If this is an indication of how this year is going to go then I’m screwed.
Pulling the backpack to my chest, I grab the books I won’t need until later and stack them inside the locker.
I’m so focused on my task and breathing through my mouth, so I don’t smell the stink, that I almost don’t hear it.
“Have you seen her?” The fine hairs at the nape of my neck rise at a not-so-quiet whisper. “Walking around acting like she’s better than the rest of us.”
“Oh please, she’s pathetic! We all knew it was just a matter of time before he dumped her.”
The voices are coming from behind the open door of the locker. And while the first girl is trying to keep it on the down low, the other one isn’t even pretending she isn’t gossiping.
My stomach rolls with unease, bile rising in my throat.
They’re not talking about you, I try to reason. They’re not…
“How lame do you have to be to still force yourself on your ex’s friends? For God’s sake, get a life!”
A pain shoots through my hand. I look down only to find my nails digging into my palm, knuckles white.
So much for it not being about me.
You knew it was going to happen.
I also hoped I was wrong. They say I don’t have a life, but what about them? And what’s with that high and mighty crap? I always try my best to be friendly and polite to everybody, even if I don’t like them very much.
Kill them with kindness has been my mom’s motto for as long as I can remember.
I debate if it’s worth it to close the locker and face the duo talking about me behind my back when they don’t know shit about me. It’s not like I can keep hiding behind the door much longer, since all the books are inside, and I have to get going if I don’t want to miss first period.
Whatever, I’m not hiding. I’m not the one in the wrong here.
Pulling the zipper closed so I don’t lose anything, I let the bag fall down my back and slam the locker with more force than necessary. I’m just about to face them when I see movement from the corner of my eye.
“Hey, babe.”
Frowning, I turn around only to come face to face with Noah Russell. And he’s coming right at me.
I narrow my eyes at him, suspicious. Did he just call me babe? It sure sounded like it, although it makes no sense whatsoever. I open my mouth to call him on it, but I don’t get a chance to react or say anything because the next thing I know, I’m pressed against the locker, and he’s kissing me.
Chapter Two
NOAH
“How lame do you have to be to still force yourself on your ex’s friends? For God’s sake, get a life!”
Seriously, what is wrong with people? Jessica and Evie have been friends forever. I should know that since for a while there I had a thing for Evie, so of course, I learned a thing or two about her best friend.
And what if she is trying to get back with her ex? It’s her life, she can do whatever the hell she pleases.
I grit my teeth as I look over my shoulder to catch another glimpse of Jessica. The book she’s putting in her locker falls inside with a resounding thud. Her hand clenches in a fist, knuckles turning white, and her face pales, body growing stiff. There is a blank expression on her face. An expression that for some reason unnerves something inside of me. It shouldn’t, but it does.
Let it be, I tell myself, returning my attention to my own books. It’s not your problem.
I wish I could leave, but for some reason my feet are glued to the ground and I can’t seem to move.
“Maybe she hopes that if she stays close, he’ll take her back,” the one with the snarky voice comments. She’s irritating as fuck. And what’s worse, she’s not even trying to be quiet.
I can’t listen to this any longer. Closing my locker, I turn around.
The group of girls is standing right behind me, and two lockers from Jessica’s.
She’s still glued to the spot, her whole body tense. What must she be thinking?
It’s not your problem, the little voice tries to reason with me, but I’m done listening. I still feel guilty for what happened with Evie this past winter. That wasn’t me, and it doesn’t matter that she said she forgave me, I can’t seem to forgive myself. Couldn’t forget the fear in her voice, in her eyes. But maybe if I can help Jessica the guilt will ease, if not go away.
Without giving myself time to think much about it, I cross the hall with a few decisive strides, a cocky smile plastered on my lips. I’m not even sure how to make this better, but I’ve always been one to do something now and think about the consequences later.
And look where that got you.
“Hey, babe.” The words are out before I can blink.
Jessy turns around, her eyes growing wide when she sees me moving closer. Those dark eyes land on mine, worry and something else, something I know all too well—embarrassment—coloring her face. The all-too-familiar ache returns in full force.
Fuck that.
Fuck them.
What now? I should have seriously come up with a plan before making my move, but there’s nothing I can do about that now. Jessy hates me; I know it because she made sure I do.
After everything with Evie played out, she cornered me and told me exactly what she thinks of me.
Her eyes narrow as she recognizes me, mouth opening like she’s ready to put me in my place, just as she did that day, but if I let her it’ll ruin everything. We can’t have that.
So I do the only rational thing I can think of to shut her up.
I kiss her.
Her eyes go round with shock as my mouth presses against hers, my hands cupping her cheeks. Her lips are soft underneath mine. Complete contrast to her sharp tongue. They aren’t coated in lip gloss like most girls wear, but a faint taste of cherries still lingers on her lips.
The strong urge to dip my tongue inside her mouth and see if she tastes like cherries too, throws me off guard.
What’s wrong with me?
First I kiss her, albeit this kiss is almost like a peck on the lips. As platonic as they come. Now I want to taste her? Something is seriously wrong with me. This is Jessica Bryant we’re talking about. Jessica Bryant, Evie’s best friend. This was supposed to be just a sham to give her some space to breathe. So those girls can see she isn’t pining after her loser of an ex, Jack Morgan.
Yeah, even I heard the gossip. I wasn’t there to see it first-hand, but most of the folks in Greyford are gossips. Something happens and in less than an hour everybody knows about it. Hell, the juicier the news, the faster it’ll spread.
But seriously, Jack is clearly an idiot for cheating on Jessica. Yes, our previous encounters haven’t been the best, but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate her protectiveness and loyalty to Evie.
I’m also not blind. Jessica Bryant is pretty. More than pretty actually, she’s beautiful.
I had to bend down because she’s much shorter than my six-foot-one frame. Her dark brown hair is curly today and pulled into a high ponytail, a blue and white ribbon—the school colors—holding it tied together. She’s wearing a blue tank top that’s molded to her body perfectly and a plaid black and blue skirt that shows off her tanned legs.
Yeah, he’s most definitely an idiot.