Ash & the Guy Next Door by Jessica Sorensen

Author:Jessica Sorensen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jessica Sorensen

TWELVE

I decide to keep the text a secret, figuring I’ve piled enough baggage onto my day-long friendship with Maxon and Clove.

Ten minutes later, we park in the school parking lot and the cloudy sky begins to grumble with an impending storm. I pretend I’m fantastically cool about being at school as I climb out of the car and sling the handle of my bag over my shoulder, yet my heart refuses to chillax.

“Are you going to be in Mr. Chester’s classroom at lunchtime?” Clove asks as we wait for Maxon to get his box from the trunk.

“Probably. It’s where I ate lunch yesterday.” I act like people aren’t staring at me as they pass by, though I feel like I’m center stage and am about to puke from stage fright.

“Cool.” Clove absentmindedly tousles his hair. “I’ll check out a laptop from the computer lab so we can try to start on that thing you need me to do.”

“Isn’t it risky to do that on a school computer?” I keep my voice low and out of reach of gossiping ears. “I think the lab aid keeps a record of what computers get checked out and by whom.”

“Not if I don’t properly sign one out.” He grins, jolting as thunder rumbles.

I slip on my oversized sunglasses, more for protection from the stares than the nonexistent sunlight. “You’re going to steal one?”

He glances up as lightning streaks across the sky. “I prefer the term ‘borrowing without permission.’ ”

“Clove, I don’t want you to get in trouble over this.”

“I won’t get in trouble. I know what I’m doing.”

“Okay … But promise me you won’t do it if you think you’re going to get in trouble.” I stick out my hand with my pinkie hitched out. “In fact, you have to pinkie swear it.”

He hitches his pinkie with mine with a thoughtful look. “Who would’ve thought Ashlynn Wynterland would be such a worrier?”

“What can I say? I’m full of surprises.” I wink, wishing I felt as lighthearted as I sound.

He chuckles, unhooking his pinkie from mine. “Quit stealing my moves and get your own.”

I smile. Then any ounce of happiness gets left behind as we start making our way across the parking lot and toward the school’s entrance doors. I keep my eyes glued to Clove’s back, trying to disregard all the people who’ve clearly never heard how staring is rude.

“This is going to be a long day,” I mutter, pressing my fingers to the brim of my nose.

“I’m sure it’ll tone down by lunch time,” Maxon says. When I give him a doubtful look, he sighs. “Okay, maybe I’m being too optimistic. At least you’ll get a break from it during lunchtime while we’re in Mr. Chester’s classroom.”

I tighten the knot of the plaid jacket tied around my waist. “You guys will be there at lunchtime today?”

He nods, hopping up onto the curb. “The only reason we weren’t there yesterday was because we were at the university trying to plead our case.”

I slow down as we near the glass entrance doors.

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