Page 29 of Becoming Cinderella

“We can, and we are.” My mom pushes herself off the chair and goes to the fridge to pull out eggs to make breakfast.

Oh, sure. Let’s control Carter’s life and then toast to it over scrambled eggs!

“Dad.” I look to him for help. “Please.”

“It’s for your own protection.” I see some remorse in his eyes, but I guess not enough that he’s willing to talk to my mom about it.

“My protection?” I stand up. “From what? Liam hasn’t done anything worth protecting me from!”

“We’re not discussing it any further,” he says.

I can’t believe this. I honestly can’t believe they’re doing this. I’m so angry my hands start shaking at my sides.

I hurry out of the kitchen and race up the stairs, slamming my bedroom door behind me.

There is no way I am going to stop seeing Liam. He needs my help, and I need his. I pull out my phone, thankful my parents didn’t take it away, and send him a quick text.

Carter: We need to talk

The next day at school you would think I was a celebrity. People I don’t even know keep coming up to talk to me, wanting to know what it’s like dating Liam. Or kissing him. Eventually I just start ignoring the questions, because nobody believes we’re just friends.

At lunch I see Jared in line and hurry over to him. I need him to know I’m not dating Liam.

“What’s up?” He asks after I’ve successfully pulled him away from his friends.

Doesn’t he know about the photo? I can’t imagine he hasn’t at least heard about it. Gossip in high school spreads like wildfire.

“I’m not dating Liam.”

This makes him smile. “Aren’t you? Penn was pretty adamant in Biology that you weren’t dating, but I’m not so sure. Nothing about that photo seemed staged.”

“No!” I say a little too loud and quickly. “No,” I try again at a more reasonable volume and speed. “We aren’t dating. We didn’t even kiss. I mean, I know it looks that way, but we didn’t.”

He looks at me skeptically. “Really?”

“Jared, I swear, we aren’t dating.”

He lets out a puff of air and leans up against the lockers. “I’m glad to hear that.”

I stand up straighter at this. “R-really?” I stutter. This is not what I was expecting him to say.

He folds his arms across his chest. “Really. I can’t help worrying about you. If you were dating Liam, I’d just, I don’t know, I’d worry you’d get hurt.”

I know he’s loyal, sometimes to a fault, but being on this receiving end of the protective side of Jared feels good. Almost perfect. It almost makes the photos being posted worth it.

A group of girls then walk by, watching us carefully and giggling. I catch bits of their whispered conversation. I try to ignore the sinking feeling that comes when I hear one girl ask why someone like Liam Taylor would ever want to kiss me.

“Okay, that hurt.” I say, looking back to Jared. Maybe if I just focus on Jared, the mean comments will bounce right off me.

He pushes himself off the lockers. “Want me to go talk to them? I’ll go talk to them.” He starts walking in the direction they went. I reach out and grab his hand, keeping him with me.

“No, I absolutely do not.” That would only make things worse.

He turns back to me and pulls me into a hug. One I happily accept. “Don’t listen to them. They’re just jealous.”

I rest my head against his chest, allowing myself to feel safe and secure. At least until the lunch bell rings and I’m forced to go face more unwanted comments and stares.

After school I walk out to my car where I see someone leaning against the hood. I slow down until I realize it’s Liam. He’s got his hat and sunglasses on to help conceal his identity.

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