Page 187 of Shy Girls Can't Date Celebrities
A fire grows in my stomach, but I bite down, ignoring it best I can. I’m not about to blurt to one of the biggest gossips in school that a teen heartthrob is currently chilling in my living room. I have to lean into the satisfaction that he’s mine, and someone like Yvette will never have him.
The satisfaction wanes when people continue to fidget in their seats and send glances my way. The back of my neck coats in sweat. The thought of being Ashworth Academy headline news has me sick to my stomach.
When the lingering looks and harsh whispers continue throughout my next two classes, I pull my phone from my pocket and text under the desk.“I gotta get out of this school.”
My knees bounce and my fingers twitch around the phone. Seconds feel like hours until I get a response.
Kylie texts back.“What’s wrong?”
“Gossip queens want to know why there's a video of me and Wyatt together in Cherry Beach.”
“Vultures!”
“I just can’t deal with hiding my relationship with him while he’s literally in town.”
“Meet me by our lockers after class.”
I quickly send her a thumbs up emoji and sneak my phone back into my pocket.
“Are you okay?” Kylie asks, wide-eyed as we meet in the hallway.
I pant my breaths, leaning against my locker, and shake my head.
Kylie frowns. “They were giving you the second-degree?”
I frown harder. “Third-degree.”
“Wanna get out of here?”
“Yes, but there’s still two more classes after lunch.”
Kylie shrugs. “So? You’ve just had a huge week amongst Hollywood-types. You should be allowed an adjustment period.”
“There’s no way my parents will sign me out.”
“That’s why I texted Parker.” Kylie nods down the hallway, where her boyfriend approaches us. “He’ll drive us out of here.”
I give her a dubious look. “And what kind of adjustment period are you two going through?”
Parker reaches us and he pecks Kylie’s cheek as she responds with, “My best friend just had a week with Hollywood-types. It’s mental overload.”
The comment makes me puff a laugh. “And what about Parker?”
Kylie shrugs, throwing an arm around her boyfriend. “He has a car.”
Parker nods at me. “You wanna get out of here? Now’s the time to do it.”
I swallow the nausea. “What if we get caught?”
“We won’t if we take the south wing exit,” Parker replies.
Kylie motions for Parker to take the lead. “Shall we?”
I wince, looking between the two. “Can we not mention to Wyatt that I’m leaving because people were asking about my involvement with him? I don’t want him thinking I can’t handle it.”
Kylie frowns. “Are you sure?”
“I’d rather we just hang out and have some fun,” I reply. “I’ll tell him about school another time.”
