Page 18 of Rumor Has It

“I don’t remember you mentioning a date.” I glare.

His mouth widens. “I think I just did mention it, or are you two dating?”

“We’re friends, but why is it anyone’s business?” My gut twists.

“Friends with benefits?” He laughs.

“I’m done!” I brush past him, stomping up the steps. “Leave me alone, and stay away from us.”

“You really want to know what I want?” He yells as I continue up the stairs, with him fast on my heels. “Ask Marla who she’s going to the prom with, and then come find me.”

“Not happening!”

He grabs my hand, holding it in place. “Please, I’ll be waiting by the bleachers.”

Jerking my hand free, I take the stairs two at a time. I run down the hall and through the doors on the other end of the school. Rushing to the office for my excuse so I can get to class.

I hurry out after getting my tardy slip, more than ready to get to class and Boone, only to come face to face with my mortal nemesis, Marla. I do my best to brush past her, but fate doesn’t allow it.

“Mack! Just the…” she looks me over with a curl of her hairy lip, “girl I wanted to see.”

“Good for you, but I don’t have time for you.” I whirl around, continuing to class.

She keeps stride with me, annoying me more than I like. “I only wanted you to know, I had no idea Boone was using you to get to me, and I didn’t want any hard feelings.”

“Keep telling yourself, I couldn’t care less.” I snub my nose at her venomous lies.

She cuts me off, sticking her pointed nail in my face. “You need to take a hard look around you, Boone might have you fooled, but everyone is laughing at you like we always have.”

“What have I ever done to you, Marla? You have made my life miserable, and I can’t fathom why.” I choke back the tears that threaten from thinking Boone would do anything to hurt me.

She tilts her head, studying me. “You seriously don’t get it, do you?”

“No, I don’t. I will never understand why what I do or who I talk to matters to you or anyone in this town.” My voice breaks, betraying me and showing my loss of control for her and this entire subject.

She steps closer to me, sneering. “Take a good long look at yourself, Mack! You will never be enough for Boone; he’s intelligent, nice, rich, fucking hot as hell, and he’s going places after high school. Do you actually think, when he has a dinner with entertainment executive’s in California, you’re the kinda girl he needs on his arm? Honestly, look at yourself and ask… will I ever embarrass him at any point? Whether it’s the dirt in your nails or even when you tell them you’re nothing more than a mechanic. Let him go, so he can find someone that will be able to lift him to the standards, and the world he deserves to be apart of and that world… will never include you.”

“Get out of my way!” I growl as I push past her, breaking into a run as I put as much distance between us as I can possibly manage. With every step I take, her words sink deeper into my soul.

The worst thing about this is… She’s right. I will never be enough for Boone, and at some point, I’ll have to make him understand it.

I open the door a sweaty mess, meeting Boone’s concerned faced as soon as I’m through it. I lay the paper down on the desk and grab the worksheet. “Sorry, got caught up in a conversation and forgot the time.”

“Nice of you to join us, Miss Baker,” Mrs. Morris replies.

“Good to be here. I’ll just go to my seat.” I point behind me.

She nods. “Alright.”

I slip into the chair beside Boone. He cuts his eyes at me as he holds up his book, so I can find my place. He turns to me with a frown, motioning to his watch.

“I’ll tell you later,” I whisper, garnering me a deep sigh. He’s not happy, and neither am I. There’s too many moving parts for me not to see there’s something going on. “Are you going to prom?”

His brows pull low. “Only if you’re going with me. What happened?”

I shake my head with all that’s coming at me fast and furiously. I try to focus as class continues, keeping us busy until the signal for the end. I take my time gathering my things, wanting a little space between us. I need to clear my head before talking to him.

“Hey.” I look up to find Boone standing in front of me with a piece of paper in his hand. He slides it across the top of my desk just in time for me to scoop it up before he can walk past.