's

lightly as she tapped my arm. It was hard not to. The things Leo had said to me in just one da

efore the day was over. This school was worse than my last one. I had bee

id to her?" Mia sighed in irritation, glancing over at Leo

osed to comfort Amy, not state the ob

Mia replied, her voice thick with s

. It's a shame they'

to hang out with them I just pray their disgusting personalities don't rub off on him." Lia's eyes darkened as she stared across at Leo and Marcus. They said

to me and I smiled. No wonder her anger

uctioning me o

peered at us, like she wa

aughed, shaking my head at

teased. Lia's cheeks flushed red. She tried to hold a straight

not," she

ripping with sarcasm, a mischi

Lia chuckled. That onl

Mia whined, smacking L

ld. The three of them had been best friends since childhood. Rio was the calm one, not nearly as reckless as Marcus and Leo. Mia and Li

my?" Lia asked, getting to

last thing on my mind. I was more worried about how cha

on, Amy. Don't let them get to you that's exactly what they want.

end," Mia added, placing he

had ever gotten from people my age were looks of contempt, like I was beneath them. Maybe with Lia and Mia, things weren't goin

keep the tears back. They didn't say a

h the moment, making Lia and Mia pull away. "The hoodie girl getting sympathy from the classy g

ith her in class flanked her on either side. Lia had told me their names were Arabelle an

Hadn't Michelle had her fill of mocking me in c

e laugh esca

lle asked, her voice syrupy sweet, eyes holding mine

ecause they feel sorry for you. Trust me, the moment that pity runs out, the

elle and Mirabelle

's girlfriend and give you a beating that not even plastic surgery could fix, wannabe queen," Lia snarled, stepping

peak for you," Michelle said, fix

ia said? Leave! With yo

d backwards. Michelle tried to hold her

a finger at us before turning and beckoning

at each other and

ook on their faces on repeat," Lia laughed,

for that," Mia teased, earning a scowl from

he wrong thing at the wrong time," Lia

rin. "If it takes us scaring off the Elles to get a sm

a agreed, be

" I laughed, s

and I didn't want them getti

smiled, raising bot

e'll be civil," Lia added, her tone carryi

, burgers and juice, Lia's suggesti

ad she gently closed my fingers around it and placed my hand back in my lap. She had already

lunch so you could pa

right," I sighed, ext

me buying lunch for my fri

said, letting

t new to me, someone wanting to do something

ad around you," Mia giggled proudl

we all laughed. For the first time in years it wasn't forced. I was a

you

elle was planting kisses all over his face but his gaze didn't move from mine not even for a s

napped her fingers

ia and Lia asked

away and turn

stroom," I said quick

" Lia asked, brows knitte

an sh

ords were barely out of my mouth

..

ace, and stared at my reflection. I looked lik

up permanent residence there. This guy was managing to torment me even from ac

r. I had just passed the restroom entrance and was abou

Gra

fr

crossed, watching me like he had been waiting. That w

had lined up. I chose to stay there was no dignified way to bolt when he was standing right in fro

ause I had nothing to say. Mostly because ev

detention because of you," he said,

led when Mrs Rodriguez gave it to him, why was he making i

is hazel eyes

ords slipped out before

maybe but it disappeared almost immediate

something?" H

ved to step past him and wa

aged me in, leaning close. My breath cau

lf, his hazel ones searching mine. A smile tugged

my wrist had

urting me

hot, but he didn't step back. For just a moment h

. He appeared and pulled Leo away from me, then turned to look at

nk-you. He saved y

blazed when they landed on me, then

h her?" she asked him,

sed her, slipped an arm around her waist, and the

aled

gently. "I'm s

y in my chest. I was so tired of people saying sorry for Leo'

moving a strand of hair out of

mediately caught myself mentally comparing his fea

as still o

this way. Getting close to Leo's friends no matter how