Page 47 of Driftwood Daffodil

I just sucked at expressing myself.

“Are you sure,” Atlee asked. “Because I know sometimes people don’t know they’re having one.”

Oh, my god.“I am not having a seizure!”

The entire class quieted and turned to look at me, causing a trail of mortification to burn its way down my neck.

Bravo, Nova, Bravo.

“Awe, look, she’s blushing.” Atlee sang in the most condescending tone I’d ever heard. “Are you gonna cry next?”

“No,” I sneered back. “I did that last night.”

What else was one supposed to do when listening toTotal Eclipse Of The Heart.

“Wish I’d seen that.” Gio muttered.

Atlee’s snide comments I could handle. Gio’s bothered me. I don’t know why, but I wanted to jump up and smack him every time he opened his mouth, while simultaneously hiding from that glint in his eye.

It was a very confusing feeling.

Thankfully the bell rang and the teacher came in, so I could concentrate on something else. Or so I thought.

Ever try to pay attention to calculus while someone was silently murdering you? It’s not an easy task to accomplish. Every scratch on the chalkboard or word spoken were muffled. Seconds ticked by like hours, and I swore I could hear Gio breathing.

He wanted a reaction, I knew that. Just like I knew I couldn’t give him one. But, eventually I broke and softly snarled, “Do you mind?”

“Yes, I do,” He shot back. “Get the fuck out of my school.”

“It’s not your school.” He didn’t own St. Agatha’s.

He leaned over and whispered, “I’m going to make your life a living hell.”

Oh, that was it.

“First off, my life is already a living hell, so good luck with that, and secondly… I hate you.”

Take that.

Gio snorted and shook his head, “You don’t know what hate means.”

“Are you always this arrogant?”

I must’ve said that a little too loud because the teacher was no longer talking to the entire class.

“Are we interrupting you Miss. Ford?”

He knew my name on day two, that was impressive.

“Sorry sir, I was just telling Gio how inappropriate it was to talk about edible underwear during class."

Gio’s eyes locked on mine as the teacher called out, “I believe you know where the office is Mr. Mancini?”

Check asshole.

He didn’t say a word, just glared at me and packed up his books. I couldn’t help but smile as he stood up and paused to look down at me.

“You’re fucking dead.”

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