a's

ys...

llway together. She's chatting away about how she's going to acc

want extra credit. I smirk as I shove my books into my

sly. Don't wait up... I'l

, a weird ripple moves through the packed hallway. People are

ng on myself? Two sophomores walk by, and one of them

ad and shove it back in. I'm embarrassed, clearly. But I'

ri

lse spikes anyway. When I turn, Jason Monroe is standing there. He shov

whatever he has to say. It's trash. Whatever he says is always

? Leave me alone. No

hree words, loudly, like he wants the whol

ssed

hadn't mentioned the kiss. He didn't remembe

e me?"

spoiled milk. "I kissed you?" He repeats, louder t

ring the heat burning up my neck. "Y

is voice rises. "How c

it's the worst thing ever. My throat suddenly feels tight, b

even a question? Look in the mirro

or, Aria. Maybe t

y chest

why your silly excuse for a best friend lied about

haking. I can't breathe. I'm dying. I'm

m the party. You totally liked me

y now blu

I'm sorry... because now I remember. And it

a snake bite? Nah.. It's humiliation. Of course, it has to be. I

and moving to his cheek

i

me, her chest heavin

laze. "You jus

I think you've said enough. Leave

ily. If I were her, behind the fury of Jaso

ur life a living h

s chest. "You shouldn't have said such words to Aria. You

hard I think his teeth might crack. Then, with on

his silent. It takes a beat before th

llway, away from the stares and the whispers. "Bathroo

nside. Luckily, it's empty. She locks th

illing down my cheeks. I cover my face with my ha

ou dare cry because of him," she whispers fiercely.

ut the tears won't stop. And his mea

... they hear

's opinion isn't gospel. He's a jerk, Ari

more like a sob. "You slapped h

he opens his ugly mouth near you. Actually, remind me to buy hand cream la

e was nasty. Do you know how humiliating that

ur first kiss isn't ruined just because some idiot doesn't know h

burn. I do

orget him. He doesn't get

ror and shudder. Puffy eyes, flus

ly. I wish I weren't this soft-hearted girl who'd break down so easily. I wi

l would think I threw

on't fo

hievously. "Simple. We

ike she's lost h

ol scandals without spin. You either cry in the bathroom forev

room door rattles. Someone's trying to get

voice calls th

pen up.