Page 148 of Worthy

Frowning, I lean back and let my hands slide from around his neck. “Miss me? I’m still me. I’m right here.”

“You’re not.”

My teeth grind while I stare at him. Ever since that night, a darkness has been growing inside me. I’m tired of living up to this image of me. “I’m sorry I don’t fit into your perfect life.”

I climb off his lap, then right my skirt as my eyes dance across the cafeteria. Melanie is gone.

“Babe,” he groans, reaching out for me. “I didn’t mean it that way.”

“It doesn’t matter.” I shrug free of his grip on my wrist. “I need to be alone.”

He doesn’t follow me, and I’m relieved. The feeling I used to have—that I’m not into him like I should be—is not merely a feeling anymore. It’s the truth. So why do I stay? It’s becoming more difficult by the day to pretend my stupid image matters.

I find Melanie in the chemistry classroom.

As soon as I shut the door and flip the lock, my lips spread into a smile. “You’re predictable.”

Drawing skulls on the whiteboard, she doesn’t turn around at my slow approach. “Maybe we both are.”

My eyes slide down her body, taking in her ass in her tight, black jeans. I bite my lip to stifle the urge to groan out loud. “What’s so special about this classroom?”

“Mr. Peters hates me. It’s fun to fuck with him.”

I stop beside her, close enough to breathe in her spicy perfume. Her lips are painted blood red today, contrasting with her favorite purple lipstick. “He hates everyone.”

Her tongue slides over her supple lip as she shrugs. “Why are you here? Isn’t the gymnasium more up your street?”

I pick up a red marker and draw an image of Donald Duck next to her multitude of skulls.

“Really? Donald?” There’s a hint of amusement in her voice. I love it.

“To answer your question, I happen to like this classroom.” I stick my tongue out in concentration while adding details to Donald’s face. And then, as I lean back, I find her watching me closely. “What?”

“Nothing.” She fights to stop her smile from spreading.

I can’t hold mine back either. Capping my marker, I place it down before turning to face her. I make no secret of watching her as I lean with my shoulder on the whiteboard. “Tell me.”

“Tell you what?” She mirrors me.

My eyes dance over her face. She’s so beautiful that it takes my breath away. Though, I would never admit that to myself. “Why you looked at me like that.”

Shrugging, she chews on her blood-red lip, and my clit begins to throb in response. “You stick your tongue out when you concentrate. It’s cute.”

“Cute?” I flash her a wide smile because I can.

She looks down, and her knee jerks like she can’t quite stand still. When she lifts her gaze, my heart beats faster. It’s weird. I’ve never had a physical reaction like this to anyone before. Especially not a girl.

“Yeah, cute.”

“I’m not sure I want to be cute.”

Her airy laughter fills the large room. “No? How so?”

I trap my bottom lip between my teeth, then slowly release it while I purposefully hold her gaze. I’m flirting. “Sexy is one thing, but cute?” I shake my head. “No, it’s not good enough.”

Nodding slowly, she looks around the room in search of a topic.

“Still hate me?”

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