Page 102 of The Forever After Bet

“Taylor Swift is good for the soul.” I laugh, turning the volume up.

“If you want your soul to whither and die.”

“I can’t hear you.” I turn the volume up again.

When we get to the school, my anxiety spikes. Ford parks in his usual spot. Ty and June are waiting for us in Ty’s jeep. Ford reaches over, taking my hand. “Are you ready for this?”

I take a deep breath and nod. “I’m ready. Bring on the day.”

“That’s my girl.” He leans over, kissing me. “It’s going to be a fantastic day.”

Ford comes around, opening my door. I undo my seatbelt, and Ford helps me out of the car. He grabs my backpack from the backseat and then takes my hand. “It’s going to be a good day and an exceptional year.”

“Yes, it is.” I smile.

“Hannah!” June exclaims, running up to me.

“June, Hi. How was California?” I ask her.

“Sunny and warm. I had a good time, but I’m glad to be back,” she says, wrapping her arm around mine while we walk.

“It’s good to have you back.” I squeeze her hand.

“Ty said you and Ford are coming out of the closet.”

We both laugh at her joke.

“Yep. No more secrecy. Our parents know, now it’s time everyone else knows.” I shrug.

“I’m glad.” June squeezes my arm, and then lets go to take Ty’s hand.

The other students notice Ford and me holding hands, but no one stares or whispers. It’s nice. Today is the start of the rest of our senior year, and I’m going to make the most of it. I put books away in my locker. Ford shuts his locker and then grabs me, spinning me around and pushing me against it. He leans down, running his nose along my neck, kissing me lightly, and I shiver at the feeling.

“Just the response I was hoping for.”

I slap his shoulder. “Stop it, we’re at school.” But I’m smiling, and there’s no heat behind my words.

“Let’s hang out in the janitor’s closet at lunch,” Ford whispers, kissing the shell of my ear.

“Maybe we can borrow the key to the student workroom.” I laugh, remembering our make-out session there.

“Either works,” Ford says, kissing along my jaw.

“We’ll figure it out later. Come on, we better get to class.”

Ford picks up my backpack and takes my hand. When we walk into English, kids stare, but nobody says anything to us, which is a good sign—I think.

The day passes in a happy daze.

“Hey,” Landon nods, approaching the table before chemistry. “How was your break?” he asks.

“It was great. How was yours?”

“Good. I got early acceptance to the University of Washington.” He beams.

“Landon, that’s awesome. I didn’t know that’s where you wanted to go.” I smile.

“Yeah, it’s my parents’ alma mater. I have a lot of family there. It’s always been my first choice.”

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