Page 117 of Sweetheart

"Is Aurora still going with you?"

"Yes, I am," Aurora said then added hopefully, "although, if you want to call it off, Scarlett, I won't mind."

I shook my head.

"Is Sam coming?" Freya asked with a smile.

"No, definitely not," I said.

"Too bad. Would've been nice to see him shirtless."

I sniffed, trying not to picture Sam shirtlessand failing. Miserably. Even in my imagination, he was beautiful. "Like I said, that's not happening."

Viola's brows went up. "Ror, are you skinny-dipping too?"

"That would be a big no." Aurora laughed. "I'm way too self-conscious."

"I will be the only person getting naked," I confirmed. "But I was wondering,what does one wear to skinny dip? Thoughts?"

Freya lifted her hand. "As long as you remember your birthday suit, you'll be fine," she said.

The joke was silly, but I laughed anyway, enjoying my time with my friends who also just happened to be family. Sometimes, all you needed was a little laughter to brighten the dark, uncertaintimes. I carried that warmth with me to school the following morning, stopping outside of Sam'sfirst period after the bell rangin hopes of speaking with him. Butas the last student left, he still hadn't come out.

Did he stay home today?

Peeking inside, I spotted Sam and smiled.

There he was, sitting at his desk with his head down, mouth partially open,one cheek pressed against the desktop.If this was a cartoon, little Z's would've been floating above himbecause the guy was out cold. I didn't know how he could sleep like that. It looked very uncomfortable. But as I walked closer, not stopping until I was even with his chair, Sam didn't move a muscle.

"Hey, Bishop," I said softly.

He didn't stir.

"Bishop?" I tried again.

Still no answer.

Bending my knees, so I was level with his ear, I whispered, "Class is over. It's time to wake up."

Sam mumbled something intelligible, scrunching his brows in the most adorable way.

"You know, I shouldn't find this so endearing," I said.

I brushed back a stray lock of hair that fell across his forehead.

"But you're so cute like this."

"Cute enough to kiss?"

Gasping, I leaned back as his eyes slowly opened.

"Hey,Kent," he said with a soft smile. "Thought that was you."

"Yeah, I came to find you," I said then frowned. "You shouldn't be sleeping in class."

"But I'm so cute when I do."

I barely stopped myself from smiling; he really was cute—and annoying. Parking myhands on my hips, I said, "This is junior year all over again.Why are you always so tired?Don't you know math is something you'll use in every facet of life? It's important."

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