Page 138 of Missed Notes (Rixon High 5)

“Your chariot awaits.” Ezra chuckled.

“See you at school,” I murmured, skipping down the driveway toward Cole’s car.

I didn’t give him time to get out and greet me, climbing inside.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” He frowned.

“Nothing. I’m just really glad to see you.” I leaned over to kiss his cheek, but Cole turned at the last second, and our mouths grazed.

“Mmm, good morning.”

“Hi,” I murmured.

“Hi.” He pushed my bangs out of my face. “Want to tell me what really happened?”

“It’s getting harder, lying to them,” I admitted, the truth twisting my insides into a pretzel.

Cole cupped my face. “So maybe it’s time to tell them.”

“Yeah.” I swallowed. “Maybe.”

I stared out of the window, trying to rein in the turbulent emotions warring inside of me.

Cole squeezed my hand, coaxing me back to him.

Grounding me.

“They would want to know, Sofe.”

I nodded. It was all I could do.

Because he was right.

I just wasn’t sure I was ready.

Maybe I never would be.

CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR

Cole

“Jude, wait up.”I cut across the hall to catch up with him.

“Kandon,” he said coolly.

“Listen, I was hoping we could talk.”

“I’m kind of busy. We have rehearsals and I—”

“I’m in,” I blurted out. “I mean, if you still need somebody to take Paul’s spot, I’m in.”

He ground to a halt and studied me. “You’re in. What changed?”

“A lot of things.”

“Your old man—”

“You don’t need to worry about my old man. I can handle him.”

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