Harper. Tears start to burn at his rejection, at his cruelty, so badly that I can’t see where I’m going as I shove through more grinding bodies and surging hormones. My vision blurs as I run back down the hall. I look over my shoulder and sure enough Easton’s still watching, that smug asshole smile in place. Islam hard into something and fall, hearing Easton’s laugh along with Aisha’s over the pounding. music. I blink up. It’s Blake, because of. course it would be Blake. “Oh shit. ” He quickly pulls me to my feet. “I’m sorry, I didn’t see you. Because I’m invisible, aren’t I?. Unwanted. Uninvited. Great, am I really going to cry in front of him, of all people?. The biggest ass in the senior class with the emotional intelligence of а реа. He takes one look at me and curses, then starts dragging me down the hall and into the garage, where I burst into giant, gut. wrenching sobs. My night’s ending where it started. From famous makeout session with the off-limits guy I’ve crushed on for years, to the player who’s slept with every girl on the cheerleading squad and dance team, now awkwardly comforting me. Blake’s staring, his green eyes roaming over me like I’m some sort of foreign creature. He lifts his hand, then drops it, before he finally pulls me in for a tight hug. Both embarrassed and comforted, I briefly hug him back, completely weirded out that the third part of. my brother’s friend trio-the one who once jumped off of the roof into our pool, screaming I’m Britney bitch is trying to comfort me. “Anything I can do? ” he asks. I pull away, frowning. “Ar e you drunk?” . “The hell?” He shakes hi s head. “No. “High?” My frown deep ens but at least the tears stopped flowing

“Why do I suddenly feel offende d?” He laughs. “Do I have to be drunk or high to care about your . fee lin gs?” . I think for a mi nute then blurt, “But you’re you. “Wow. ” He crosses his bulky, tanned arms. “Okay, I’m offic ially offended, no takebacks. I find myself s miling. “You kn ow what I mean. “You should probably ex plain it to me since I’ m a guy and we’re dumb. I always forget how pretty he is, with his dark hair pulled back into a bun and his green eyes focused only on me. I lick my lips and try again. “I j ust mean you’re Blake Elliot. You have a certain reputation for, you . know …idi ocy. He lifts a br ow. “Wanna kn ow a secret?” . “S ur e?” . He leans in, looking like bad choices and sin. “I actually have one of th e highest grade point averages in our class. I’m just bored as hell sitti ng there, so you know…I entertain. ” He spreads his arms wide. “Impressed?” . I narrow my ey es. “Are you b eing serious?” . “No, actually I’m failing and might have to repeat my senior year for the third time. “What!” My jaw drops. His laugh has me joining in. “God, you should have seen your face just now. How old do I look? Damn, now I’m doubly offended. ” He holds up his right hand like he’s taking an oath

“I’ve never repeated school ever, not even when I accidently killed the class lizard in first grade because wanted to set him free. “Uh, I don’t know this story. ” And I feel lik e I know all of Blake’s . st ori es. “I felt bad for the little guy, trapped in hi s cage. Like a prison. So, decided to let Mik e go, that was the lizard’s name, by the way. “Ooookay. ” I shake my head. “Oh, good, you’re keeping up. ” He win ks. “Anyways, that’s how Mike met his untimely death in the school toilet. “Let me guess, be cause all drains l ead to the ocean?” . “Exactly. I thought he could s wim his way to freedom. ” He hol ds his hand up for a high five. I slap it a s the door jerks open. Easton stands there seemingly drunk and uncertain o n his feet. “Are you seriously hiding out in my gar age now, Harper? With Blake? How desperate are you?” . I can’t decide if I’m embarrassed or angry at this point as I try t o come up with something to say. Maybe I should just find a baseball bat, let out a war cry and run toward him just to see his reaction. Easton scowls. “Seriously, Harper, maybe you’d be more popular if you didn’t try so hard. “Wowwwwww. ” Blake wraps his arm around my shoulders. “You kiss Aisha with that mouth. ” He snaps his fingers. “Oh wait…”. “Stay ou t of it, Blake. “Quick, how many fing ers am ! holding up?” Blake holds up three . 5 6 35