Page 44 of The Do-Over

“Your car is being impounded because of the high rate of speed.Here is a pamphlet listing all of the information about how long it will be impounded for and how you can get it back at that time.”

“My car is going to jail?”

“Better it than you, don’t you think?”

“Of course.” Jail would totally mess up my plans for the day.

“Your license is also being revoked until your court date. At that time, the judge can make the decision on whether or not it’s possible for you to get it back.”

“Wow—you guys aren’t playing out here today, are you?”

He took off his glasses and looked at me with his eyebrows all screwed together, like he couldn’t believe my nerve. “Young lady, this is a big deal.”

“I know. I was just joking, you know, to try to lighten the mood.”

“Do you have someone who can come pick you up?”

Since my parents sucked at taking my calls and I wasn’t in the mood for their buzzkill lectures anyway, I said, “My parents are both in meetings this morning so I know they can’t answer their phones. I have a really important assignment due in first block that I don’t want to miss, either. Would there be any way that you could maybe just drop me off at Hazelwood whenever you’re done here?”

CONFESSION #11

I’ve daydreamed for years about getting in a fistfight with Khloe Kardashian. I’m positive I could take her.

The officer dropped me off with a look that was half impressed and half disgusted. As soon as I got into the school, I went straight to Josh’s locker. If I couldn’t find a way to end the repeating days, at least I could dump him for kissing Macy and feel like I had some kind of control over my romantic life. I’d missed all of first period, but happened to get lucky enough to show up during passing period, which meant the odds were good that he’d be there.

My phone vibrated.Dad: Call me NOW.

So Lisa had told him about the car.

Or the cops had.

I turned down the north hall and—wow. There he was.

Josh was standing beside his locker, laughing with Noah, and it kind of took my breath away. He was just soJoshin that moment. Pretty and funny and the guy who should’ve been perfect for me.

He’d read Sylvia Plath to me on a blanket in the grass, for the love of God. How could it be that he wasn’t the one?

“Emmie!” His eyes landed on me and my face got hot, just like italways did. He grinned the smile that told me he knew what he did to me and he said, “Get over here!”

I walked over to his locker and before I had a chance to publiclybuh-byehim like I’d planned, he wrapped his long-fingered hands around my waist and pulled me against him.

His friends walked away, the friends that I’d planned on impressing with my epic dumping abilities.

“There you are.” He set his forehead against mine, and I got sucked into his deep, quiet voice. “The prettiest girl in school.”

“I, um—”

“You want your Valentine’s present now?” He pulled back a little and tucked my hair behind my ear. “You look incredible today, by the way.”

Instead of opening my mouth and saying dumping words, I said, “Thanks.”

“Ms. Hornby. Mr. Sutton. Please get to class.” Ms. Radke, the Lit teacher, crossed her arms and gave us the stink eye from behind her wire glasses.

Josh grinned at me. “Missed your chance. Lunch?”

I nodded, and he dropped a peck on my lips before turning and walking in the other direction.

“Get moving, Ms. Hornby.”

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