Page 135 of Just a Little White Lie

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It’s the first weekend after the dance competition, and it’s been an eventful couple days. Unfortunately, Ronan and Maverick got into it the day after the comp. I’m guessing Ronan said something particularly cruel, and it set Mav off. It was such a bummer. Thankfully, the principal only grounded Maverick for the weekend and made him sit through one lunchtime detention.

I have to believe he’ll get there. I just wish I could kick Ronan out of the school and give Maverick a fighting chance. But I guess if he can learn to keep his cool around Ronan, then he can succeed with anyone.

I told him that, and he gave me a small grin. He was obviously riled that he lost his temper and was beating himself up over the whole thing. I’ll keep a close eye on him next week and make sure he gets through unscathed. I don’t want anything dampening the triumph of what the misfits achieved.

Dance class on Thursday morning was a blast—we basically just partied. And yesterday, we looked up all the information for the North Island comp and had a big discussion about music and themes. They want first place so badly, the air practically vibrated with their desire.

They were into the discussion like it was the most important thing they were ever going to do, and I was struck by the contrast of my first few weeks at Haven Academy. They’ve come such a long way.I’vecome such a long way.

Which is why I’m sitting in Jack’s car while he drives me up to Auckland.

I don’t really want to go, but Luke told me I should, and Jack backed him up, so we’re heading to my parents’ place with an envelope full of cash and the news that I’ve been offered a teaching position at Haven Academy for the rest of this year… and maybe beyond. Luke said Mum and Dad will be stoked with that news. The cash will end up being the bonus.

It’s my first installment in paying them back. It’s going to take me eighteen months at this rate, which fits perfectly within Luke’s two-year plan (eye roll!). But that time frame only works if I stay at Luke’s paying cheap rent. It’s a depressing thought, that sense of being trapped, but then I turn to study Jack’s face and the burden is lifted.

Things could be so much worse.

And look at what I got out of this equation—the best boyfriend a girl could ask for.

We’re stopping by his parents’ house for dinner on our way back home. Apparently, they’re dying to meet this new girl Jack’s fallen for.

Eeeeppp! I hope they like me!

I grab his hand and raise his knuckles to my lips.

He snickers, brushing his thumb across my cheek. “You nervous?”

“A little, I just want your parents to like me.”

He grins. “Of course they will. You’re awesome. They’d be crazy not to love you. But I was actually asking if you’re nervous about seeingyourparents.”

“Oh, yeah, that. Totally.” I wince. “At least I’m starting to pay them back. Hopefully that will help. It still feels archaic handing them a wad of cash this way.”

“At the rate you’re going, Luke will reinstate your bank cards soon enough.”

I scoff. “I doubt it. That guy loves treating me like a child.”

“Well, you’re giving him less and less reason to.”

“Plus, I told him to stop it. Although, I’m sure he’ll forget every now and again.” I swivel in my seat so I can face my boyfriend. “Hey, um, not to get all serious, but before we reach my parents’ house and I introduce them to my super-hot boyfriend, I wanted to ask you something.”

“Fire away.”

“Well… I know my mother is going to ask this, so we should probably know ourselves…” I swallow and reach for a speck of nothing on my shirtsleeve. “What does the future hold for you and me?”

“Ah. The dreaded relationship question.” He winks, and I can’t help a grin.

“Come on. Tell me what you think.” I lightly squeeze his thigh.

“Well, I thought you wanted me to be a permanent fixture. That’s what your text said.”

I blush, still wondering if making a bold statement over text like that was romantic or cowardly. I watch him carefully, my courage building as I smile.

“I do want that, but what doyouwant?”

He takes his sweet time answering, and I’m sure he’s just doing it to torture me. After a huff, a light leg slap and a whining “Ja-ck!” he starts to laugh.

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