Page 13 of Rules

“Oh…” He looks at the clock on the wall. “Next class. Right. Let me just…”

But I don’t wait for him to finish. I don’t give him a chance to do the right thing, something a guy like Max would do. Not because it’s expected of him, but because he’s genuinely a good guy. Irritatingly so.

But I can’t rely on that.

Rely on him.

Because guys like him? They only serve as a reminder of what a girl like me can never have.

So I simply turn around and walk away.

* * *

“Where have you been all morning?” Lia asks as she slides into the desk behind mine.

I barely lift my gaze off the book I’ve been reading. “Around.”

“You never miss a class. Not even when you’re sick. Like the last time I had to drag you back home and put you in bed because you were burning up.”

Yup, that would be me.

But why would I skip classes? It’s not like I have anything better to do or anywhere to go. People hate going to school, they think it’s boring and useless, but I’d give anything just to stay a few minutes longer.

School is safe, or as safe as it can be in today’s world. But it’s also my escape. If I’m here I don’t have to bethere. And that’s the only thing that matters.

Sighing, I close the book and face my best friend. It’s not like I’ll get any reading done anyway.

I’ve known Amelia since elementary school, and although I tried to resist it, her kindness and big heart eventually won me over. She’s one of those pure, innocent people who doesn’t see the darkness and evil in the world. That’s one of the reasons why she was always such an easy target growing up, which resulted in her being bullied for years. I tried to protect her as much as I could, which granted, wasn’t much. But I did offer her something else—my friendship.

So for as long as I can remember, it’s been the two of us against the world.

That is, until now.

Lia tucks a strand of strawberry blond hair behind her ear. No matter how she tries to tame it, today it’s a side braid, it always seems like her hair has a mind of its own. Freckles adorn her ivory skin. Chocolate eyes surrounded by long dark lashes—the only make-up this girl ever uses is a swipe or two of mascara and some lip gloss—look at me expectantly, waiting for my explanation.

“If you must know, I was in the library.”

A small frown appears between her brows. “Doing what?”

“Studying. I was studying in the library.” I roll my eyes. “Gee, what’s with the twenty questions?”

“No reason.” She looks away, playing with the tip of her braid.

I stare at her, waiting.

If she has something to say, she better say it.

“Okay, you’ve been acting weird lately, and I just wanted to make sure you’re alright.”

“I’m fine, Lia. Really.”

“You’d tell me if something was wrong?” Those deer-like eyes zero in on me, waiting for my answer.

I swallow down hard. My tongue darts out to wet my dry lips.

That’s the thing about Lia. She’s so nice, she cares about people, and the people she loves? She’d do anything for them. But there are some things that are beyond imaginable. Things she wouldn’t understand. Things shecouldn’tunderstand because she’s too guarded.

And I wanted to keep her that way. I’m selfish, and I want her unaware so I can enjoy her light without having to worry about her knowing my darkness.

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