“Fine.” Kai sighs. “Go be part of the brainwashed masses and spew out the dribble these teachers expect us to learn.”
“Thanks,” I say through gritted teeth as I back away from the table. The other boys stare at me with dumbfounded faces.
Tabitha looks over Kai’s shoulder while fondling his cropped hair. There’s a vindictiveness as she smiles at me. As if she beat me for Kai’s attention. Oh my gosh, does she think I’m her competition?Eww. What is with all these people thinking there’s something going on between me and Kai purely because we’re different genders? They’re sick!
I back out of the cafeteria with little protest from my friends. Maybe they’re too stunned for words.
I rarely walk the halls between classes. I don’t have anything to do at my locker besides dumping my stuff until the next bell rings. So, I didn’t realize how empty the halls get when it's not directly before or after a class.
It’s a trek to Mr. Birch's classroom. He teaches all the super smart kids, so I've never entered this room before. The classroom door is closed, and I feel weird about opening it. So, I knock when turning the handle and pushing it slightly ajar.
“Yeah?” Milo says from inside.
“Oh, it’s just me,” I say, pushing the door further open and stepping into the room.
“Hey, I was surprised to get your text.”
I’m about to reply, but I freeze instead. Milo isn’t alone.
He’s with none other than the Ashworth family heir. As in the family this school is named after.
Thomas Ashworth III. Or Ash, as everyone calls him.
He’s the only boy who’s ever made me clam up. I mean, his dad is a billionaire. It’s crazy that we live in a world where he and I can attend the same school.
Well, I guess his family basically pays for my education. Except they don’t want to if I don’t pay attention in class. They have so much money they should just pay for it, anyway. They should pay for everyone’s education. It would be a level playing field. Let everyone go to this school.
Although, maybe they could kick out the mean girls. That would be nice.
Milo gestures to Ash. “We were just working on something for physics. But I have a few minutes to look at whatever you need.”
“Actually, Milo,” Ash says, “I’ll be going soon. My girlfriend texted, and she’s heading over soon.”
I've had nothing to do with Ash’s girlfriend. I assume, to be this guy’s girlfriend, she’d have to be ultra posh. Translation: stuck up. Isn’t that the only kind of girl he’d be with?
“In that case,” Milo says to me, “do you mind hanging around for a bit while Ash and I finish this stuff?”
“Oh yeah,” I say, swatting a hand. “My stuff isn’t that important. I was just freaked out about another teacher getting on my case. But I’m less worried now.”
Milo smiles. “You’ll be fine.”
There’s a sparkle in his eyes, and his smile makes my tummy flutter. I swear I’ve heard women say that line in a dozen rom-coms. But why the heck is Milo giving me these feels?
“Are you having issues with your teachers?” Ash asks me. “Which ones?”
I gulp. I’ve heard stories of him and his sister getting teachers fired over the silliest of excuses.
“Oh, it’s not like that. They’re not picking on me. Well, they are, but it’s because I’m losing my scholarship.”
Ash’s brow lifts. “Oh, you’re a scholarship kid?”
He didn’t know that?
Yeah, why would he? He wouldn’t keep tabs on who has scholarships. He’s barely in classes, so I don’t think he cares about what goes on in this school.
Speaking of which…
“So you’re into this physics stuff?” I ask Ash. “I didn’t peg you as studious.”
