Chapter 8
Every time I pick up pace to get ahead of Theo, he catches up with me in just a few easy strides. I can see other students walking on the opposite side of the street, and a surge of panic pierces through me like an icicle to the chest.
“We can’t be seen together,” I say, keeping my tone low, as if the maple trees lining the sidewalks might somehow alert Paige.
Theo turns his head toward me, the morning sunlight catching in his stupidly gorgeous hair. Judging by his expression, he’s rather enjoying all of this. “Why not?”
I stop walking, and so does he. “Do I have to spell it out?” I sigh, the weight of it all pressing down like the heavy backpack cutting into my shoulders. “You’re Mr. Popular, and I’m . . . Dorkella.” I can’t believe I’m calling myself that, but I need to make a point.
Theo raises an eyebrow, his smirk breaking into a full grin that probably makes cheerleaders forget their own names.
“We live in the same house, Chrissy. It’s only natural we’d walk to school together.
” He shrugs and starts walking again, his boots crunching on the occasional fallen leaf, like this isn’t a big deal at all.
“No, no, no.” I grab his arm, feeling the warmth of his skin through his light jacket. “That’s the problem. No one can know we live together.”
He glances at me, confusion creasing his brow. “What’s the big deal?”
I purse my lips, trying to find the right words to make him understand.
The brisk mountain air fills my lungs but does nothing to cool my rising panic.
“Let’s consider it for a moment—Paige would flip out,” I say, waving my hands around to emphasize the gravity of this matter.
“She’d probably assume we’re . . . I don’t know, together or something.
And then I’ll find my backpack filled with glue, or worse—they could make a dartboard with my face on it for cheerleading practice! ”
Theo leans in so close, I can feel him on my cheeks. He smells of the Axe Apollo body wash I see in the shower next to my Dove soap. “Now there’s a thought,” he says, his voice barely a whisper.
If there is one thing I can’t deny it’s the effect he has on me.
My heart longs for his embrace, but my mind refuses to give in.
The memory of his towel from this morning—or the lack thereof—flashes in my head and I swallow, trying to keep my face neutral.
My body feels like a round of Tug-of-War between common sense and whatever hormonal madness he triggers.
Get a grip, Chrissy, and do it fast. I can’t show any signs of weakness.
I manage a tight smile to match his teasing smirk. “Save your charm for the cheerleaders.”
Spinning away from him, I march toward school, my boots stomping on the pavement like I’m trying to leave permanent footprints.
The mountains rise in the distance, their peaks already dusted with early snow, reminding me that I’m trapped in this small town where news travels faster than an avalanche.
In a place this size, being seen with Theo means everyone would know before first period even started.
His longer strides easily keep pace with my determined march. “You know,” he says, sounding like he’s about to endow a piece of wisdom, “most girls would be thrilled to have people think they’re dating me.”
“Well, I’m not most girls,” I shoot back, adjusting my backpack as I speed up to get ahead of him with no success. “I’m trying to survive high school with minimal emotional scarring, thank you very much.”
A car honks on Main Street ahead of us, and I nearly jump out of my skin.
Any second now, someone from school could spot us.
My eyes flit around like a squirrel with an espresso addiction.
What if someone sees us and takes a picture of us?
I’d be walking into an ambush. Paige would probably be waiting by my locker with a glue stick and a bag of feathers.
“You’re kind of cute when you’re paranoid,” Theo says, his smile widening.
I hate it when he toys with me like that. “I’m not paranoid. I’m realistic. Paige has been making my life miserable since freshman year when I corrected her spelling in front of everyone.”
“That long? What did she spell wrong?”
“Her own name.”
His laugh is so obnoxious I worry it’ll alert everyone in the vicinity, but I can’t help but crack a small smile, too. The morning sun glints off the windows of the bakery across the street, momentarily blinding me—then my heart stops.
Standing across the road are Meg and Zoey—Paige’s right and left hands. My entire body freezes. Under no circumstances can they see me walking with Theo.
“Get down!” I hiss, grabbing Theo’s arm and yanking him behind the nearest parked car—a rusted blue pickup truck that smells faintly of fish and pine needles.
“What are you—“
I clap my hand over his mouth, which is both a mistake (because now I’m touching his lips) and absolutely necessary (because his voice carries like a foghorn in these mountain acoustics).
“Queen Bee scouts at two o’clock,” I say, crouching so low my knees touch my chest. “Just stay down until they pass.”
Peering through the truck’s dirty windows, I watch as Meg and Zoey saunter by, diet Cokes in hand, completely oblivious to our hiding spot.
Phew! Crisis averted.
“Just so we’re clear,” Theo’s voice reaches me from behind, “I don’t care what Paige, or anyone else thinks.”
Without looking back, I say, “But I do. Just in case you haven’t noticed, she can make my life pretty miserable.”
Theo appears at my side again. “Don’t let her get to you. No one has power over you unless you allow them.”
If only it were that simple. Sometimes it’s not up to me, and he doesn’t know what it’s like to be someone’s punching bag. He’s not the one who ends up with signs taped to his back.
“Don’t follow me,” I snap, and then take off toward school at a sprint.
I glance over my shoulder. Theo’s actually keeping his distance—about twenty feet behind me. For once, he listened.
With the mountainous scenery behind him, he looks like some ridiculously handsome hiking advertisement as he strolls with his hands tucked in his pockets, the wind blowing his wavy hair across his face.
His eyes catch mine, and I whip my head forward. The maple leaves above us rustle in the morning breeze. Any other day, I might appreciate the beauty. Today, I’m just grateful no one from school has spotted us yet.
“So is this going to be our daily routine?” Theo calls from behind. “You running away from me like I might infect you with popularity?”
I pick up my pace, pretending not to hear him. The school building is visible now. Why is he still talking to me?
“You know,” he raises his voice, “you’re giving people like Paige way too much power over you!”
A couple walking their dog turns to look. Great. Now we have an audience.
“Seriously, who cares what they think?” he shouts, even louder.
I spin around and walk backward. “Some of us don’t have the luxury of not caring. Us unpopular folk have to fend for ourselves, and that means flying under the radar.”
He opens his mouth to argue, but I’ve already turned around. My boots stomp the ground as I pick up pace . . . and halt ten seconds later, leaning forward with palms planted on my knees and panting while Theo casually catches up to me.
“It doesn’t have to be this way,” he says, extending a bottle of water.
Easy for him to say. His social status comes with an invisible force field that deflects humiliation like it’s nothing.
I snatch the water bottle from his hand and tip it back, gulping down half of it in one go. The cool water soothes my parched throat as I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand.
“Thirsty much?” Theo chuckles, watching me with that infuriating half-smile.
I catch my breath. Dancing builds stamina for performances, not for running away from Theo with the equivalent of a small library on my back.
We’re getting dangerously close to school now. The brick building looms ahead, and students mill about the front steps like ants around spilled soda. Anxiety stirs within me. If anyone spots us walking together, the rumors would no doubt spread in a matter of minutes.
“Seriously, we need to split up.” I thrust the half-empty water bottle to his chest.
Theo sighs. “Fine. I’ll hang back.”
“And take a different route.” I glance around frantically. “Go around to the side entrance by the gym.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He salutes. “See you later, roomie.”
“Don’t call me that!” I hiss, but he’s already turning away, his long legs disappearing behind a row of parked cars.
I take a deep breath and square my shoulders. I can do this. Just another day of high school. Easy-peasy.
The moment I approach the school gate, I spot Paige in a huddle with her cheerleader minions, seemingly giving out orders.
Her blonde hair shines in the morning sun.
Too bad her personality isn’t as warm and bright.
She turns, eyes locking directly with mine, and a slow, predatory smile spreads across her face.
I avert my gaze and scan desperately for a friendly face. Then I spot Stephanie sitting alone on a bench to the side of the main entrance.