Page 91 of Exactly What I Needed
“Have you seen? Please tell me you’ve seen it? It’s all over, and everyone in school is talking about it!” She danced between her feet, seemingly more excited than anything.
“Seen what?” I tipped my head sideways as she smoothed out her beach waves.
“This!” She shoved her phone into my hand, and I looked down at the screen.
It was my turn to be shocked, widening my eyes as my jaw hit the floor. Staring at the picture, my heart was on the ground, and it was as if someone stomped on it. If they got this picture, what else did they get?
My back was at least facing the camera, but Asher was holding my face, kissing me. Outside my car. From last night.
“Right? I can’t believe it either! More than just some random girl on his motorcycle! He’s kissing her!” She squealed in glee. “Oh, and there’s more!”
“M-more?!” I choked, nearly falling off my chair.
“More,” she replied with a devilish grin. “See?”
She leaned over and began scrolling. They were in an entire article on the internet! Not just a social media page, and it wasn’t just pictures of my back. No, there were some from my profile, though luckily you couldn’t make out any distinguishing facial features as Asher’s arm or hands or even his face kept me very hidden.
She stopped scrolling for a moment. “Okay, I have to make sure that I won’t get in trouble for the next few pictures because we are at school.” She blinked innocently.
“You won’t get in trouble,” I quickly replied, absolutely terrified for what was to come. Especially if she had to pause and add some caveat to seeing them.
“Okay, good. Because they are juicy.” She grinned and slid the article down.
Exactly where Asher’s hand was. Down his pants, as he was bending forward to crawl into my car after me. My own hand involuntarily covered my mouth as the next pictures were of a foggy car with his palm slammed against the window.
“We totally know what those two were doing.” Selena pulled her phone away, and I continued to stare at the blank space in front of me.
This wasn’t happening. If someone found out that was me, I most certainly would be fired. It didn’t matter that it happened off campus. If anyone found out I was an English teacher for high school kids, I was doomed.
“So, obviously the internet is going insane because, well, he’s totally got a girlfriend. Looks like only Kieron is single,” she added.
I whipped my head up. “Wait, does everyone know Drake and Jaxon are taken?”
“Of course. No one knows who they are, but they’ve been caught kissing someone before. Not doing what Asher and his girl are doing in the backseat of that car, though, but yeah.” She lifted a brow.
“How do you know that’s what’s happening? You’re a teenager,” I quickly scolded, trying to shift the conversation away from the fact that it was me. Definitely doing exactly what she was assuming I was doing in the back seat with him.
“BecauseI’m a teenager. Obviously.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Plus, he’s got his hand in his pants, following you into that car. What other reason would he have—”
“Followingme?” I cut her off, and she slyly grinned.
“Yes, you.”
“Uh, I’m sorry, but I didn’t even know—”
“Miss Duval. Don’t play dumb with me. That dress that is in those pictures is the exact one you were wearing yesterday.”
“It’s a very common outfit, Selena.”
Her hand suddenly shot forward and wrapped around the chain around my neck, tugging the ring hanging on the end free from beneath my dress. “Exactly what I thought,” she stated. “Plus, you asked about Jaxon’s and Drake’s relationships by name.” The blood froze in my veins as I stared at her.
Chatter outside of the classroom filled the vacant walls around me. Nothing more than steady breathing bounced between us as the light from the windows flashed off Asher’s ring. The warm metal links of the necklace around my neck bit into my skin. She knew.
My fingers slowly found the chain and gently slipped it from her grasp. “Selena, I am begging you. Please don’t tell anyone.” Carefully, I tucked the ring back down my shirt and then looked back up at her face.
A grin spread on her lips. Blood rose to her cheeks as she trembled and then shrieked. “Oh my gosh! I can’t believe I was right! I can’t believe I am face-to-face with Asher’s girlfriend! I can’t believe it’s my teacher of all people! And one who definitely doesn’t fit his vibe, but maybe that makes it all the better! Miss Duval is in love with a rock star! Who sings metal! Who screams! Who is absolutely drool worthy and—” She paused, staring at me. “Can I say a bad word?”
I chuckled. “Just one and just this once.”
