into the background as we walk in sync, his confident stride contrasting with my hesitant footsteps. Before parting ways, Eveleine offers with a cheerful smile that I

school bearable, who give you a reason to smile in the morning. But for me? That kind of bond is dangerous. It's not just my secrets I'm hiding. If Per

nd find a seat," Blake says, snapp

he class and casually plops down in one of the seats, gesturing for me to take the one besid

ake says, tossing the name in like it'

t to his head. But you'll like him. You'll like all of us. There's six of us in tot

smile, not trusting myself to say more. Then, trying to so

y, stumbling through the lie I've rehearsed a dozen times in my head. My fi

ons about where I'm from, what I like to do, who I was at my old school. I offer vague responses

e soft noise of chairs scraping and casual conversations. Blake g

ey're lat

enly calls out, waving to some

one I bumped into. His light brown eyes lock onto mine with recognition, and something lik

erlee, meet Asher," Blake int

r says, looking directly into m

her?" Wesley asks,

think she liked the look of me. She ran off without a single wo

es the word, and I

's all," I say quickly, shruggin

. Twenty whole minutes befor

in, giving me a reassuring smile. "He's jus

ass begins, and while I try to focus, the boys behind me chatter non-stop. Every now and then, Blake leans forwa

veryone starts heading

as we gather our things. "Me and Blak

y chest. I can't

e fine," I say, my voi

ks, looking a lit

gh," I murmur, turnin

ish," Asher say

lass so we can go to the cafeteria to

ow do you know that's my

ked at your schedule," he

t think I should join you guys. I appreciate all

harpens, like he's reading between the lines. His e

go through this alone. Trust me-my friends are the kindest peo

ng. But that's not my reality. Ge

n, to finally tell him wh

rc

way, scanning the corridor.

at's happening behind him. "Don't think too much. Ju

y moving in our direction

o-bye," I say quickly and da

r, on the other hand, watches me go, his eyes

n lunch break starts. We walk together toward the cafe

ake says, leaning against

cker door. "I'm a better listener. And b

e not wrong. Come on, let's go. But I need to warn you-E

eyebrow,

fight like it's their second language. One second, they're Romeo

a laugh

re I don't speak the language. Blake leads me to a table in the corner where the rest of h

an yelps as Eve smacks hi

have a guest," she s

nds her hand toward me with a bright smile. "Hey, I'm

u too," I reply,

the redhead grin

to Evan. Asher and Wesley haven't arrived yet, wh

. And maybe, just maybe, if my life wer

dly, "Blake, Evan! Come fast, Asher and Wesley are in an argument w

get up and follow the guy. I rush after them,