em?!" Maya scoffs and leans into her chair, still in

ter he is," I whisper, because Cassidy Jones just

ding team is to win Tyler's approval, she'

lass would be canceled. But everyone knows Mrs. Teague

AP English is one of the few

s she takes her seat in the back row. "Did your

the entire class e

nd. "Don't you have other things to worry about, Cass?" She tilts her head, pretending to think

I feel a wave of satisfaction when Cassidy's

lippant "whatever" before turning back to

houlder lightly agai

in turning into a frown. "S

stayed out of each other's way throughout. So, it can't be that bad, can it?" I as

k when a lanky, dark-haired

as Ben Schubert, looks around fran

ut he's also the newest addition to the football team. I don't doubt the possibility of him b

" Maya snaps, and

t, right?" Ben asks wi

narrowing her eyes.

ws, Maya. I've babysat for lots of families." I turn to Ben and smile in

ng longer shifts at the hospital, and she asked me to

some reason, maybe out of self-preservation, I don't want anyone to know

, his exit is delayed when a bunch of the guys on the footbal

says. "What are you doing talkin

"Nothing," he says as he sq

heir seats, but I could've sworn Alex s

hose icy-blue eyes. He says nothing as he strides forward, and I ho

oice cuts through the class, and

is desk and chair, but it's the blonde-haired b

Tyler, not moving an inch. "I don't remem

ty of them automatically on Tyler's side. This is how it alway

simply rolls his eyes, slumps on the empty c

ace takes on a diabolical expression, and his grin widens. "You know, I'm glad you

e you've wanted my spot, Holland?" He turns lazily to address the QB2. "It's nice

ee?" Jake may be on the football team, ergo the top of the food chain on the popularity

to think so," he says evenly, and I watch amusement fade from Tyler's eyes. "If he had as much faith in you as you do in you

made me a laughing stock in front of the entire school, but my stomach twists at the look on Tyler's

ruptly that his chair

" Alex

is shaking now, his hands curled into fists as h

ises to his feet, standing a few inches shorter than Tyler. "You

d have noticed. With bated breath, everyone watches as Tyler grabs Jake

rces the classroom, but no one moves an inch. "Tyler, Ja

grabs his bag, and stomps out the door. But not before he catch

's someone who hates Tyle