Page 16 of Withered

“I know. I drew in that copy because history is so boring, and I forgot to bring it today,” she explains.

I shake my head at her.Only Kristy.

I’ve got biology lab; this is the first bio class, and I don’t think the professor will be teaching today. Entering the class, I spot no familiar faces yet again. I approach a female in the fourth row who has an empty seat beside her. She looks at me and smiles.

“Is this seat taken?” I gesture over at the empty spot.

She shakes her head and motions for me to sit as she removes her purse from the chair.

Jake enters the class once I’m settled, and I resist my urge to roll my eyes. He looks around the room and smirks the moment our gazes meet.He and his smirks never cease to amuse.

He keeps his gaze locked on mine the entire time he walks toward me. I want to break eye contact, but it feels like my body is in a trance. I want to look away, but I just can’t. With his every step towards me, my heart beats fast. With one step left, he walks straight past and flops behind me.

I close my eyes and let out a breath. As if yesterday wasn’t enough, today was going to be a long day again. Seriously, though, I don’t get him. Why does he have to come and sit behind me?

Mrs. Rivera enters the class, wearing her casual outfit and as cheerful as ever. Her eyes scan the classroom, and she smiles when she spots me. She taught me biology last year too, and she is one of my favorite people at this school.

She starts talking about the subject, but all I can concentrate on right now is someone tapping their foot on the back of my chair. I turn sideways to glare at him, and to my surprise, he stops immediately. Okay, maybe he did it unintentionally. Turning my attention back to Mrs. Rivera, Jake starts tapping his foot again.

I ignored it. Once, twice, three times, and that’s it.

I turn around, annoyed, and give him my best glare, to which he smirks. If he did itunintentionallyearlier, he sure is doing itintentionally now.

He is just trying to get to you, Rose. Ignore him. Ignore.I repeat it in my head.

The tapping continues, but I focus my attention only on Mrs. Rivera. A few minutes later, he gives up, knowing well that he won’t get my reaction.

Mrs. Rivera stands in front of her desk with a paper in her hand. “Students will be divided into a group of two. That group will not change for the whole semester. Also, I will be the one deciding the groups, so stop dreaming about making a group with your friends.”

Knowing her, she will pair me up with someone who has low grades so that I can help them study. It was what we did last year.

She sits at her desk, scribbles something, and starts after a minute, “Attention everyone. I won’t be repeating myself, so listen carefully. As soon as I am done with the list, start switching seats immediately.”

She goes on with the pairs, and my ears perk up when I hear my name,“Rose and Jake.”

My smile drops and vanishes, and I’m sure the color of my face is gone too. As I just sit there flabbergasted, thinking about what just happened, someone taps on my shoulder, bringing me back to reality. I must have zoned out because I did not notice people getting up from their chairs and switching seats.

I turn half of my body to see him sitting casually. Obviously, why would it affect him if it gave him more access to annoy the hell out of me? Also, the way he was sitting was enough to tell me he wouldn’t trade seats.

I get up from my seat and go sit beside him. I stay quiet, making no move to start a conversation. I would be more than happy if I were to perform this lab alone for the whole semester. But no, God had to bless me with him. I groan and put my head on the desk.

“You know, any girl would kill to be in your position,” Jake comments.

I turn my head, still on the desk, to face him, muttering to myself. “I would kill myself to not be here.”

He chuckles, letting me know he heard me.

He leans forward on the desk, causing his shirt to stretch a little and revealing his well-developed muscles for the first time. He isn’t looking at me, so I take my time watching him.

The morning sun entering the classroom from the window behind me is making his face glow. I take a better look at his side profile: perfect jawline, full lips, straight nose, his dimple—it’s illegal to have a dimple—those green eyes—how I wish I had green eyes—and his imperfectly perfect hair. His left forearm has a little tiger tattoo, and another is coming out from under his arm.Jesus, Rose, get a grip on yourself.

While the rest of the class goes along with Mrs. Rivera telling us something, I keep looking outside the window.

Once the bell rings, signaling the end of the class, I groan again because I’ve got Math now, which means I have to seehimagain.

Pushing my way through the crowded hallway, I spot Kristy near her locker. Her back is facing me, and she is talking to someone. I near her to find Tyler beside her.

“Kristy,” I call her.

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