02
On Sunday evening, we had study hall, and homework was due.
Jax was the kind of student who, when asked for his assignment, would just give the TA a blank look and say, “Didn’t do it.”
He used to listen to me, though.
Everyone knew it. So whenever he’d pull that stunt, they’d come and complain to me. That’s what happened tonight, except no one
could even find him.
He’d slipped out after the last bell, probably to find Chloe.
“Aubrey, Jax didn’t turn in his homework again, and he’s not in his seat. Can you…”
“Just hand in what you have,” I said, offering a small, tight smile. “From now on, you don’t need to tell me about his homework.”
My classmate just nodded, his expression confirmation that the rumors about Jax having a girlfriend must be true. My detached tone was all the proof he needed.
When class resumed, I bent over my test prep
book.
Before Chloe, my plan was for Jax and me to go to Northwood University together.
Now, the plan was just for me to work my ass off and get into Northwood. For my own dream.
Jax didn’t come back for the entire period. The teacher on duty frowned from her desk at the front of the room and asked where he
was.
Every head in the classroom turned to look at me. I kept my eyes on my paper, refusing to acknowledge them.
He finally reappeared during the second period, sliding into his seat without a word. A moment later, a classmate leaned over and
told him the principal wanted to see him in his office.
Jax seemed to snap out of a daze. As he walked past my desk, he paused for a fraction of a second.
I didn’t look up. I was wrestling with the final problem on a math worksheet, the kind where I could solve the first part but my brain
would freeze on the second.
10:58
Chapter 1
After I finally figured it out, my deskmate, Maya, leaned over.
“Hey, is everything okay with you and Jax?” she whispered.
“Everything’s fine.
“Really? Because you used to get more worked up than anyone when he skipped class or blew off his homework.”
10:58
I flinched. She was right. “That was then,” I said, my voice flatter than I intended. “I’m not going to bother with his stuff anymore.”
“Oh,” she said, her eyes wide as she put the pieces together. “So it’s true… about him and Chloe Reed?”
I looked down, saying nothing.
The final bell rang, and a few minutes later, Jax ambled back into the room. A folded piece of paper landed on my desk. I opened it.
Go home without me.
I stared at the familiar scrawl, then calmly folded the note and tucked it away before returning to my work.
The classroom was a chaotic swirl of noise and motion as everyone packed up. I took my time, organizing my binder.
Suddenly, a hush fell over the room. Maya gasped, and I followed her gaze to the doorway.
Chloe Reed was standing there. She tilted her head, gave Jax a little come–hither crook of her finger, and then turned and walked
away.
I couldn’t stop myself from looking at Jax. A helpless, almost tender smile spread across his face as he grabbed his backpack and
followed her out.
The second he was gone, the classroom erupted.
“Holy crap, so it’s real.”
“Wow. I always thought he and Aubrey were endgame. You know, the bad boy and the good girl. But I guess the bad boy and the
dancer… that kind of fits better, you know?”
“Don’t be an ass. Does anyone else feel kind of bad for Aubrey?”
“They’ve known each other their whole lives.”
“See? The girl next door never wins.”
Maya was looking at me, her expression full of pity she was trying to hide. I slung my backpack over my shoulder. My heart felt like
it was being squeezed in a vise, but I forced a smile. I would not cry. Not here.
I couldn’t let them see how much it hurt. If I did, I’d be the butt of their jokes for the rest of the year.
“I’m fine,” I told Maya, meeting her worried eyes. “Jax and I have only ever been friends. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Okay… See you tomorrow. Get home safe.”
Once I was out of the noisy school building, I gripped the straps of my backpack, my knuckles white. I bit down on my lip, hard.
But the tears came anyway, hot and silent, blurring the streetlights. A heavy, aching pressure built in my chest.
How could he just…. start liking someone else? Out of nowhere?
My vision swam. In my ears, I could hear a boy’s voice, clear and cocky, from a lifetime ago.
Chapter 1
“Don’t worry, Aubrey. I can do anything. And I’ve got you. For life.”
