Page 75 of Before We're More Than Friends
“Raina.”
“Such a regal name.”
“She’s a princess, all right.”
“Is she that bad?”
“She’s not. Now that I know her better, at least.” I sighed. “But it makes my head hurt thinking about it.”And my terrible, stupid heart that I want to rip out my chest and chuck out a window.
“You have it bad, Dallas Alexander.” Toby let out a heavy sigh. “But you’re going to regret it if you don’t face the music.”
To nobody’s surprise, Wednesday afternoon rolled around, and I didn’t break the news to Raina. I walked into Chemistry with Hayden like usual, trying to keep my nerves at bay. Raina was already at our table, head down as she flipped through her textbook.
And gosh, why did she have to look so freaking gorgeous? The way her hair flowed reminded me of a princess.
This fairy tale didn’t have a happy ending.
“Afternoon,” I said, taking my backpack off and sliding next to her. “Getting a head start?”
“Hey. Just studying for the test next week.” She looked up and smiled.“Are you feeling better today?”
“Huh?” I asked, even though I knew what she was talking about.
“You already forgot about yesterday?”
I wish.“Look, I’m sorry all of that happened. I just have trouble with my anxiety sometimes.” I was digging myself into a deep hole, one I couldn’t get out of.
“I understand. I just wanted to make sure that you wereokay. You know, you always check on me, so I’m checking on you.”
I smiled, despite the knots in my stomach from her concern. “Thank you.”
Throughout the class, I was able to control my nerves, but a new feeling crashed over me instead—guilt. My stomach muscles stayed clenched, like I was trying to keep myself from throwing up all over our notes.
And Raina sat there, clueless to it all, focused on the lecture and trying not to bump her elbow into mine. Part of me wanted to take my jacket off and bump my elbow into hers just so I could feel the warmth of her skin.
You’re sick, I hissed at myself.You’re a sick person.
I needed to do something about this sooner rather than later before I drowned in the ditch I’d thrown myself in.
When I arrived at the shelter, my first task was to clean the dog kennel cages with Arielle, one of the largest and worst tasks. It seemed like the majority of my tasks at this shelter consisted of cleaning cages.
My life literally was becoming a pile of crap.
“You look thrilled,” Arielle said as I joined her in the dog kennel. Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail, and she already had dirt on her sneakers. Or at least what I hoped was dirt.
I put on my gloves. “Not the first task I want to do after school.”
“Please, I get put on cleaning-related jobs all the time while everyone else gets the fun jobs.” She adjusted her gloves. “I don’t think Mrs. Landers likes me.”
“Did you date Oliver too?”
She snorted. “I’m one of the few girls who hasn’t.” She opened the first cage. “I’m guessing you heard about his thing with Raina.”
Yeah, and it made me want to puke. “I’m not surprised. She’s pretty.” I fought against the heat that rushed to my cheeks. Why do I blush so easily?“I mean, you’re obviously pretty too.”
“Thank you.” She giggled, her eyes lighting up. Way less icy than Raina’s. “How are you adjusting here?”
“It’s been better than I expected.” I opened a cage to start cleaning. “But I still miss Dallas.”
