Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 123779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Robert glares at me because I’m not showing the desired interest in him, and I can see my words hit the spot I was aiming for.
When I attempt to shove past him, he moves to block my way, laughing in my face while shaking his head. “Why the hurry, sweetling? I’ve noticed you’re real friendly with my new friend. Why not spare me some of that kindness?”
Ugh! I’d rather slam my head against the wall. Repeatedly.
I have a bad temper and little control over it when it comes to this jerk, and hearing he’s already friends with Ryan is disappointing as hell.
“You’re not worth my time, let alone my kindness,” I mutter. “Why don’t you go crawl back down that hole you just came out of and leave me the hell alone.”
I shove past him and breathe a sigh of relief when I actually get away.
Still aggravated about the unwelcome run-in with Robert, I make it to class in the nick of time.
I’m not even surprised to find Ryan sitting in the seat next to mine.
When I place the book down between us, I notice my hands are still trembling. Taking my seat, I can feel Ryan looking at me.
After a while, I can’t stop myself and dare a fleeting look at him. Seeing concern tightening his features, I’m surprised.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
I nod while sucking in a deep breath, then open the textbook and try to focus on social studies.
Chapter 2
Jane / Alchera
The shrill bell finally signals the long-awaited lunch hour that I’m in desperate need of.
Finally, I can recharge my batteries.
When I stand up, my phone beeps with an incoming message, and preoccupied with reading the text Molly sent, I move toward the aisle.
Molly: I’m going shopping with the girls after school.
Why am I not surprised?
Unfortunately, Ryan picks that exact second to step to his left. The next thing I know, I plow face-first into his chest. He grabs hold of my shoulders, his touch downright electric.
“Crap…uhm...” Muffled words are all I can get out between my nervous breaths. “Sorry.”
That’s when it hits me. I’m practically standing in Ryan’s arms.
My hands are on his chest.
Holy shit.
My eyes dart wildly through the classroom to see if anyone is watching, and it’s in time to see Robert laughing at us before he steps out into the hallway.
A wave of embarrassment washes over me, and it doesn’t take my face long to reach the darkest shade of burgundy known to mankind.
When I turn my attention back to Ryan and our eyes meet, he loosens his grip on me while asking, “You okay?”
“Yeah…sure,” I reply, my fast breaths making the words come out in a rush.
Ryan is friends with Robert.
An uneasy feeling trickles into my chest.
“I’m okay.” I’m relieved to hear I at least sound somewhat normal.
My eyes lower to where my hands are still plastered against his chest. I yank them away, feeling like a total idiot, and it makes my cheeks burn even hotter.
“Ahh…yeah…so…” I keep stammering, making an even bigger ass of myself. My shoulders slump and giving up on trying to explain, I stay quiet and simply look up at him.
“Would you like to grab something to eat with me?” he asks. “Or we can just sit somewhere.”
Slowly, a frown forms on my forehead, then a realization knocks the wind from me.
Fuck my life.
This is probably some sort of initiation thing for him. Robert and his friends like to make guys carry out dares in order to become one of the group. They’ve done this to me before and Robert mentioned Ryan’s his new friend.
Anger ignites in my chest, and the longer I stare at Ryan, the more it makes sense why he’s been sitting next to me in every class.
It upsets me more than it should.
I let out a harsh breath and shake my head at him. “No, thanks. I have things to do and places to be. I’m sure your friends are waiting for you outside.” Giving him a glare, I shove past him. “Enjoy lunch.”
I don’t stick around to hear his response. I rush for the door as fast as I can and head toward the cafeteria.
“Jane,” I hear Ryan call. “Wait up.”
“Not going to fall for the trick,” I shout, not even glancing over my shoulder. “Leave me alone.”
“Dammit,” I hear him snap.
He can dammit all he likes. I don’t care. Not when I’m sure this is some sort of prank the guys are playing on me.
Jesus, you’d think they’d stop with the stupid pranks our senior year, but no.
Immature assholes.
Walking straight through the cafeteria and outside, where there’s an outdoor seating area, I make a beeline for the corner where I always spend my breaks.
When I reach my spot, I sit down and refuse to think of Ryan and Robert again.
Taking out my sketchbook, I work on my drawing until the lunch hour is almost over. I lift my head and glance through the windows into the cafeteria, where groups of students are talking and laughing.