Goddamn it. I was really hoping she wasn’t as pissed at me as she was with Knox and Silas. I don’t like this feeling of defeat. Of rejection. But there’s determination in her eyes, and I know for a fact that I’ll just make things worse if I try to touch her again.
 
 Pity I’ve never been great with words, else I could have persuaded her to come around. I know how to make her feel good, though. But if she won’t let me touch her...
 
 “Then this is goodbye, baby girl,” I tell her softly, turning sideways so I don’t brush her as I exit the empty classroom. “Don’t let anyone steal your sunshine, hear me?”
 
 God knows why my throat closes, but I turn my back and I thump down the hallway, and I don’t look back.
 
 It’s for the best.
 
 It would never have worked, anyway. A girl like her, and a guy like me. Plus, I’d always feel guilty being with her around Knox and Silas. Knowing I had what they wanted, but could never get.
 
 There’s a crawling sensation between my shoulder blades, my body tense with anticipation as I wait for her to call my name.
 
 But she doesn’t.
 
 Goddamn it…she doesn’t.