My shallow breaths hasten. That wasn’t timid at all. That’s the same mean girl ploy I’ve heard a thousands times. They reel you in just to humiliate you.
“I…” It’s like every thought evaporates from my mind. It’s totally foggy in my skull.
Kai hugs Tabitha closer, saying, “As if she’s gonna do a one-eighty and suddenly love school.”
My chest eases. Yes, that’s the Kai I know.
Tabitha keeps her eyes locked on mine. “But I thought she was being kicked out of school?”
“Whoa,” Parker says in a low tone. “I didn’t know it was that serious.”
“They’re notkish…” Even though I’m looking at Parker, I stumble on my words, feeling Tabitha’s stare burning me. “Uh, I’m not get-ah-getting kicked out.”
Lewis’s eyes narrow at me. “What’s with you?”
“Duh,” Tyler says, gesturing at me. “She’s nervous because it’s her last week at this school.”
