Page 87 of Heartless Monster

The second we’re dismissed, I’m on my feet and out the classroom door.

“Elodie,” I hear Brady holler from behind me. “Wait up.”

I spin around to face him, tapping the toe of my shoe to the floor. “Hey. What’s up?” I look around, searching from Rome.

“Someone’s in a hurry,” he jokes as Julia approaches us.

“Sorry,” I tell him. “I just need to talk to someone.”

“Is that someone Rome?” Julia asks, her eyebrows dancing on her forehead. “I notice you two have been hanging out together, and actually getting along.”

I’m surprised Julia has noticed. It’s only been a couple days since Rome and I even acknowledged that we don’t hate one other, and we’ve been pretty secretive about our newfound friendship—if that’s what you call it.

“It is Rome,” I say truthfully. “I’ve been helping him study for his history test and I’m anxious to find out how he did.”

“Oh,” Julia deadpans. “He passed.”

“What?” I beam all too enthusiastically. “How do you know?”

“Because I’m in that class with him.” She laughs. “After Mr. Price gave back our graded tests, Rome was hooting and hollering, giving everyone high fives.”

I clap my hands over my heart. “That’s the best news.”

Rome put up a fight when we first started studying for this test, but in the end, he was giving it all he’s got. I made him do two practice tests and he passed both of them with flying colors. He deserves this. He really does.

I spot him coming down the hall, his hand raised holding his test. “I did it!” he roars over the noisy students. “I passed, Freckles.”

Brady pinches his brows tightly. “Freckles? That’s original.”

“Shut up.” I chuckle, my face blushing as I punch him teasingly in the chest.

Rome and I eat up the space between us and when I think he’s just going to reach out and give me a high five like he supposedly did with everyone else, he throws his test, and it falls like a feather to the ground.

The next thing I know, I’m being lifted up and twirled around in circles. “We did it. B-fucking-plus!” he sings before setting me back down on my feet. He peers down at me, a wide grin on his face. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

My hand glides over his upper arm. “It was all you, Rome. I’m really proud of you.”

“Thanks for your help.” He moves his hands from my waist. “It means more than you’ll ever know.”

“It was no problem at all. So, it sounds like tonight’s game will be your last one on the bench.”

“Finally. I can’t wait to be back out there next Friday.” He shoots a thumb over his shoulder, then says, “I’ve gotta catch the bus for tonight’s away game. You going now that you’ve got your car back?”

I’ve been around people all day, every day for more days than I can count, and I’m really looking forward to a quiet night home while the rest of our family is there.

“I didn’t plan on going,” I tell him. “I really should get a jump start on next week's assignments.”

“Nerd alert,” Julia intervenes with her hands cupped around her mouth. She throws an arm around my shoulders and pulls me close. “There’s no way you’re spending your Friday night doing schoolwork that hasn’t even been assigned yet. It’s just one town over in Ravencrest. You’re going with me and Brady.”

It’s unnerving even considering going to Ravencrest, but I know there are more people there than the three I encountered last year. I can’t blame the whole town for their asshole ways.

I sigh, shoulders stooped. “You’re all bad influences, you know that?”

“It’s settled then,” Rome says. “I’ll see you at the game.” He cocks a brow, waiting impatiently for my response.

My backbone fails me when I say, “I guess so.”

“Sweet.” Rome flashes a smile before he turns and heads toward the gym.

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