Page 42 of Wallflower

"Yes, obviously," I said.

"I didn't even know our school had an orchestra."

"They don't," I replied. "I get private lessons from a lady who comes in to work with me. It still counts as my fine arts credit."

Dare continued to stare at the instrument with concern. "That thing looks pretty heavy," he said.

I shrugged, feeling the movement jostle my backpack-style case. "You get used to it."

Before I could say more, he'd bent down, smoothly slipped the strap off my shoulder and scooped the case right out of my hands. I could do nothing but stare open-mouthed.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Carrying your cello," he said while adjusting it onto his own back. The "duh" was left unsaid but definitely implied.

"Dare, I do this every day. I don't need you to carry it for me."

"I know." Dare gave me a look. "But that was before you were my girlfriend—well, fake girlfriend. My girl doesn't lift heavy stuff when I'm around."

Two times in one sentence. He'd called me his girlfriend twice, and both times it made my chest tighten a bit. And why did it have to suddenly expand when he said "my girl" like that? Jeez, calm down, heart. Don't be so easily moved.

"Well…thanks, I guess. Come on," I said then led him to the band room. Luckily, we didn't pass many people on the way, so we didn't have to deal with the strange looks I knew Dare and I would receive if seen together—especially with him carting around my instrument. Which looked decidedly not-so-heavy strapped across his broad frame.

Dare was smiling, and I stopped outside the door, crossed my arms.

"What?" I demanded.

"Nothing," he said then laughed when he saw my face.

"Dare."

"Okay, okay," he said. "I can just tell you're impressed right now."

I forced a laugh. "Yeah, right," I said.

He shook his head. "Your face reads like an open book, flower."

Did it? I'd definitely have to work on that for Operation Revenge to be successful. Trying to make my expression blank, I frowned.

"Oh yeah, what am thinking now?" I asked.

As he took a step closer and reached out to touch the line between my brows, I stilled.

"I think," he paused. "You're trying really hard not to like me. But you just can't help it."

Gah, was I that transparent?

"Wow, you have a really high opinion of yourself," I said, trying to keep my voice level as he ran his pointer finger down my nose. For a second, I wondered what it would be like to do the same to him. Dare's nose was actually quite attractive despite being too long and a bit crooked. I believed they called it "aquiline" in the historical romances I liked to read. When Dare grinned and tweaked my nose at the end, I scowled for real. "If you're done messing with me, it's almost time for class."

Dare's face was alight with mischief.

"Oh, I've only just begun, flower. Your plan is crazy, but I agreed to help. Under duress, mind you. But if we're going to be kissing again, you'll have to get used to this."

He looked me in the eyes.

"Just don't fall for me."

My eyes widened. "Who said anything about more kissing?" I said. "I know I never did. And also, what the heck, Dare? Telling me not to fall for you?" A scoff. "Yeah, like that would ever happen."

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