Page 29 of Faux Real
We manage to get through most of the class without saying a word to each other, that is until Sawyer breaks the blessed silence by asking, “So are youreallydating the new kid? I heard from—” He pauses. “What I mean is...is it true? You’re with Oliver now?”
Oh my God.I guess Corrine passed on the message.
“Yes, I am,” I confirm, turning my head toward Sawyer, his jaw twitching with irritation. He didn’t have this reaction in the hallway. Interesting. “Is that a problem? Does itbotheryou?”
“Not at all,” he says with a shrug, relaxing his muscles, his fingers fiddling with an eraser. “Do whatever you want. I mean, you just met the guy but sure, go ahead and date him. I don’t care.”
I scoff. He totally cares. My plan is working faster than I expected. Eat your heart out, dickwad.
“Try again.”
“I’m serious, KC,” he whispers, rubbing the back of his neck. “I don’t care.”
“If you didn’t care then you wouldn’t have brought it up,” I retort, keeping my eyes on my planner. “Clearly, it’s bothering you.”
“Why would it bother me?” he asks, his tone defensive. “If anything, I feel bad for the guy. He doesn’t know what he’s gotten himself into.”
I roll my eyes. “Someone’s butthurt,” I murmur, internally grinning.
He issojealous. It’s only a matter of time before he realizes he made a grave mistake, and he takes me back. Then everything will go back to normal; my plan to rule Harvard together will be back on track.
I’m well aware that I’m walking a thin tightrope between love and hate, but I can’t help it, I’m hurt yet pining at the same time.
I blame psychology.
“I amnotbutthurt,” he seethes, shifting his weight, the seat creaking beneath him. “I just find it interesting you were able to move on so quickly.”
“What?”Is he fucking with me right now?Hate. Now I’m teetering toward hate. “Me? You waited, what? Two weeks before hooking up with Corrine?”
“I didn’t—”
“Mr. Redford, Miss Carmichael,” our teacher’s voice booms from the front of the class, all heads turning to face us.Shit. “I’m sure whatever you’re discussing can wait until I’m done lecturing. Now please, pay attention, I won’t be repeating myself.”
I catch Oliver’s speculative gaze as his eyes dart between me and Sawyer.Ugh. Great.
“Sorry, Mr. Takanaki,” I say, tossing a sly smile at my ex-boyfriend. “Sawyer was just asking me how to turn on a camera.” A few laughs circulate the room.
“And KC was just asking me how to be a decent human being,” he counters, scowling at me. “Apparently she’s worried about going to hell.”
Asshole.
“Yeah, well,Sawyer—”
“That’s enough,” Mr. Takanaki sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Both of you,please, just remain silent for the next ten minutes.”
I slump in my seat. This is the first time I’ve ever been scolded by a teacher. Ever! Maybe I can volunteer to clean his lenses or something. Get back into his good graces.
“If you kept your voice down, he wouldn’t have said anything,” Sawyer whispers in a sour tone. “Completely your fault.”
“Oh,shut up,” I murmur, turning my body away from Sawyer.
My fault?I wasn’t the one who initiated dialogue! I have nothing to say to Sawyer anyway. Nothing. He still hasn’t explained why he broke up with me. Probably because he can’t come up with a good lie. It’s doubtful he’d actually tell me the truth, that it’s because I wouldn’t sleep with him. It’s the only reasonable explanation. We had no other problems. None.
It’s quiet for the rest of class and when the bell finally rings, I hop out of my seat and run out the door, heavy footsteps following closely behind.
“Isn’t talking during class against therules?” Oliver sings, brushing past me. “Aren’t you supposed to be setting the standard for proper conduct?” He waves his index finger at me and tsks. “Bad girl.”
“Don’t remind me,” I groan, looking around us. Dozens of sets of eyes are eerily staring at us like we’re under a spotlight. Damn it. I suck in a sharp breath, meeting Oliver’s gaze.Showtime. “Take my hand.”
