Page 104 of Just a Little White Lie

“Yeah.” I nod. “You should put your name forward.”

He shakes his head, his nose wrinkling like the idea hadn’t even occurred to him.

“Jack, come on.” I smile. “This would be perfect for you. And it might make work a little more entertaining if you had some classes to look forward to. You’d be so great at it.”

“I don’t know.” He shrugs.

I study his reticent pout and slowly close the space between us. Wrapping my arms around his waist, I gaze up at him. “I know you got burned, but there are no TV cameras in this place, and no one’s going to accuse you of cheating. Think of how much fun you’ve had working with the Misfits.”

“It was fun because you were there,” he retorts, sliding his hands down my arms before pulling me against him.

“It was fun because it was dancing, and youlovedancing,” I quietly argue.

He doesn’t say anything, just stares at me for a long moment before pressing his lips to my forehead. I wonder what he’s thinking. I wish he’d tell me, but someone knocks on the glass.

“Jack, can you help me for a sec? Sorry to interrupt.”

“No worries, Maria.” He lets me go, lightly touching my face before walking away. “I’ll see you this afternoon, ’kay?”

“See ya.” I tinkle my fingers at him and do a spin in the space before leaving my boyfriend to his shift and slowly ambling back through town, wondering how I can convince him to pursue his passion once more.

LAUREN

The rest of April disappears as Jack and I get to know each other in all the ways a couple can. We laugh, we kiss, we dance, we date, we spend way too long getting out of bed in the morning and probably too long going to sleep at night.

I’m blissfully happy whenever he’s around. I didn’t know it could be like this, and I’m not sure I ever want it to stop. There have been a few brief moments of tension, mainly when I raise the dance class idea with him. I don’t want to argue over it, and I can tell Jack’s digging his heels in. I refuse to be a pushy girlfriend, so I’ve dropped the subject for now.

Luke’s pushy enough for everyone in the house, and we don’t need more of that. My brother doesn’t love the fact that Jack and I are sharing our bedrooms, but he’ll just have to deal. Only one night with my boyfriend beside me was addictive enough for me to turn it into an instant habit.

When Jack’s at work, I feel a little lost, but I spend my time reconnecting with my old high school buddies, checking in with my roommates in London, and chasing up Helen. I loved Jack’s idea of getting the Misfits to perform in front of the school and I rang her in the first week to ask.

During the conversation, she agreed to give me another contract to cover Term 2. If the dance competition goes well, she’s offered to give me a contract for the rest of the year. I didn’t think something like that would ever make me happy, but there it is—a warm, reassuring buzz that’s half joy, half comfort.

Seriously, what is wrong with me?

The other thing she agreed to, after much pestering from me, was to allow the Misfits to perform at the full-school assembly on the first Monday back.

I’m so thrilled and can’t wait to tell them, which is why I arrive early on the first day back and spend my time arranging their costumes and making sure they look perfect.

As soon as the group trails in after homeroom, I spin with an enthusiastic smile that only falters a little. There’s an underlying tension in the air. I can feel it vibrating between the students, and I’m immediately alert.

“Hey, guys.” I force a bright grin. “Welcome back!”

I get a few murmured greetings, and they slump onto the floor. We’re back to bland stares and a caustic energy rattling in the air.

“How was your holiday?”

As soon as I ask the question, I know.

I realize.

These guys were all sent home—a place this school is protecting them from. I should have thought to look into where each of them went.

I know for a fact that Maverick was sent back to his parents, and I can tell by the scowl on his face that it didn’t go well.

Crap.

I need to get these guys out of their funk, back into comfortable routines that will make them feel safe again.

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