Rex Radford this and Rex Radford that from her best friend Judith. Morning, afterno

assment. She didn't stop until they'd rounded two hallways and ducked into the old music practice room, now empty and dark. Once alone, Ann let go of Judith's hand. "Okay, what the hell was that? Everyone was looking at me like I set the building on fire! Did Avirina or one of her barbie minions do something to me when I wasn't paying attention? Did I trip some social landmine or-?" Judith clapped a hand over her mouth, trying-and failing-to stop giggling. Ann narrowed her eyes. "Are you laughing? I just humiliated myself in front of half the school and you're-?" Judith lost it. She cackled like a hyena, holding her stomach. "Ann... I swear... the way you said it!" She mimicked in a dramatic tone, "'I'm losing my brain cells, Jud, and I don't want to go brain dead!'" She wiped a tear from her eye. Ann just stared. Judith tried to catch her breath. "And the entire cafeteria heard you! You shouted it without realizing. And the best part? Rex Radford was sitting two tables away." Ann froze. "You're kidding." "I wish I was." Judith leaned against the wall, giggling again. "But the look on Avirina and her posse's faces? Priceless. They looked like someone just told them their Louis Vuitton was fake." Ann groaned. "Judith. Why does this kind of chaos always find me?" Judith shrugged. "Honestly? I think this year's going to be hell for you. But highly entertaining for me." Ann rolled her eyes. "Great." A shadow moved in the corner of her eye. She turned-just in time to feel a light tap on her shoulder. She slowly turned. And there he was. Rex Radford. Standing right in front of her. Up close, he was worse than she'd imagined-tall, immaculate, with a dangerous kind of handsomeness that made you forget your own name. His uniform looked like it had been tailored in Milan. His smile was calm, confident-predatory. Ann blinked. Boy, who goes around smiling like that? I almost got blinded. He extended a hand for a shake. "Hi," he said smoothly. "I'm Rex.