Page 46 of Harmony

“If you have anything to say about it, sure.”

Then I walk away. Sure, today’s reason for bumping into me seems logical, but I’m starting to wonder if he really is stalking me. I mean, had that man not grabbed me, would we have even crossed paths?

I’m still lost in my thoughts when I make it to the food court.

“What’s wrong?” Tiffany asks as I approach her.

I shake my head, my face scrunching up. “I ran into someone I’ve seen a couple times at the parties. It felt off though.”

Her eyes widen. “Do you know his name?”

I nod. “Jared.”

Her eyes look relieved. “Why did it feel off?”

I can’t tell her the truth. To do so, it would mean admitting I was spying on her. Instead, I shake it off. “I don’t know. Maybe because I didn’t expect to see him here.”

“Well, it is the only mall in this area. You’re bound to run into someone you know, eventually,” she points out.

“True. Just seemed weird.”

“Well, forget about it. What are you in the mood to eat?”

And just like that, it’s forgotten by her. But I can’t help the nagging feeling that there’s more to that guy than meets the eye.

-

Eighteen

“Meetme in the back of the art class after second period,” he whispers into my ear making chills tingle down my spine.

I glance over to where Nate is, striding away with all that playboy swagger. The girls in the hall are watching him, their tongues hanging out after him.

I can’t even blame them. I want to pant too, but Katie is standing in front of me, so I settle on a glare.

“What did he want?” she whispers.

I grunt, “He’s an asshole.”

“What did he say?”

I swallow hard, making up a lie. “Reminding me I’m a trailer trash whore. Nothing new.”

“Wow. He really does hate you.” She looks surprised.

“Oh, have you not gotten that by now? I mean, you’ve seen him in English.”

She chuckles as I let her loop her arm through mine. “I thought that was some kind of flirting or foreplay. Like you guys did it to turn each other on. So you really think he hates you?”

“Katie, Tiffany made me confront his basically sister. He’s so protective of Willow, it’s not funny. I can promise you, he hates me.”

She smiles up at me. “You can confide in me, Hailee. We’re friends. It’s obvious you like him. I think he might like you, too. Plus, you know what they say. There’s a thin line between love and hate.”

I scoff. “Trust me. There is no love here. Only mutual hatred.”

“I think you protest too much, but what do I know? I’m still a virgin basically. I mean there was my initiation task, but I’ve never even had a boyfriend.”

I look at her sympathetically. No one should have to lose their virginity the way she did.

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