Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33230 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33230 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Belle: Unless it’s right after school. You guys get out before me. Maybe we can get a cupcake again or something?
Me: I just got to school but I’ll check to see if it’s possible. I’ll text you on my lunch break.
I fire back a quick text. She wants a friend. If anyone knows what that’s like, it’s me. Before Ally showed up on the scene I kept to myself. On purpose. I’d been burned a few times with girlfriends wanting to use me for one thing or another. Sarah told me I have a kind and giving heart. I could try and fake it all I wanted that I didn't with my smart mouth but it was all a façade. That shit hurt when I found out I was being used. Little Belle isn’t trying to use me. She is only a little girl likely having problems feeling like she belongs at her school. I don’t know much about Brad but from the way Belle’s eyes lit up when she saw my house, I can tell they don’t have much. I’m guessing that’s the reason why Brad does what he does. For money. It’s the root of all evil. It’s easy for me to say that because I have it.
I decide to get the Brad situation over with first thing so I head to the GT lounge. I know that’s my best bet to see him. I might as well say what I have to say and then it will be finished. A part of me doesn’t want it to be done. The way he kissed me flashes through my mind. I’d never been kissed before. My mom's words run through my mind, reminding me of what men are capable of. My mind goes back and forth. My throat grows tight.
“Mel.” Ally grabs my arm. “You okay?” I didn't even see her come up. Owen stands behind her looking concerned.
“I’m fine.” I try and shake it off. Was I about to have a freaking panic attack? Oh God, I’m my mother. I love her but I don’t want to be like her. Being unable to control my emotions is one of my biggest fears.
“Liar. What is wrong with you?”
“I don’t know.” I shake off her hold. “I have some crap to handle.”
Ally, being Ally, grabs me again. “You can talk to me. You know that.” My resolve fades.
“I know but first I’ve got to handle someone else.” Then all these weird emotions I can’t process will be done with. I can stop obsessing over them and move on. I won’t be my mom and let these thoughts over a man consume me.
“Lunch?”
“You know I’ll be at lunch,” I say, making her laugh. She doesn't let me go but pulls me into a hug because Ally is a hugger. I think of myself as a non-hugger but last night I wanted more than a hug. I hug her back because you can’t not hug Ally. Plus I needed it.
“See you later.” I let her go as I head toward the GT lounge still not a hundred percent sure what I am going to say to Brad. Either way, Mr. Hot Shot is going to get a piece of my mind. I never should have given him that extra cookie. I hope he enjoyed it because that’s the only cookie he’ll be getting from me.
Chapter 9
Brad
The air in the GT lounge drops ten degrees when Melody walks through the door. Not that I blame her for being pissed. Still, I pretend like there’s nothing wrong. “How’d class go?”
“I got a 70. Thanks for nothing.” She chucks her backpack on the table with enough force that it would’ve slid off had I not put a hand up to stop it.
A twinge of guilt spirals through me. I should’ve answered her call last night. “Why don’t you show me what you’re struggling with?”
“Oh, so now you’re interested in helping me.”
Defensively, I cross my arms over my chest. “I told you to text me.”
“I wanted to talk it out. My brain doesn’t work like yours, obviously, because if it did, I wouldn’t need your help.”
I rub a knuckle across my forehead. You’d think growing up in a household of women, I’d be better at dealing with Melody, but I keep fucking everything up.
“Okay. Fair enough. We’re here together so let’s work it out.”
“I don’t want to work with you at all.” She marches over to Ms. C’s desk and slaps an envelope on the desk.
I don’t have to have x-ray vision to know that’s a request for a tutor change. This is my only chance to see Melody on a daily basis. Maybe I can’t have her like I want, but at least I can see her regularly. At least, I can be with her even a little bit. Moving faster than I ever have before, I leap from my seat and snatch up the envelope. I tear it in half and toss it aside.