Page 95 of Withered

“N-No,” I stutter and am completely speechless.

“Now you know,” he replies in a low tone, planting a lingering kiss on my cheek before backing away.

He looks into my eyes, and I stare into those exquisite green orbs until Tyler and Kristy break the spell. Jake moves and stands beside me.

“Don’t you have a class to go to?” Tyler teases, smirking at Jake. Kristy wiggles her eyebrows at me.

“Don’t you two have a class to go to?” Jake retorts.

“We do. Didn’t you hear the bell just ring?” Kristy chimes in.

I look around and see people making their way inside the school.

I look up at Jake, who looks back. Were we so in the moment that we didn’t listen to the bell go off?

He shrugs, so I say, “Let’s go. I’ll see you at lunch.”

We part ways. Jake and I both go to math class. Professor Williams is at her desk, and the class goes silent when she notices us standing at the door.

“We are so sorry, professor,” I start before she starts warning us.

I’m sure I’m going to get a detention today. My palms begin to sweat out of nervousness and embarrassment.

Jake, who is leaning against the door with no guilt but a smirk on his face, takes notice of my state and grabs my hand.

“It was my fault,” he states.

I stare at him.Why would he take the blame on himself?

She shifts her gaze from me to Jake. “At least you’re earlier than the last time. Come on in. Take your seats.”

I sigh in relief. Jake tugs me towards our seat, and I don’t miss the apparent stare on our hands. I take my seat and shield myself from every pair of eyes with my hair.

The class goes by quickly as Jake and I race to see who can get the answers first. We get so loud to the point that the professor almost throws us out of the class but instead left a warning.Math is fun.

We split up outside of class, and I go to World History. Fortunately, our professor is not in class today, and the substitute teacher lets us go fifteen minutes ago. I come to a halt at my locker in the empty hallway and proceed to the library.

This school’s library is my favorite place. I spent most of my sophomore year here. If anyone has to find me, this would be the place.

I walk through the familiar doors into the silent room and head toward the science section. I go through the stack of books until I find the one I’ve been looking for.

My phone begins to vibrate in my pocket. I take it out and smile at the name.

“Hey,” I say.

“Hey yourself,” Jake says. “Where are you?”

“Library,” I tell him.

“I should’ve known.” He chuckles. He must think I’m a nerd now.

“Not a word, Henderson,” I warn him.

“I have been waiting for ten minutes now,” he speaks, and my eyes dart to the wall clock. Wow…I’ve been here for almost half an hour.

“I’ll meet you in the cafeteria,” I answer before hanging up, not waiting for his reply.

I gather my stuff and make my way to the cafeteria. I turn around the corner and bump into someone. I look up and see a furious Olivia glaring down at me. She is a few inches taller than me because of her heels.

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