Page 130 of Until the Ribbon Breaks

“I can’t afford a bad grade,” Noah says, but it’s in the background as I pretend to write something in my notebook, hoping they will just ignore me and go to their seats.

“Hey, slut.” Kassi’s voice is just loud enough to get the attention of a few nearby students.

My skin radiates in mortification, and I sink down in my seat. I don’t need to look up to know that people are staring at me.

“FYI, my boyfriend isn’t into the whole teen-mom thing, so you can stop the flirting. You just look desperate.”

A few people start snickering. I want to run, but I’m paralyzed with anxiety.

“What the hell is your problem?” Noah defends, but I wish he wouldn’t, he’s only drawing more attention.

“You aren’t seriously sticking up for this loser, are you?”

“Why are you pretending to be Sebastian’s girlfriend? The whole school knows he dumped you.”

God, Noah, stop.

“Then why was he out with me the other night?”

She and Cara laugh obnoxiously, but it’s cut off when Mr. Wilcox walks in. “Textbooks out, everyone.”

My pulse is on fire as I steep in utter embarrassment, wishing to the gods above to vanish me into thin air.

“She’s a bitch,” Noah grumbles under his breath, and I drop my pencil before my death grip snaps it in two.

“I don’t need you sticking up for me,” I whisper, and when I finally get the courage to move, I look at him from the corner of my eye to see he’s ticked off.

Well, I’m ticked off too. At Noah, at Kassi, and even at Sebastian. He shouldn’t have put that turtle in my locker.

Grinding my teeth, the hour passes and I have nothing to show for it. How can I possibly pay attention when I’m too busy festering in irritation?

I’m already packed up before the bell rings, and when it finally sounds, I make a mad dash out of the class as Noah calls for me to wait. But I don’t. Before anyone else can have a chance to say anything to me, I start pushing my way through the halls.

“Harlow.”

“I’ll talk to you later, Noah,” I say, but I know he can’t hear me above all the noise now that school is out.

“Hey, there you are.” Jennifer, the new editor jumps in front me, forcing me to stop. “I know you’re photographing the homecoming game this Friday, but I was wondering if you could also shoot the dance on Saturday night.”

“Gabby’s assigned to that,” I tell her, wanting to get the heck out of here.

“She’s sick and can’t do it.”

“It’s Wednesday. I’m sure she’ll feel better by then.”

“Why are you running away from me?” Noah says when he finally catches up, and I cringe because I just want to go.

“Well, if she isn’t, can you do it?”

“Yeah, whatever.” I dart around her, and Noah trails me.

“Thanks!”

“Can you stop for one second?” he gripes, but I keep going. “I feel like there’s something you aren’t telling me.”

Finally making it to the doors, I head out into the parking lot and toward my car. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’re never around.”

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