Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 83221 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83221 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Callum’s jaw ticks, like he’s clenching his teeth, but then he motions for me to go into the classroom. I’ve been dismissed. His blatant rejection or refusal to hear me out is a punch to my chest.
“Don’t be tardy,” he says in response.
My gaze falls to my feet. I’m unable to look at him. Why do I have to fall for someone so completely unattainable? Why not give in to Dempsey’s advances? Weeks ago, I’d have jumped at the chance of being the girlfriend of Dempsey Park.
But that was before I realized my teacher likes me.
He does like me.
I’m not insane.
Ignoring Callum’s cold words, I leave him, entering the classroom. The other students are babbling, creating a dull roar that makes my temples throb. I’d been looking forward to this class all day, but now I want nothing more than to run away and hide.
Levi saunters in just seconds before the bell rings with one of his douchebag friends. The room falls nearly silent when Callum enters, closing the door behind him. Every nerve ending in my body comes alive at his nearness. It’s as though even the hair on my arms is attracted to him, standing on end, pulling toward him.
“Who here read the case study last night?” Callum asks by way of greeting, his voice clipped and serious.
Of course I did, but I’ve had enough attention on me today. The last thing I’m going to do is add more by being the teacher’s pet.
“Mr. Morris?” Callum asks. “Do you even know what class this is?”
The emo kid up front, Casey Morris, shifts in his seat. “Eh, statistics?”
“I’m the one asking questions, Mr. Morris. Either it is or it isn’t.”
“Statistics, bruh. Yeah.”
Callum walks over to his desk, peering down at the blue-haired kid, power and authority radiating from him. “I’m not your bruh.”
The class sniggers.
“I didn’t read the case study,” Casey mutters in defeat. “Sorry, Mr. Park.”
“The only thing sorry is your grade.” Callum steps aside, no longer interested in humiliating Casey. His attention falls on me. “How about you, Miss Reyes?”
With his intense gaze blatantly boring into me, a flash of heat prickles over my skin. I, too, shift uncomfortably like Casey, but probably for entirely different reasons.
I like being the object of Callum’s burning stare.
“I read it,” I admit with a whisper.
“Of course she did,” Levi utters loud enough for me to hear. “Probably fingered herself all night to it, too.” He barks out a laugh before mocking me in a voice that’s supposed to sound like mine. “‘Statistics is so hot, Mr. Park. Make me come.’”
Callum
I want to put my hands around this kid’s neck and choke the life out of him. Watch his face turn purple and his eyes bug out as he gasps for air. He must sense the rage bubbling up inside me, despite my apathetic expression, because he drops his gaze to his desk.
Good.
He can shut his damn mouth and leave my girl alone.
My girl.
Stupid fucking man. She’s nothing to you. Nothing.
But that’s a lie. Last night, when I made the decision to text her, I made her mine. My friend. Or so I’d agreed to.
It’s not…enough, though.
Friends seems like the wrong word to label what we have.
“May I be excused?”
The object of my obsession’s voice draws me from my inner turmoil. I find Willa’s eyes shiny with unshed tears and her chin slightly wobbling. Everything in me begs me to go to her, pull her into my arms, and not let go.
“You may.”
She grabs her stuff and is out the door in a flash. Without Willa in my presence, I can think and focus. I manage to get through the entire lesson uninterrupted, keeping the class busy taking a ton of notes. It’s not until the bell rings do I realize she never came back.
I need to talk to her. It wasn’t until that dickhead started saying shit to upset her earlier that I really understood how difficult this is for her. He betrayed her trust, in a place she’s supposed to feel the safest, and continues to mock her. I don’t know what all Levi’s father said to Wayne to keep him from being suspended, but it’s not fair to Willa. She’s a victim who’s being forced to face her perpetrator.
When every last person has left my classroom, I lock up and make a beeline to the closest women’s restroom. I wait until the bell rings, sending a few straggling girls rushing out the door, before pushing inside.
“Miss Reyes?”
Something clatters in the farthest stall. “Mr. Park?”
“You going to hide in there all day?”
“The day’s practically over.”
I walk over to the stall door and peek in through the crack. It probably makes me a creeper, but she’s my friend and I’m worried about her.
“Come out of there, Willa.”
The door unlocks, but she doesn’t open it. I take it as an invitation to join her. Some invitations should be declined, but I’m a selfish man. We’re alone and she needs me.