pte

ora'

her"-as Layla and I barreled through the chaos of Ravenwood Pacific Un

er on my shoulder as I sprinted, sneakers squeaking against the polished floors.

r soccer player stood towering over me, one eyebrow arched, warm brown eyes locking on mine in a way that m

orry!" I stammered, fumb

book. That touch sent an uninvited shiver down my spine. "Late for class, hu

eam-all at the same time. "I-definitely

oser, his presence impossible to ignore.

y cheeks. "Cute?!" I

ing that infuriating gri

felt them spin. My heart,

erey," he

gh my heart disagreed. "Anyway, thanks for helping me p

. "Pretty tough, huh? I'd see you again, cutie," he c

ady for a hug if he didn't mind. But Jeffere

*

n my lap. I took a quick, deep breath and blurted out the answer before overth

both immediately buzzed with energy, whispering and giggling like we'd shared a thousand secrets already. Tiny e

d for the upcoming assignment, the

es sparkling, a play

around the sports unit? I want to play football for RPU, but I haven't been able to figur

ding. Layla laughed-a warm, melodic sound that

Sure I'll help you-but football?"

you relocated, I picked something fu

soccer games. Thankfully, there was no qu

istant bounce of footballs hitting the turf, and the faint smell of fresh-cut grass mixed with cafeteria aromas. I imagined myse

ng. "Don't worry, girl, I've got you. We'll navigate thi

For the first time in weeks, the sprawling

*

all Caesar salad, and a slice of cheese pizza-safe, filling, and unassuming. Layla, of course, was already p

headlights," Layla whispered, nud

, though my eyes betrayed

trouble, leaning casually against the beverage station, burrito b

teasing and annoying all at once. "My sweet boy..." "M

on? The RPU playboy whispered about every secret? Perfect jawline, stupidly attr

and heartthrobs I had yet to meet. Except... maybe the cute guy from that morning. He had

gether. Somehow, he made every other guy I'd seen tha

ious new girl," he drawled,

gnore him, Aurora. Just Ea

g a brow, "how your lunch

I could protest, placing his tray deliberately close. "You know," he

etending, you dumbass. Preferable

-grey eyes, biting his burrito."Touché I'd hat

the cafeteria. Layla giggled beside me. "O

ad officially turned into a battlefield-and

breath caught. Something magnetic in his presence demanded attention, even without trying. A small, involuntary smile touched my lip

sible. The girls behind him didn't spare him a glance; their eyes were

zzed, excite

isn't that

e doing at

they d

s the girl he

us was on him-Jefferey-and the wa

lower in his seat, watching without a flicker of

l got some ladies at

rey ap

You ran off," he said, flashi

smiling,"Au

contact himself. "It's Jeffere

"Girl... Jefferey?

ed into

You're still alive?"

y, holding back an emotion too fierce to name. His

x! Quit staring!" L

tions died instantly. He stuffed his hands into his pockets, jaw cl

!" the gir

of him" some were bi

ir obsession with