Page 31 of Hidden

“Oi, Mr Hodges!” Luke barked, jumping to his feet. “A bit of lively dancing earns me a detention, but Dante here can perform his best Rocky moves and nothing is said?”

“I didn’t see that,” Mr Hodges replied, his nose in the air. “Now sit down and stop interrupting the silence. Have some respect!”

“Wow,” Luke breathed, flopping into his seat. “There’s some clear favouritism at this school. I see how it is.”

“Shutup,Master Luke. Final warning.”

Gabriella: How much R U shitting yourself being on final warning?I teased.

Luke: I’m inconsolable. I definitely need a titty hug.

Gabriella: WTF is a titty hug?

Luke: U know what it is. One of those where U hug the boys so tight your titties press against their chest. I need me one of those.

Gabriella: Ur not getting one of them from me. Maybe Diana might B open 2 it?

Luke: I can wait 4 U.

Gabriella: Ull B waiting a lifetime.

Luke: I never said I was in a rush.

I pocketed my phone, not quite knowing how to reply to that.

The assembly was dismissed not long after, and as always, the girls stayed behind whilst the boys left first. There had been a few incidents where the older classes had used the corridors for their personal make out sessions, and Mr Hodges had stomped his ogre feet and demanded separate leaving times.

The Descendants passed by us, with Laura hanging onto Dante’s arm, completely at ease with breaking the rules.

“Rider,” he nodded at me.

“Descendant. Quite the performance your friend put on there,” I said, looking back at Luke, who was still rambling about favouritism to an exasperated looking Mr Hodges.

“He’s an idiot,” Dante said, but he was smiling.

“You seemed to like some of the songs,” Laura said softly, her voice barely audible over the loudness of all the students.

“You could say the Descendants owe us one for saving Luke’s ass,” I said back.

“We owe you and your entire club a hole in the head, but let’s not let facts ruin a pleasant conversation,” Dante said, but therewas no malice in his tone, just the standard ribbing we’d come to expect from one another.

“Are my ears burning?” Luke grinned, coming over to us and barging between Laura and Dante, throwing his arm over both their shoulders. “Oh, look. It’s the little Rider. Enjoy the show?”

“It was delightful,” I muttered, rolling my eyes. “We mustn’t do this again sometime.”

“Indeed, we must not. Good morrow and sorrows,” he smirked, repeating what had become our catchphrase before walking away with his friends.

He turned around at the last second, his eyes catching mine, and he shot me a small wink, mouthing “later” and waving his phone at me.

I got the message loud and clear. I just had to spend the rest of the day ignoring the excited butterflies in my stomach.

Chapter 12

Gabriella

Now

Make sure they know what they’re doing, Gabby. If they fail me,you’vefailed me. You don’t want that again, do you?