no keys again, and then h

re," he said softl

y heart flutter even more for him. But at that mo

begin to walk toward

Go

right past me without even

u

that much of

way to the door. Just as he was about to exit, somethi

going to turn ar

ent down to retrieve them,

e locke

sh

s for

ter in person than on

ould hardly ca

dark, curly hair fell across his forehead

mpse, I could swear he was the

nt before quickly looking away,

t like that,

n my chest, takin

as so

didn't react to m

know I had been in the same

liev

scanned the hallway, hoping

nowhere t

t, still reeling from

recalled his soft voice: "Do you r

ld hear him

tairs to the office, where I found Dad

en looking everywhere for you," he

replied, turning to the principal, a frien

, glancing at the nameplate on his

hing. Just fill out this form, and you'll be on your way to

ils, nervously glancing at my phone,

r today. Welcome to Starlake High," he added with a

d, returning the handsh

reciate all your help," Dad said as they excha

pay attention in class, okay?" he reminded m

alcony, I stopped and

ything," I said with genuine happin

t?" he said gently, and I n

to class," he urged, and I w

y phone and followed the dir

big and beautiful it was, filled

High didn't offer scholarships, so there was

. Harrison, or I woul

feeling all eyes on me. Keeping my gaze lo

eve I'm actually

oenix 4 were in and if we wo

teacher entered, and

udents greeted her as she approached t

ents. How was your

rin

ic

ka

und the room, accompanied by

r face. "By the way, we have a new student joining us today. Miss

no.

o the front of the class, where I had the ch

o

ed to some exclusive club, rich,

" Mrs. Smith aske

ad slightly,

a Harrison," I

can take your seat," she said, and

, and after two subjects,

n pairs, and I got up, planni

here were just loud and self-absorb

ve, a fashionable girl entered

" she asked with a smile, and

um and exuded sty

sked me to show you around," she s

u

girl was going to

have to do that,"

igure it out

ll help my GPA," she insisted, her tone lig

nd relente

nd Carissa beamed at me before

emeanor but seemed

, the gym, the lab, the library, the

we entered the massive sports hall

ednesdays," she continued, and I

ts on Wednesdays too?" I asked,

ill. But honestly? They only show up once in a blue moo

at's to

em, don't you?" she teased, c

oenix 4," I shrugged,

nch together?" Carissa offered,

eed, and she smiled, lead

utifully designed, filled with stu

and she made her way to order our

Phoenix 4 in?" I a

e," she replied, and my e

at

t..

ttend classes," she cut in

I said, dis

time. Evan, Leo, and Caleb show up more frequently, but

y? Why

one who can actually get Zane to show up because he's strict and doesn't tole

d at the

n't wait for

edule, we'd have fur

m

Zane woul

the same school as the Phoenix 4," Car

id, hesitating as I th

k you a q

?" she replied,

ed my t

en Zane and Max?" I asked, eager for any