“Now you’re coming to her rescue?” Emily snickered.

“I don’t need anyone to fight my battles, bitch.” My body jerked against Rocco’s chest as I lunged toward her.

“If anything, he saved your ass a concussion.”

“Shit, principal Keene’s coming this way.” Rocco held me close as we walked in the opposite direction.

“Let me go.”

“No,” he growled.

“She thinks I’m weak.”

“I know you aren’t.” He strolled into my calculus class and planted my ass in my seat.

Folding my arms, I stared through him.

“Calm down, Princess.”

“Don’t you princess me.”

His lips grazed my ear. A tingle wiggled up my spine.

“Think before you make a move.” His soft lips pressed against my fiery cheek.

I didn’t watch him leave.

“Ryah, is everything, all right?” Mrs. Oillier stood at the chalkboard, peering at me over her shoulder.

She was ready to write the first math problem on the board like she did every morning.

I mustered a smile. “Yes, I’m fine.”

My cell buzzed in my tiny inner blazer pocket.

Gripping the elastic band holding my hair tight, I tugged it until my curls danced along my shoulders.

“Can you believe it? She’s really Rocco’s girlfriend.”

“He’s never shown affection to anyone other than her,” the other girl added behind me.

I glanced around the room. Students’ eyes honed in on their phone screens. Did I want to know what they were saying about me? No.

The studious girl next to me copied every problem off the board.

Leaning in, I grinned. “Lysa, may I borrow a pencil and a sheet of paper?”

Her brown eyes lit up. “Sure.” She gathered the materials.

“You’re the most talked about girl in school. Every girl hates you. Not me, though. You and Rocco make a cute couple.” Her mahogany cheeks lifted.

“Thank you.”

She placed the paper and pencil in my hand.

“You often sit by yourself at lunch, studying. You can sit with us if you want. It’s an open invitation.”

Her thick brows rose. “I’d love to.”