Page 101 of The Forever After Bet

“Kind of. It looks like they went on a cruise. But it was to the Bahamas not to Paris.” Leah shrugs.

“At least she’s not here.” I sigh. I tell Jack and Leah about the website.

“It was kind of fun to look at the pictures, for all of two seconds, but then people—mainly girls—started posting their own pictures, and it turned dark fast,” Leah says.

“Come on.” I hold my hand out for Hannah. “Let’s go dance. Plus, I need to keep an eye on my house and ensure it doesn’t get destroyed.”

When it’s almost midnight, I pass around streamers and noise makers for everyone. Ty and Cameron bought fireworks to light off from the end of the dock. Everyone screams and cheers when the clock hits midnight, but I pull Hannah close, kissing her with everything I have. “Happy New Year, Hannah Clark,” I whisper over her lips.

“Happy New Year, Ford.”

39. Student Workroom

When I come downstairs on Thursday morning, I’m light and happy. I no longer have the burden of my relationship with Ford being a secret. It’s a new year with new goals and opportunities. I’m excited about it.

“What are you so happy about?” Jack asks as he shoves a spoonful of cereal into his mouth.

“School, life, love, being me.” I hold my hands out and spin around.

“Calm down, Julie Andrews. This isn’t a musical,” Jack grumbles.

“Did you not get enough beauty sleep last night?”

“Funny, I was thinking the same thing about you.” Jack winks.

“Ouch, that was harsh.”

“I was kidding. You’re beautiful.”

There’s a knock at the front door, and Ford walks in, brushing snow off his shoulders. “It’s starting to really come down. We better get going.” He smiles at me.

“Do you think they’ll cancel the basketball game tonight?” I ask.

“I hope not. It’s going to be an awesome game. Coeur d’Alene is the only other team in the district that’s undefeated. I want this win.” Jack rubs his hands together.

“Me too. But if it keeps snowing like this, they’ll cancel the game. The forecast said it was a passing storm and should be sunny by this afternoon. Hopefully, they got it right,” Ford says.

“That’s good. I hate going up the mountain pass on the bus as it is. I’d really hate to do it with slick roads,” I say as I put my letterman jacket on.

“Let’s go already.” Jack holds his hands out.

I roll my eyes. “You’re supposed to break out into song now.”

“Yeah, that’s not happening,” Jack says, ushering us outside then shutting the door.

“I feel like I missed something.” Ford laughs.

“It irritated him when I came downstairs in a good mood,” I say.

“Jack’s grumpy. We have to go back to school. He ready for summer.” Ford pats him on the back as he walks over to the Venue.

“I don’t like the snow,” Jack grumbles. He opens the driver-side door, turns on the car, and then grabs a snow brush to clean off the car.

Ford helps me into his car. “I’m going to help Jack.”

“Okay.” He left his car running, so it’s toasty and warm inside. I switch the Bluetooth to my phone and click on my Taylor Swift playlist. When he gets in the car, his forehead scrunches, and he changes the song.

“I was gone five minutes.” He huffs, backing out of the driveway.

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