- 12.
Walking home from school the next day.
Ethan cornered me in a side alley.
“Sarah.”
“Let’s talk after the SATS.”
“Talk about what?”
He leaned in close, his gaze fixed on mine.
“Dating.”
So, he really did like me.
I pressed my lips together.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“You only got three points on your essay.”
He ran a hand through his hair, a pout
forming on his lips.
“So what?”
His jawline was sharp and defined.
I smiled.
“Get an average score on tomorrow’s essay,
then we’ll talk.”
<
Ethan gritted his teeth.
“Fine.”
My phone buzzed in my pocket.
I pulled it out and accidentally swiped to
answer.
Jake’s voice filled my ear.
“Sarah.”
“Pack your bags. You’re coming back to
Crestview tomorrow.”
His tone was condescending, like he was
doing me a huge favor.
As if I’d be ecstatic to jump at his command.
I was completely baffled.
Just as I was about to hang up, a voice spoke
directly into my hearing aid.
“Babe, you gotta close your eyes when we
kiss.”
“And no answering calls from random guys.”
Jake’s voice was sharp with anger.
<
“Who is that?”
“Sarah, get your stuff together and come
back before I change my mind.”
I looked up at Ethan’s defiant face. I didn’t
bother explaining.
“No thanks. I’m happy at Northwood.”
Jake’s voice was tight with disbelief.
“Sarah, don’t be ridiculous. This isn’t the time
to be stubborn.”
“A place like Northwood? You’re really
planning on staying there until the SATs?”
“Don’t you want to go to Harvard or Yale?”
So, he remembered my dream of going to an
Ivy League.
He knew Northwood wouldn’t get me there.
But how dare he? He was the one who kicked
me out, humiliated me with that forced
transfer.
And now, right before the SATs, he wanted
me back?
