Page 21 of Isabella and the Slipper

Savannah’s eyes grew to the size of grapefruits. Isabella nodded, not trusting her voice.

“Okay. See you in class.” He sauntered off to sit at the popular-kids’ table.

Savannah whacked her in the arm. “Shut up! You’re going out withChase Hawkins?”

“Not goingoutout. We’re partners on a science project. We have to go get supplies.”

“Oh.” Her shoulders slumped. “I was about ready to jump up and down screaming.”

Isabella took another bite of her lasagna, hoping she didn’t look guilty.

“But working with the hottest guy in school on your project has to be cool, right?” Savannah’s eyes held a secret smile. “Maybe he’ll fall for you.”

Isabella snorted and pushed her glasses up. “Yeah, right.”

A chime from inside her backpack made her freeze. She glanced at Chase. He was sitting at his table, looking at his phone. Her pulse sped up, and she fished around in her backpack for hers.

You having a good day?

She surveyed the lunchroom. About half the people had phones in their hands. If she answered, it wouldn’t be obvious. She swiped and texted back.

Not bad so far. How about you?

She snuck another peek at him. A slow grin formed on his face and he texted a response.

My day is always better with you in it, Five.

Heat flushed her face.You’re such a flirt.

Chase threw his head back and laughed. Savannah snatched the phone out of her hands, and panic broke out in Isabella’s chest. She grabbed it back before Savannah could see the screen.

“Hey!” Savannah protested. “Who’re you texting?”

Now she was stuck. She was a terrible liar. She hid the phone in her lap. “Chase,” she whispered.

“About your project?” Savannah squinted at her. “Why’re you blushing?”

And then the truth just came spilling out. She told Savannah about dropping her phone in the gym, how their phones got switched, and how they’d been texting since. Savannah listened, her excitement growing as the story came out. She looked like she was a balloon about to burst. “And he doesn’t know who you are?”

“No.”

“Good. Don’t tell him. A mysterious woman is way more attractive.” Savannah squealed and clapped her hands. “This is so much fun. You have to call me tonight and tell me everything after you get supplies for class.”

“Okay.”

Paul, Savannah’s younger brother, approached their table. He was the perfect nerd. Captain of the chess club. Always wore a button-down shirt. But he was a sweetie. He was in Isabella’s photography class. “Hey, Isabella. Do you have the notes from today’s lecture? I was out taking a test.”

“Sure. I’ll get them ready and give them to Vannah.”

He smiled. “Thanks.”

The bell rang, and chaos erupted as everyone scrambled to dump their trash and stack their trays.

Savannah made a phone gesture with her hand and then gave a thumbs-up. Isabella smiled at her and squeezed out into the hallway. The day crawled by until physics class. She arrived before Chase and took her seat. When he came in, he smiled at her.

Mr.Morgan spent the class giving a lecture about centripetal motion, but she couldn’t think about anything besides seeing Chase that night. It wasn’t a date, but it was as close as she was ever going to get, and that made her heart pound.

Chase turned around after class. “See you tonight.” He smiled his movie-star smile, and she about melted.

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