Page 48 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

“My feelings are hurt,” he says sarcastically.

“Dude, what’s your problem?”

“Miss Hastings and Mr. Sanders?” Mr. Ortiz interrupts. “No talking in class.”

He and I keep our gazes on each other for a few seconds before I yank mine away and focus on the lesson. When class is over, he grabs his backpack and is out the door before Mr. Ortiz even finishes his final words.

The rest of the day passes, and then school is over and it’s time for me to head to the girls’ locker room to change for football practice. But I need to put away some textbooks and other things in my regular locker first. As I’m stashing things inside, I feel someone watching me. When I look to the left, I see Kade standing by his locker, eyes pasted on me. He has that same angry expression on his face. Every part of me wants to demand again what the heck his problem is, but there’s no point. I focus on putting the rest of my stuff in my locker.

“Dude, what the heck?” I hear a guy yell.

When I glance in his direction, I see Kade trying to pass through a group of three guys. They don’t move aside to let him through. Kade tries pushing through them.

“What a psycho,” one of the other guys says. “Get lost, creep.”

“Move out of the way,” Kade growls.

The guys purposely blockade him. “Where’re you running off to, freak? To visit your mom and dad in prison?”

Kade shoves into them, but they don’t budge.

“You’re living off our parents’ tax dollars, psycho. Who told you to be born? I’d rather my parents buy me a sports car than pay for good people to take in trash like you.”

“Shut up,” Kade seethes.

“You’re gonna end up in the can like your loser parents. Just throw yourself into oncoming traffic to save yourself the trouble—”

I slam my locker shut and march over to them. “Hey! Leave him alone.”

They all turn around to face me. The leader of the group snickers. “You got a girl defending you? Lost your manhood the day your parents were dragged away by the cops?” The other guys guffaw.

“Not that she’s much of a girl,” another guy says, looking me over.

“Watch it or I’ll wipe the floor with your sorry excuse for a face,” I warn.

They chortle like this is the funniest thing in the world.

“Get lost,” Kade growls at me.

The guys laugh. “Even he doesn’t want her.”

“One against three, huh?” I roll my eyes. “You guys are so tough.”

“I said, get out of here.” Kade glares at me. “Mind your own business.”

The guys laugh even louder.

“No, Kade. I don’t know what your problem is, but—”

“What part of get the heck out of here don’t you understand? I don’t want you here.”

“Ooh,” the guys guffaw again.

“Shut up!” I snap at them.

Kade’s glare grows more intense. “Don’t fight my battles for me. Leave me the heck alone.”

My insides start to boil. “You know something? Fine. If you want to be the biggest jerk of the century, be my guest.” I whirl around and march toward the exit of the school.

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