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Seriously?

Okay, she could’ve been avoiding the cafeteria, anyway. Like, an extra study session in the library before a dreaded pop quiz. But…

Ugh. I doubt it.

I feel it under my skin.

She’s avoiding her friends because of me.

As I walk into the cafeteria, I spy Parker and Lewis waiting in line for food. As I reach the boys’ regular lunch table, Kai and Tyler are taking their seats.

I hurry to the seat next to Kai and throw my arms around his neck.

“Hey, babe.” Kai runs a hand along my back. “Everything okay?”

My curls cascade around my face as I nuzzle into the nape of his neck. “I’m just glad to see you again.”

His arms hug around me. “Me too. It’s only a period since we had chemistry, and I was missing you already.”

I pull back, revealing my face. “Oh my gosh, my mom is gonna freak out when I tell her how much Mrs. Field praised our work today.”

Kai wiggles his eyebrows. “Only gives me more brownie-points with your parents.”

I peck his cheek. “You’re already doing great, babe.”

His arms unravel from me. “So, you kind of flew in here. But you said everything was okay?”

“Umm,” I begin. “Something weird happened.”

Kai watches me with concern. “What?”

“Camila said she’s leaving town.”

Euphoria crosses Kai’s face. “That’s incredible.”

“Don’t get your hopes up too fast,” I warn. “It could be a bluff to get me back in line.”

“You’re not falling for it, are you?”

“No way. I walked out on her.”

Kai grins with satisfaction.

“I mean, what did she expect?” I continue. “She told me after she knocked me on my butt. She’s such a cow.”

“That’s a compliment, compared to what she deserves to be called.”

“I don’t even care anymore.” I rest my elbow on the table and slide my cheek onto my palm. “I’m just in bliss that I get to spend everyday around you.”

Tyler groans. “You two need to get your own lunch table. Some people are trying to eat.”

Kai chucks a fry at him. “Shut up.”

Tyler chucks it back at him, making me squeak and flinch. “Maybe I forgave you for your poor form yesterday,” Tyler says to Kai. “I get that you’re head over heels for this girl, but I don’t need the full display.”

“Then you’d better look away,” Kai says, and then he kisses me much more deeply than a peck. He brushes the hair off the side of my face and whispers, “You’ve got me, Tabby. You and me, nothing’s pulling us apart.”

Kai pulls me into another hug, and I dig my chin into his shoulder. I’m so glad he can’t see my face, because I’m sure my expression will give me away. I check the entrance of the cafeteria, because maybe Jamie will change her mind and show up. As the other boys join our table, it’s so obvious she’s ditched everyone.