ngle time we worked together on that project, I ke

ind of man I wanted. I told myself over and over tha

had to sit across from him every day, my eyes always drifted to him. His sm

a. Always with h

that always had a mischievous curve, silky blonde hair that looked like it belonged i

n Noah's lap, stroking his hair. Kissing his neck right in front of me like I didn'

h? He l

afternoon,

re," I said, pushing my l

w. Ava rolled her

d with a sly grin, crossing her le

s anything to either of you, especially him,

like I'd t

act all calm and quiet, but undern

fr

You carry yourself like you're better than everyone

m off. "I'm warning you. Either you respe

t Ava. "That's enough," No

was defending me or ju

ome," he s

o him, eyes

e. I'll see

invite me every time and now because

id, exhauste

tch your back, Mia. I'm not the kind of girl y

The silence that

othing good ever comes from you

g Ava just to get a reaction. To get under my skin. And it wor

wrong with me?" I whispered. "This isn't

l never happen to me. It's either a man like my father or nob

-

ked on the slides in secret, doing my part alone. I didn't want to see him

ed through the school halls asking

you se

inked. "

press further. She called me. N

through buildings, a

tes everywhere. The place was calm, wooden shelves stretching h

e doors

ia

Noah barged in

ere," I whispered harsh

e barked. "Avoiding me? Play

g!" I snapped. "J

e you'r

re se

o face now, peo

led. "This project is m

Ava to grind on you while I sit

wisting e

m finally see

outed. "Get ou

I stormed down the h

, st

N

. I spun and cras

fro

t his shirt. My heart raced. His hand lingered, his br

es out. Whispers ever

oice cut throug

frozen. Then she ran forwar

cheat! You di

People laughed. A

Noah!" she ye

hard and walked

broken. Angr

I told him we'd work only in school. He agreed. We worked li

-

od before the class, delivered the slides with calm, poise,

beside me

nnounced, we'd done be

ound the corner. Noah had been away. R

essage. He wants you to be his date to the after-

ked. "

it up to you. He's been

at her,

it," Raven

di

ter, I

my body softly. My curls bounced as I walked. My light makeup shi

d toward m

aid, pulling me into a hug.

s exploded

eld me close, e

ered, "I'll b

. Minutes pas

ched f

to the rest

e he

d in

nother

nn

uth. Tears slid down b

ra

home. Ran fro

ed. My chest cr

, where I fell to the floor an

ght, I

, I was on the f

th the Bradfo