en. Gasping, I stumble back as if burned by

ame time, my arch-enemy's scow

s tripped in the school cafeteria by its owner. Yet, instead of c

econd. Tyler Brooks raises an eyebrow. "I didn't realize you've added stalking

but I curl my fingers tighter around the str

s boy reduce you to a stamm

pleasure in my embarrassment. "

oosen their hold on the str

I can remember, Tyler has called me "nerd," "nerdy bookworm

thing. But his smooth, tanned skin has never been clearer. My eyes then wander

of my errant thoughts. "

bysit Sophie and Lucas," I try again, thankfully more coher

Chopped liver?"

e my head. "I don't understand.

bout Tyler Brooks the minute he and his clique decided I was their new

rything about me

atterbox, she couldn't have mentioned that the fa

hisper more to myself,

around and

ands into fists. One punch on hi

ready paid in full before leaving for their trip. If only I didn't need to save every penny for c

s forward. "Excuse me," I murmur o

he doorway, leaving the tiny space b

he patience I can muster. "I need

inch. "Aren't you like ninety

ve of t

fifteen pounds," I snap, my voi

he just stares at

d. Then, I take one final step and slide in through that tiny space, all

r, Tyler turns and places one large arm against the do

hat are you doing?" I manage, even t

e draws in a harsh breath, and for a split second, that confident,

angerously close to my ear. "This is the point of no return, Garcia," he whi

. "Push him, punch him, anything, Lila," a voice inside m

d girl of about six comes barreling towards us,

ay from me, and just like

rl announces, waving a paper with a b

ines around his eyes somehow soften, giving way to an ung

t makes her look eerily similar to Tyler. "Are you our bab

rection, the smile gone as quickly as it appeared. "These ne

m so s