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Everyone standing in the now-crowded hall takes an audible inhale and stops breathing as they absorb the scene. By the looks of this stunned blond asshole and his friends, it seems like no one has ever said anything that daring to him before.
He gets up really close to my face and growls, “Now you listen to me, you little—”
“No, you listen to me asshole,” I say calmly. “First of all, get out of my face, your breath stinks from all the crap that spews out of your mouth. Second, your dick belongs to your body, not in your personality,”—I push him out of my personal space—“so I suggest you pull your head out of your ass and realize that you’re not the only person in the damn school. Maybe if you and your walking skyscrapers didn’t bulldoze down the hall in a straight line people wouldn’t have to dive out of your path to avoid destruction. I’m sorry if someone pissed in your Froot Loops this morning, but please do us all a favor and check your issues at the door. Finding a hobby or going to group therapy could really help you with your social problems. So thanks for the friendly welcome to your school, but I’d like to get to class now.”
The hallway is hushed still and quiet. Blondie looks completely stupefied.
His friends are laughing—like, out-of-breath-gasping-for-air cackling. These other mountains are all just as breathtakingly gorgeous as asshole number one. The late bell rings. Great. I’m late for class.
Confident that my point was made and this jerk face was properly put in his place, I spin on my heel so my hair hits him on the shoulder and walk through the parting crowd, leaving him steaming.
“Oh my God, she so told you, Aiden! That was hilarious!” one of his gorgeous friends says through bursts of laughter.
S
o, the jerk’s name is Aiden. It’s a shame really that such a pretty name and face is wasted on such an ugly personality. So much for going unnoticed; I have a feeling everyone is going to have something to say about me after this. Well, at least I look cute in my skirt and heels.
Now that the entertainment is over, the crowd departs. As I strut down the hallway and turn a corner, I realize that I still have no idea where the hell I’m going. Taking a minute to collect myself, I check to see if maybe there’s someone left who might know where to find my classroom.
Anxious at the best of times, hearing rather large and determined footsteps stomping behind me catches me off guard, and then I’m suddenly turned around and hoisted up and over Aiden’s shoulder. With my face planted firmly against his back, my butt in the air over his shoulder, and my bag hooked through his arm, he takes off down the hallway.
“What the hell are you doing? Put me down right now!” I yell.
Aiden’s stride doesn’t slow, and he chuckles beneath me, the bastard. I strain my neck to see the bemused faces of two of the three gorgeous tree friends who were with him in the hall.
“Can’t you two talk some sense into him?!”
“Sorry, babe,” the one with short brown hair and chocolate-colored eyes yells back at me with a grin of thorough amusement. “Skyscrapers aren’t much for talking.”
I can’t help but see that Aiden really does have a very nice back. His muscles are noticeable under his tight, but not too tight, plain black T-shirt. We round a corner and I’m met by the curious gazes of some people still in the halls—they clearly have no desire to help me either.
Pain shoots through the left side of my chest. Shit. Running into the wall, followed by the very muscular Aiden hoisting me up, coupled with this uncomfortable position is not good. The pain spreads. I have to get down before I make things worse.
“Listen, bud. I’m sorry about what I said before,” I lie. “But kidnapping people is not the way to deal with your problems.”
He adjusts my body, causing a burst of pain in my ribs. Without even slowing his pace, he runs up a flight of stairs. Man, this guy is like the Energizer Bunny, not even tiring once. I’m having trouble breathing. “Please,” I gasp. “Put me down and we can talk this out.”
He ignores me and continues his unwavering stride.
“Can you just let me go gentl—”
Aiden abruptly stops moving and deposits me on the floor.
I look up at him, the wind knocked out of me. The left side of my ribs are on fire—yup, I hurt them again.
“Room 341,” he says, dropping my bag beside me and turning to leave the now-deserted hallway.
Dazed, I try to get up but pain shoots up my left side, forcing me back down to the floor. This isn’t going to end well. Determined not to lie on this gross floor a second longer, I try again, but the pain spreads through my chest. Sprawled on the floor, I’m incapable of moving. Damn it. Looks like this isn’t going to be my first day after all.
I’ve hurt my ribs three times now, which is less than ideal. Reaching into my bag beside me, I fish around for my phone and pull it out. My mom ignores my first call. Typical. The second time she answers on the third ring. “Hello? Haile—I mean Amelia?”
“Hey. I think I hurt my ribs again. I’m going to drive myself to the hospital. I’m only letting you know so you don’t freak out and think the worst when the school calls saying I didn’t show up for class even though I was here today,” I say from my position on the floor.
She sighs as if she’s wondering how I managed to screw up on my first day of school. “How did that happen? You need to be more careful. He’s still out there and this isn’t ove—”
“I know. It doesn’t matter. I’m just letting you know.” Even talking hurts. “I’ll call you when I get the—” My voice cuts off when the pain becomes too much.
“Amelia? You can’t drive yourself.” I try to ignore the hint of annoyance creeping into her tone. “I’ll come pick you up from school—I’ll be there soon. In the meantime, try not to draw even more attention to yourself.”
