Page 63 of Isabella and the Slipper

So that’s it? Dang, you should have done that a long time ago.

I guess so.

When no more texts came, he glanced at her. She was talking to her friend, her fork in her hand. He slipped his phone back in his pocket and tried to concentrate on eating his lunch. But it was difficult. His gaze kept sliding over to Isabella. He watched her laughing with her friend and wondered what they were talking about. Then a guy stopped by their table and spoke to her.

He didn’t stay there for long, only a short conversation, but Chase grew insanely curious as to who he was. Then he remembered Five talking about a guy at school who had spoken to her. A guy she liked. Was that him? His gaze trailed after him as he deposited his lunch tray and exited the room.

He had short hair and wore khaki pants and a button-down shirt. He even wore glasses. Maybe Isabella liked him because he was smart, which suddenly annoyed Chase. He was smart, too.

“What are you doing?”

Chase looked at the girl by his side. Belinda. “What?”

Belinda pointed to his sandwich. He was clutching it so tight the bread held finger impressions and the meat and cheese were falling out.

“Nothing,” he said, setting the ruined sandwich down. He wasn’t hungry anymore, anyway.

“What did that guy do to you?” Belinda stared after him as well.

Chase wiped his hand on his napkin. “He didn’t do anything.” He picked up his tray, slid his sandwich in the trash, and tossed it on the stack. He didn’t feel so much like celebrating his victory from this morning anymore.

He walked into his American history class and sat in his seat. The teacher wasn’t in there yet, so he pulled out his phone and messaged Five again.

Just curious. Have you been talking to that guy you like?

Aren’t you in class??

The teacher isn’t here yet.

Well, mine is! You’re going to get me in trouble.

The bell rang, and his teacher walked in. With gray hair and thick glasses, he figured he probably wouldn’t notice if Chase kept his phone in his lap.

You didn’t answer my question.

Yes, he’s been talking to me. Happy?

Not really. How much do you like him?

Honestly? A lot.

A gut punch. That’s what it felt like. Now that he knew who Five was, and had more than just a small crush on her, he couldn’t stand the thought of her liking another guy. Who was he, anyway?

Forget him. Date me instead.

Why? Are you jealous?

He had nothing to lose by being honest with her.Yes!!

This situation is hysterical.

What did she mean by that?

He glanced up at his teacher, but he was writing on the chalkboard and wasn’t paying attention.

It’s not funny to me.He sent her a pouty-face emoji.

The teacher is glaring at me. Gotta go.

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