Page 79 of We Shouldn't Be Together
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Fortheseconddayin a row, chemistry was so awkward. I was as rigid as a statue. I didn’t want her to catch me looking at her. Every time she attempted to make conversation, my replies grew thick in my throat. I forced myself not to make the first move. I didn’t want her to suspect I liked her.
Because I don’t.
I can’t.
It’s just weird around her, that’s all.
I don’t know what to do with these feelings.
After she sent those messages about me being prideful and arrogant, I wanted to be done. I was so certain nothing could make me text her back. But then her trademark double message came through.
Tabitha Jones was sorry.
She sent those two little words, and I was okay.
“Huh?” I jolt in my seat in the cafeteria when Jamie’s fingers snap in front of my face.
“Earth to Kai,” she chuckles. “Where were you?”
I wave her off. “Just thinking about how the Ashworths are linked to the Illuminati.”
Tyler groans from across the table. “You’re not on that again, are you?”
I throw my palms up. “Explain to me how it doesn’t make sense.”
“I thought you wanted to get in with the Ashworths,” Tyler says, squinting.
“Yeah, so?”
Jamie scoffs. “Why do you wanna hang with those rich snobs?”
“Those rich snobs pay for you to go to this school,” I counter. “Or does the scholarship mean zip to you?”
Triggered by my button pushing, Jamie sucks in a breath, pulls back a fist, and launches it at my arm.
“Oh, crap!” I yell as the pain fireballs underneath my stitches.
Jamie gasps, shooting her hands over her nose and mouth.
It feels bad. It feels lose-your-car kind of bad. I pull off my blazer, gritting my teeth and wincing as the sting grows beyond my stitches.
“Oh, dude,” Tyler murmurs, staring at my shirt sleeve. “You’re bleeding.”
My jaw clenches harder. “Dammit.”
“Crap, Kai,” Jamie whispers roughly. “I’m so, so sorry. I forgot about your stitches.”
“It’s okay,” I breathe. My forehead creases as I will the pain to dissipate. “Dang. Do you think a stitch broke?”
Tyler shrugs. “Dude, go to the nurse.”
I huff. “I don’t want to see the nurse.”
“It’s better than your parents finding out,” Jamie insists. “I’ll go with you. Maybe she can fix it and no one will need to know.”
I let myself smile as I cup the pulsating area. “Anything to save your own butt, huh, James?”
