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“It’s hard not to notice when you have to look at that face every day for 17 years.” My tone is sarcastic, but he ignores me.

“They are cute.” He gives me yet another shrug and a half smile. “So?”

Taking one deep, shaky breath I put backpack over both of my shoulders. “How good are you at driving this thing?”

“The best,” he replies with a big, goofy smile. “Hop on.”

I’m so going to regret this.

* * *

“So…” Nervously, I look from behind Max.

People started staring from the moment we entered school property. Not hallways. Parking lot.

It was like a scene from one of those chic-flicks I make Brook watch with me where everybody turns around and stares at the hot new guy or girl and then they turn around and start to gossip.

It’s insane and makes me jittery. No one ever pays attention to me, except when Derek and Andrew are around, then they do. Pay attention that is, watching from the side and smirking like they know something when in reality they know nothing. Some also enjoy getting in my way. Apparently, I’m too close to them, so their foot finds a way in front of my legs making me trip, or their shoulder pushes against mine as we walk by in the hallways. Like I said, I’m in their way.

Why were they even still in the hallways? The bell is about to ring any second now.

“Thanks for the ride, again.” I try smiling, but it feels forced even to myself. Max turns around and looks at me with his brows raised. “I guess I’ll see you around.”

I try to pass around him, but he catches my hand and makes me stop. “Not so fast. What do you have first period?”

“Homeroom, Mrs. Rayan.”

“Great, me too.” He gives me a wide smile, one filled with mischief. That guy is born up to no good. “You can pay me back for saving your ass this morning by showing me how to get there. My personal guide for the day. What do you say, Freckles?”

We look at each other. It feels like an eternity, but I know it’s a matter of seconds. Every time he calls me that my stomach begins tumbling and a sour taste erupts in my mouth. I lick my suddenly dry lips before answering. “Okay,” I agree. “But you have to stop calling me that.”

His smile falls. “Why would I do that?”

“I…” I bite into my lower lip, almost making it bleed and slowly shake my head. “Just don’t.”

Insightful, gray eyes look at me for a few long seconds before he finally nods his head, even if reluctantly, in agreement. “What do I call you then?”

“Lia. My friend calls me Lia.”

The bell starts ringing loudly, startling me. People around us break from whatever spell they were under and hurry to their own classes, although I see a few curious faces giving us a backward glance.

“This, Lia, is your clue to start leading the way.” He throws his hand around my shoulders tugging me into his side. He towers over me, and I can feel heat radiating off his body. Masculine scent surrounds me. I don’t know what it is exactly, but I want to burrow my nose in his neck and inhale him in. But I don’t because it would be extra creepy. “I didn’t break a few laws so that you end up late for class.”

A giggle escapes my lips. It’s soft, almost inaudible. I don’t know who is more surprised to hear it—me or Max.

“Come on. It’s this way.”

I walk, thinking he’ll move his hand off my shoulders and follow me, but he surprises me, as he did from the moment I met him. His hand stays firmly in place as he follows next to me, taking smaller steps to accommodate my pace.

I don’t know what to make out of him. One moment he is teasing me, like he enjoys mocking me and seeing me blush, but in other situations, he is really nice and considerate.

“We are here,” I say stopping in front of the closed door.

Mrs. Rayan’s voice is calling names from the other side of the door, a door that leads to a classroom full of students who will turn around and stare when I open them.

Max is standing behind me, his hand on the doorknob. “Come on. It’s nothing serious,” he assures me. His relaxed and composed voice calming my rapidly beating heart. “Everyone gets late every once in a while.”

He turns the knob and softly pushes me inside. Everyone turns around, looking at me, looking at us standing at the door.

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