Page 54 of Sweet Ruin

“You can have my dessert if you like?” Eric said, pushing his slice of chocolate cake over to me.

“Oh my gosh, I’m not stealing your dessert.”

“Please do,” he said with a soft laugh. “This might be my second slice, and it’s more than I can eat.”

Seeing me hesitate, Lily nudged the plate the rest of the way across the table so it was sitting right in front of me. “He’s not joking. He had a massive slice just before this, so you should take it,” she said.

I lifted me eyes to Eric and smiled. “Thanks.”

“It’s my pleasure.”

“So, what did you get detention for?” Amber asked as I took a bite of my food.

I swallowed before I answered. “Breaking curfew. I’m also grounded for the weekend too. It’s just lucky this didn’t happen next weekend because I’m supposed to be meeting my dad in New York then.”

“Lucky,” Lily agreed.

“Or unlucky to get caught in the first place.” Amber laughed. “I heard they’ve been cracking down since the pranks. I swear they never used to care much before.”

“Yeah, Lisa mentioned that when she caught me. I guess they’re keen to stop us from smuggling any more roosters into the dorms in the middle of the night.”

“Well, I for one am fully on board with leaving poor Barry in peace,” Eric said with a laugh. “I’m still catching up on sleep after that wakeup call.”

“You guys deserved it,” Amber said

“Totally.” I gave Eric a playful glare.

“Didn’t you get detention this week too, Eric?” Lily asked.

His gaze skirted away as he nodded. “Uh, yeah, but mine’s tomorrow.”

"You’ll have to say hi to Wes,” I said. “He’s in detention tomorrow for sneaking out with me.”

“Guess Saturday morning detention is for all the cool kids,” Eric joked.

“Are you saying I’m not cool?”

“Oh, I would never.” He laughed.

I poked my tongue out at him, making him smile.

“What did they get you for?” Amber asked him.

He turned to her, and his happy expression dropped.

“You weren’t sneaking out like Wes and Isobel, were you?” Amber added with a light laugh as she nudged her shoulder against his.

“Uh, no.” He rubbed the side of his neck and gave her a tight smile.

“Well, what was it then?” Amber asked. “I can’t picture you talking back to a teacher or submitting an assignment late.”

“No, nothing like that. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time,” he said with a nervous laugh. “Anyway, I better get moving. I’m supposed to be tutoring tonight.” He finished the last of his glass of water and picked up his empty plate and tray as he stood from the table.

“Thanks for the cake,” I said. “You’ve pretty much made my night.”

He smiled again before saying a hurried goodbye and walking away.

“What’s his rush?” Amber said

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