“Like how you have a secret boyfriend?”There’s a lilt of teasing in his voice.
“No.Not after tonight.”This is a disaster.Why would my dad decide to run for district attorney?We usually talk about stuff like this as a family, especially when it affects everyone involved.There was only an announcement this time.Maybe that’s what’s bothering me most of all.
“Stop.You know he doesn’t give up that easily.He just needs a minute to process.”
“And he didn’t say we’re together, only that we can walk in the halls together.”Semantics, I know.But lines are really hard to read between.
“You two are exhausting.Now, I need to talk about something less irritating.”
Idon my smile of invisibilityat the fundraising events on Sunday.My cheeks hurt by the time we return home that evening.I haven’t heard from Jonathan or Collin.It’s fine.I should probably get used to not having them around as much.Of course it’s not really fine.But I’m too exhausted to fight with anyone tonight about the importance of free will and life-defining choices.
When I walk down the hall the next morning, I’m resigned to my situation and recognize that I don’t have control over anyone except myself.It sucks.But I can’t force him to want to be with me.
“Hey, why do you look like someone broke up with you?Did it shatter?”Danika asks from beside me.I don’t know where she came from.Not paying attention can make people appear as if out of nowhere.
“It’s… I don’t know.”My shoulders sink even lower, if that’s possible.“I’m sorry I didn’t call you back this weekend.I had stuff with my family.”
“Yeah.Well, you’re going to hear some rumors today, and I wanted to warn you.”
Before Danika can continue with the gossip, I halt in the middle of the hall.A passing shoulder bumps me.Probably on purpose.
“What?”Then she sees what I do.“Oh.Yeah.He probably knows too.”
Jonathan is leaning against my locker, his eyes on mine.He gives me a small smile.
“I’ll let him tell you,” Danika says in my ear before she disappears.I haven’t taken my eyes off him—the gorgeous guy with broad shoulders, jet-black waves and onyx eyes that seem to pierce my soul.I could stare at him all day.And annoy everyone in the hall in the process.
I approach him cautiously, suddenly uncertain I want to know what’s being whispered and texted around school.It obviously has to do with me.And Jonathan?It’s been a while since that’s happened.Which was one of the reasons the three of us began to hang out less and less once we started high school.
“Hey,” he greets me, moving to the side so I can access my locker.
“What’s going on?”I ask carefully, hanging my jacket inside and unloading my computer bag, taking out what I don’t need.
“Thought I’d walk you to class, if that’s okay?”He has his shoulder pressed to the locker next to mine, blocking everyone from view.“I spoke to Collin last night, and we decided we can’t lose you.Not even to help your dad.But we promise to be on our best behavior so we don’t screw it up for him either.”
“You and Collin decided this?”I confirm, quirking my brow.So, this is about being friends, not about being together.
I close my locker, and we begin down the hall.His arm brushes against mine, and my body flushes with heat—from just barely touching.Wow, I need to calm down.But before I can, his hand is taking hold of mine, lacing our fingers together.
My mouth pops open in shock.
“Didn’t you hear?You’re in love with me.”
“Wh-what?”I practically choke on the words.
Jonathan chuckles.The sound’s deep and full of humor.“There’s a rumor circulating that you’re in love with me and I won’t give you a chance because I only think of you as a friend.”
I swallow.That’s what Danika was trying to warn me about.“Who started—” But I don’t have to finish the sentence because the source of the chatter scoffs from across the hall.
“Pathetic.He just feels sorry for her,” Laurel quips bitterly, making sure we can overhear her and her new friends.
“No way he all of a sudden has feelings for her.They’ve been friends forever.Why would he like her now?”
I want to say I’m hurt that Bridget is adding to the mean digs, but she hasn’t liked me since eighth grade when her boyfriend dumped her to ask me out.I said no, but still, it’s always the girl’s fault.And I had to find out why she stopped being my friend from a rumor then too.
I gape at the two girls.Laurel smirks maliciously.What the hell?I was only ever nice to her.My arm is tugged.I stumble forward to keep pace with Jonathan, who refuses to let go of my hand.Even when I try to force him.
“Stop,” he says gently, his grip tightening.“She has nothing to do with us.”
