Page 1 of Regaining Integrity

Prologue

Angelica

Shuffling and a soft snore somewhere behind me accompany the squeak of the dry-erase marker on the board. “That’s how you find X. Does anyone have any questions?” I don’t look up as Mrs. Wagstand finishes explaining tonight’s homework to the rest of the class while I already have it complete. Sophomore class math wasn’t enough to keep me focused, so I was put in a higher level, which still isn’t much of a challenge. I already understand and get this and am thankful she just lets me get to work. And junior year math has turned out the same way.

My goal is to get started on college-level courses next year.

“No one?” I don’t need to look up and see all the starry-eyed students staring at the whiteboard or their notes in confusion. They would get this simple math if they paid as much attention to their schoolwork as they did to whatever gossip was going around.

“All right then.” She walks past me, patting me on the shoulder affectionately because she never worries about me. “If you have any questions, be sure to ask Mr. Thorne here.” I know she’s standing over the desk directly behind me and glaring down at the boy who’s been fast asleep through most of the class. “Isn’t that right, Mr. Thorne?”

The only response is the snore I’ve done my best to ignore while I’ve focused on my notebook.

If it were still legal to hit a student, Mrs. Wagstand would have struck Chase Thorne a long time ago. The senior transferred into our class a week into the school year. It’s no secret in our small-town high school that his math was and still remains to be weak no matter what she does to help him. I’m sure he would have given up by now if it wasn’t for the fact he needs this last credit to graduate.

I’ve even been asked to help by explaining things to him, but he gets a glazed-over expression on his stupidly handsome face. Then he smiles and shrugs as if his chiseled looks will help get him out of doing any work. There’s no point in trying to teach him when he clearly doesn’t care.

It also didn’t help whenever I’ve attempted to talk to him, I do nothing but stutter with nerves. Because against every ounce of intelligence I possess, I have a huge crush on the big dummy. Despite him being a complete player and having been with most of the girls in our school—that isn’t a whole lot—it’s still enough to keep me away. I’m not his type anyway. I’m much too nerdy for him.

There’s also the fact he isn’t the most behaved person in Centennial, Montana. He lives by his own set of rules, flashes his smile to get what he wants, and floats through life having a good time with his friends, who are all as ridiculously handsome as he is.

I don’t like myself very much for this stupid crush and do my best to beat it down, but there he is, returning to my dreams where I have no control.

Snickers break out around us as Mrs. Wagstand continues to stand over Chase’s slumbering body, which is likely draped over his desk he makes look small. From the way I’m sitting, I can see one of my classmates do something our teacher can’t. He not so nicely slaps his pencil down on Chase’s brow, jolting him upright in an instant with fists at the ready.

“Where’s the fire?” he shouts, bringing about a fit of laughter, snorts, giggles, and likely a single eye roll. That’s from me.

“You better get to work on the sheet before class is over, Mr. Thorne,” Mrs. Wagstand grumbles before walking away, back to her desk. “I would hope you would feel a little more motivated to graduate this spring with your friends. Instead, you fall asleep in my class as if you wish to remain here for another year … with me.”

It’s no secret she has been stuck with him since his sophomore year. While all his friends are in other math classes at different times of the day or even being done, he’s here. Chase and his band are the country boy heartthrobs of the school, along with their crazy ringleader, Patience LaClare. She’s the envy of every girl here because her word is mostly law with the five of them, but she’s no good when it comes to getting Chase to focus on his studies.

I’m not jealous of her, though. Nope, I do my best not to let it get to me. I’m quiet and shy, and keep to myself so there’s no way a guy like Chase Thorne would ever see me aside from the person who sits in front of him in just one class.

With a shake of my head, I turn my full attention back to my homework, making sure I finish to free up my evening to read while ignoring everyone around me. It only takes me a few more minutes to check everything before I close my notebook. Then I pull out my planner to check off math homework for the night.

“I’m going to step out for a moment,” Mrs. Wagstand announces before walking out the door, the heaviness of it sealing it behind her. The moment they hear it shut, everything changes; the silence is replaced with endless, headache-inducing chatter, the near mute noise of a few typing out messages on their phones accompanying the visiting.

I don’t understand any of this. There are still fifteen minutes left in class, plenty of time for them all to get their homework done or at least mostly so they can have more free time and less panic later. Instead, they decide to put it off. Something I was told not to do.

Reaching down into my messenger bag, I pull out my history textbook to study for a quiz I have this afternoon. I’m nearly lost in the words of the past when I’m poked in the side.

“Are you done already?” My entire body startles to a pause. My heart rate accelerates as if it’s going to burst from my chest.

Get a grip.

Grabbing my long brown hair, I pull it over the opposite shoulder so I can look back at him. Mirthful brown eyes meet my gaze.

“Yes,” I drawl, “I am.” Glancing down, I see he hasn’t even pulled out a pencil. “You better get started.”

He stops me as I start to turn back to my textbook, forcing me to return my eyes to his. I see them brighten, but I’m not as stupid as some girls who fall all over him. I see the undertone of the teasing he’s so notorious for.

“Want to help me out since you’re done then? I could always use the help of a pretty girl.”

He’s making fun of me.

“I think you need to figure this out on your own. When you finally graduate, you won’t be so lucky to have people around you willing to help you with just your smiling face as a reward.” Taking a deep breath, I turn back around and try to go back to my history studies. As much as I like the little attention he gives me, it makes me crave more, so I’m resolute not to let him get to me.

“Oh, come on. You’re smart. I’m sure you could help me out this once.” He continues to poke my side, acting as if I’ve never helped him at any point this year.

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