Page 13 of Only When It Breaks

I’veliterallymade him a hero.

He doesn’t bask in it, though. Instead, he gives a small, awkward smile, pushing his way through the crowd until he stops at his locker. Two down from mine.

We make brief eye contact. I look away fast, pretending to search for something in my locker.

Then Ava gasps and I realise he’s beside me. I slam the locker shut. He gives me an easy grin.

“Morning,” he says, voice smooth as silk.

“Good morning.”

“Sleep well?”

I narrow my eyes.What’s his game?This is the same guy who ignored me for two years unless I was the punchline. Now he’s beingnice?

“Why aren’t you enjoying your hero status?” I ask, hugging my books. “Think of all the girls you’ll con into bed.”

He shrugs. “Everyone loves an underdog. If they see me talking to you? Bonus points.”

I stare at him for a second, then smirk. “You sure you can spell underdog without help?” A few nearby girls snigger and there’s a sharp intake of breath from Ava. Kai’s smile falters for half a second, long enough to see I’ve hit a nerve. I shift my books to my other arm and tilt my head. “Careful, Kai, don’t blow your hot guy cover by talking to me.”

Then I turn on my heel and walk away.

Someone behind me mutters, ‘She’s savage,’ and it makes me smile. But I realised something when I took Kai’s phone. He’s just the same as me, just the same as every other teenager. He’s got his insecurities, his own worries. He’s not some untouchable God with a great body, although he’s that too. I give my head a shake.What am I thinking?

At lunch, Ava drops her tray beside mine, eyes wide. “Okay. That was legendary earlier. You had him speechless.”

I shrug, picking at my sandwich. “Just gave him a taste of his own medicine.”

Ava watches me for a moment, then leans in. “Youlikedit, though. Having him that close.”

I pause mid-chew. “I liked putting him in his place.” But it’s not the whole truth. And Ava knows it. “Besides, I had some inside information.” She waits for me to swallow. “He has spelling apps on his phone, loads of them. It’s an insecurity.”

Ava frowns, “That’s a little mean then.”

I laugh to hide the shame I’ve been feeling since the words left my mouth this morning. “You heard what he said to me first, right?”

She shrugs, picking at her own sandwich. “Well, yeah, but that doesn’t make it right.”

I shove my food away and stand. “I need to go to the library,” I mutter. “Catch you later?” And I rush off.

I find a table right at the back where Mrs Tippleton can’t see me finish my lunch. She’s very strict on that sort of thing. I tap my pen against my notebook, pretending to be productive. Really, I’m watching the minutes crawl by.

My phone buzzes.

Kai:Do your friends ever just drop you? Like, overnight?

I stare at the screen, lips twitching.

Me: Is this a general question or are you having a dramatic lunch alone right now?

Kai: Lunch alone. No sarcasm needed.

Me: Plenty of people are alone right now, look around. How many loners do you see?

Of course, he doesn’t see other people face this kind of thing daily, mainly because they’re not in his circle. If you’re not popular, you’re a nobody.

Kai: Surprisingly, a few.

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