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I was right about him being a douche when I first met him. My eyes narrow after the gamers’ retreating forms, seeing endless possibilities of how to get Ethan to take the video down, most ending violently. This can’t end that way for obvious reasons, so I guess it’s time to start scheming.
10
The only thing on my mind when I hit the gym before school is the obnoxious look on Ethan’s face from yesterday. Ever since what happened led to us being here in King City, I’ve been keeping up my workouts. Partly because I can’t be caught off guard again, and partly because it makes me feel better to work it all out on the mats.
I take extra care on my makeup and give myself ample time to get to school early once I’m finished.
Last night I packed the most slutty-yet-still-appropriate-for-school outfit I own. It’s a tight skirt and a fitted black T-shirt that’s low cut and has a zipper down the front. I give myself one last approving look in the gym mirror before I leave for school.
I’m so early that the junior hallway is eerily quiet. I’m trying not to look suspicious standing casually beside the hallway closet. Eventually, a janitor goes in, and when he leaves, I quickly wedge my foot in to stop the door from closing. Taking a casual look around, I pull out a wad of paper and jam it into the side of the lock so it won’t activate when the door closes. Still facing the hallway, I close the door to test it, making sure it doesn’t lock, and then leave the door closed, ignoring my beating heart.
Now that the hard part is out of the way, I just have to wait. It takes a bit, but eventually I spot Ethan, walking with one of his friends. I note which locker is his, and leave the hallway, hoping that the jam holds throughout the day.
During my morning classes, I’m a little spaced out, still thinking about how that video Ethan posted has been online for a full day now. I haven’t even told my mom. I can’t risk her reacting and calling in a favor, deciding this is the last straw, and then we’re moving again. None of my friends called me out on my vacant attitude until lunch.
Noah waves his hand in front of my face to gain my attention. “Earth to Amelia!”
“Sorry, what?”
“We asked how you did on your calculus test. The one we just got bac
k,” Noah says. Everyone’s at the table except for Aiden.
“How do you think I did!?” I snap.
They all give me shocked expressions, surprised that I snapped at Noah for asking an innocent question.
I sigh. “I’m sorry, Noah. I’m just really stressed.”
“Is this about yesterday?” Charlotte asks hesitantly.
“I guess,” I say.
“About Ethan?” Annalisa asks.
They’re not stupid. They know I acted all unhinged because of the video; they just don’t know why. “I asked him to take it down nicely. He firmly said no. I threatened him; he reminded me that there were witnesses in the room. Long story short, he didn’t take the video down.”
“This is really bothering you?” Mason asks and I nod, picking at my lunch. “I’ll talk to him, then. He’ll listen to me. If not, I’ll meet him somewhere where there aren’t any witnesses.”
“Don’t worry about it. I got it covered.” I smile at Mason, looking into his brown eyes. I love chocolate.
“Are you sure? It wouldn’t be a problem,” Mason insists.
“It’s fine, really. Thank you, though.” I’m ready to change the subject. “So, who else failed that calculus test?”
It’s the end of the day and I’m impatiently waiting for the final bell to ring. I’m sitting beside Mason in sociology class. Anxiously fidgeting in my seat, I’m staring down the clock like if I focused hard enough, I could will time to speed up. When the bell finally rings, I jump up and out of my seat, barely throwing a good-bye over my shoulder to the three boys. Getting to Ethan’s locker is the only thing on my mind. I get a few feet down the hall before I feel a presence that’s impossible to ignore walking beside me.
“I need to talk to you,” Aiden says, his expression giving nothing away.
“Great. Later.”
Escaping Aiden, I’m swallowed up by the crowded hallway. Ethan’s almost at his locker. Just in time. He spins his lock and enters his combination: 13–35–08. I repeat this sequence multiple times, making sure to memorize it. He opens his locker and puts his laptop on the top shelf, making room for his other textbooks. It’s time to make my presence known.
“Hey, Ethan.”
He pauses, looking at me with a bored expression. “Oh, it’s you again.”
Deep breaths. You can do this.
