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But I’m supposed to be the one in charge here and in control of this situation. Shawn has made me blind to everything, including my responsibilities. He could be my greatest weakness if I allow it.
Ella
After school, I head to the SAC to grab my usual drink for the ride home.
But Shawn is not at the table where his friends meet for dinner. All of his teammates are there with the usual group of sorority girls and cheerleaders draped over some of their arms. Natasha and Anastasia are at the end of the table with the Queen Bitch of Kappa, Harper Connelly. She’s even more of a bitch than my stepsisters if that’s even possible.
I shuffle through the cafeteria, fixing myself a hot chocolate in a hurry. The last thing I need is for my stepsisters to spot me. I lucked out that they weren’t here the time Tori had called me over to sit with them. But they have been here every time since, so when I stop by, I glance at Shawn from a distance. He smiles in acknowledgment when he sees me, knowing not to cause a scene that will draw attention.
Since the night Shawn followed me home, I have endured more torture than normal from my sisters, forcing me to miss the playoff game. It was supposed to be one weekend, but Clarissa has yet to lift her punishment. She likes having me there twenty-four seven to cater to her. At least I have school and Shawn. I like that we have our somewhat private tutoring sessions because it gives us time away from his usual crowds. But I worry what will happen when Shawn learns of the secret I have kept from him.
Scanning the room, I keep my fingers crossed and find no sign of Shawn anywhere. He’s a big guy and hard to miss.
In a few short weeks, Shawn has somehow managed to suck me in and claim my heart in the process. It beats faster when he’s around. My pulse quickens, and I have trouble catching my breath. Even though we only parted ways over an hour ago, I was hoping to see him. The more time we spend together in the tutoring center, the more I like being around him.
I should not enjoy his company this much. But Shawn is too charming not to like. With each day that passes, I find it difficult not to fall for him.
Full of surprises, I find Shawn propped up against the covered booth at my bus stop, with his hands shoved into the pockets of his winter jacket. It’s February and cold enough outside to turn into ice, yet Finch is here, smiling at me as if he’s not freezing his ass off. Winters in Philly are sometimes mild, but this year has been worse than others.
I raise my eyebrows at him in confusion. “What are you doing here?”
“I noticed you didn’t have any winter gloves earlier,” he says, moving closer.
I glance down at the hot chocolate warming my hands and smile at his sweet gesture. “You didn’t have to do that, you know.”
“I also wanted to make sure you got home okay.”
“I told you before that is not necessary, Shawn. I’m sure you have better things to do than taking six buses tonight.”
“Nope, I’m right where I want to be.” He removes his hand from his pocket and offers it to me.
“How did you know I forgot my gloves at home?”
Shawn pulls a pair of gloves out of his pocket and holds them in his palm, waiting for me to accept. “I spotted you power walking across campus earlier.”
“Power walking? I doubt I was doing that.”
I laugh and take the gloves from him. But that leaves him without a pair of his own, and I feel guilty because I have the hot chocolate to keep me warm. He has nothing but a thin jacket.
“It sure looked like you were from where I was standing,” he counters with a devious grin.
“Do you make it a habit of following me around?”
“I wasn’t stalking you,” he quips.
“I kinda like stalkers,” I joke, grinning up at him, “especially ones as cute as you.”
An awkward silence passes between before he says, “You think I’m cute?”
I roll my eyes and take a sip from my cup. “You know you’re cute. It’s not like this is news to you, Shawn. We already had this discussion about how all the girls on campus talk about you.”
He narrows his eyes at me. “What do they say about me?”
Regretting my words, I take a second to think it over by sipping from the hot chocolate warming my hand. “All good things,” I mutter. “Tori says you’re one of the good ones.”
He rubs his hands together and then breathes into them for warmth. “See, I knew I liked Tori for a reason.”
“You should wear them,” I say, standing so close my chest is almost touching his stomach. “I will be fine.”
