The smile on Ash lips slides to the left in that effortlessly charismatic way. “I like things that make me think hard,” he admits. “Otherwise, I get bored.”
“Ah-huh,” I say, not getting it at all.
“Hi, I’m here,” a sweet voice calls.
Iturn to the door as footsteps clip-clip into the classroom.
She takes my breath away. Her blonde ponytail swishes behind her head in time with the bounce in her step. I know she’s Ash’s girlfriend, because everyone at school is aware of that. Besides her relationship, I know zip about her.
As her eyes dart from me to Milo, and then land on Ash, she clasps her hands in front, her shoulders bunch high, and a pinkish hue graces her cheeks. It’s as if she’s nervous. Get real. She’s probably attempting to appear humble in front of us mere mortals.
“Oh, am I interrupting?” she asks, pulling a blonde curl behind her ear.
“No, you’re good,” Ash says, stepping forward and curving an arm around her back.
He kisses her cheek and there may as well be love hearts in her eyes. There’s your rom-com moment.
“Can you just give me a minute to finish up with Milo?” he asks her.
She nods as his arm falls off her. “Yeah, sure.”
Ash motions at me. “Jamie’s also hanging out until we’re done.”
She sucks in a breath and strains to smile at me. As Ash walks back over to the desk with Milo, she awkwardly waves.
“Hi,” she mumbles.
Geez, girl, don’t do me any favors by talking to me.
“Sorry, I know I’ve been at this school for a while now, but I don’t recognize you from any classes.”
I clear my throat and mutter, “Ahh, no, we…” Cue awkwardly dry cough. “I don’t think… uh… umm, never mind.”
“I’m Christie,” she says. “Christie Klein.”
I don’t even want to talk to her, but I’m tongue-tied, regardless. I couldn’t care less about what another rich kid thinks about me. But still, I stammer. “Jay… Jamie.”
Christie smiles. “Do you go by Jay?”
Someone just hit me over the head, so I have an excuse to end this conversation. My face sizzles with embarrassment as I shake my head.
“Oh, okay,” she says, maintaining the same happy smile. “Just Jamie then.”
My eyes flick toward the boys. Milo is staring at me with a mixture of concern and confusion.
I swallow hard, hoping to get some moisture into my dry mouth. “It’s Jamie West. If you’re interested.”
“It’s nice to meet you.”
“Sorry, it’s a big school. I always find it hard to remember the name of the new kids.” I side-eye Ash. “Despite whom they’re dating.”
Christie giggles. “Don’t worry. I’m no one special.”
I don’t want to talk to this girl. Look at this fairytale she has with a billionaire’s son. I really don’t need to feel jealous of yet another couple.
Christie looks at me, turns to Milo, and then back at me. “So, Milo’s your boyfriend?”
A laugh sputters out of me before I can control my reaction. I hold my belly, trying to mute the sound, but I’ve already attracted glances from the boys.
