NEXT

NA'

streamed past me, cars driving by like nothing happened yesterday. I was terrified. After

Burberry hoodie from my backpack and slipped it o

red dollars from the boutique. Mom

y head, and stepped inside the school buil

but something was off. People weren't glaring lik

Rey

gi

your h

retty

H

baby

eart lightened just a little. It... fel

back, suddenly feeling a spark of

grabbed my biology tex

Rey

ound of her voice

hair, perfect glam makeup, a black cat-ear headset resting around her neck,

e," she said, voic

" I replied

treated you on your first day. I promise I want to make it u

ed a small smile. "I

d walking away, but she sud

Just..." she trailed off, unzipping her bag and pulling out a sleek blue

d scoffed. "Natash

ake it, please

gged. "Fine." I t

d. "Yay!

and placed it inside my

cramp from all this pretending. But it's worth it. Especially now that I found out

in the box? Or poop as a prank?" Ky

. "Real c

r eyes. "You're

ook like I

ated me in front of that new girl, and now yo

o running to Hailey and ruin everything. Then m

" I said flatly. "I'm just... being nice

led. What is going on with Natasha?

tely off. What is

this nice version o

-

l Ri

NA'

and immediately saw Shay wav

ied about me. If that fake story she spread had been real, I

Zeke or Kate. I nee

called from her seat

ailey said in unison

ley," Natasha said wi

confused.

nts to sit with u

muttered, looking

atash... even for

na isn't one of

in the next seat besid

I said

my Tiffany neck

up and switched seats. That neck

led my eyes. Hail

n just ask her dad to buy one. But no s

So st

etly. "Come on, Re

was shaking her head

m. Especially not with Tyler just a

already have a seat." I turned and

gain?" I asked the brunette

moved. Probably because Tyler

dea what h

t look hap

some blond man in a navy-

ritish accent. "I'm your new English teacher, Sebastian Andr

-

SHA'

sn't even looking at him. I was applying lip gloss and ble

, youn

espo

d closer

p and glar

name?" he a

you wann

teacher. I have

y annoyed. "Nat

ciated if you stopped doing your makeup

t?" I s

. Or even have you suspende

look her best, Where the h

tinued. "As time goes on, I'll get

he was quietly readin

might take longe

-

CH

A'S

I bolted. I didn't want

g for somewhere quiet to hide for lunc

ho

empty classroom. The light

pull away, but he pinned me to the w

hh

le

a finger

the hell are

hat you've been doing t

hest, but he was

for three days. Let me

m," he w

rned me she'd hurt me

y are you

sking you. Why? You won't

ship works! You can't

keep avoiding me like I'm some kind of

lent. No

e's perfect. Tha

e. I'd get bullied even wor

ad owns the school. He's Tyler.

he's just pl

eartbreak. Not

me!" he

o get ou

me go," I

N

d LET

I sai

ng at his soft pink lips. They were so intoxicating, i could feel the h

resi

why won't you give me a

o LEAVE ME ALONE!" I screamed

ed, dropping to h

n the door

going to be a

hey cost 700 dollars," Kylie said, scrolling through

yle. Anyway, stop looking at pom-poms.

and pick the best dan

d. "Goo

saw Reyna sprinting

h

d out after her,

The.

h Tyler, alone?!" Kylie

s mine. He loves me

trying to tak

bumped into each other. Nothing majo

Tyler? You better do something before

dare. I'll ma

e Reyna of things she's not

bed my han

ea

ed to take you

nked.

e you've clearly lo

unce the tryouts," I muttered, sto

eriously wron

ing to fin

ON – PI

froze. Everyone Mom, Mr. Francis, th

on?" I asked,

Mom hugged

happ

was s

y is everyo

't have enough for pizza ingredients? It w

ded.

of everything we needed. And gave eig

pped. "Wha

eir full salaries-and bonu

t's amazing! Wh

voice sai

fr

ta

by the door, arm

h

still being

re friends from sch

a smile.

you for a sec?" I a

and we ste

you doi

d. "What d

so... nice? What do

orry about your first day. I j

everything. You and your friends are the worst bu

an the girl who lied about you b

en know I work

e met. I recognized it.

rt pounding. Pleas

ding my thoughts. "I promise. P

eeping my secret. I think that's enough. I for

your friend,

n

. "Yes? Mom? Coming!" I fake-c