The classroom was a frenzy of whispering and stares. I had gone the whole day ignoring them but by 7th period I had had enough. I buried my head in my arms waiting for it to die down. I knew they were whispering about my new escorts and what made it worse was that my father had chosen Jeremy and Max, two of the boys on the girls' Hottest Guys list, to follow me around.
When the bell rang, I exited the room ignoring the three guys who immediately tailed me. I had promised Max earlier that I wouldn't tell my father about him abandoning me to walk Reese to his next class after 7th. I looked to see if I could spot him and Reese but ran face-first into someone's chest. I fell back the force sending me into Jeremy who caught me pushing me back forward. I looked up apologizing wildly then paused. My heart beat wildly and my pulse quickened. I felt my cheeks flush as I met the eyes of Carter who looked down at me surprised. His face held his cold stare that caused shivers to run up my spine.
"No, it was my fault, I'm sorry." He said then looked down at my wrist that he had grabbed after I practically flew backward. My cheeks burned with embarrassment but It wasn't as overwhelming as the electric current I felt course up my arm from his grasp. He suddenly let go his gaze flashing with something I couldn't read.
"It's fine. I wasn't watching." I said turning to Jeremy who was narrowing his eyes at Carter. "Thank you," I said which only earned me a nod from Jeremy.
"Anyway," Carter said. "Nice to see you're okay but you should go now you're gonna be late." He pointed to the clock on the wall.
"Er-right," I said. "Sorry, again and thank you!" I bolted passed him with Jeremy and the other two close behind. I sighed to myself as my body cooled down. It wasn't face planting into his chest that was the worst part about that encounter though it was my pulse that had gone into overdrive. My heart had beat so wildly I felt like I had run a mile and my skin had felt red hot. Even now thinking about it made my heart race. It couldn't be a Bond, could it? I shook my head.
"Aylin, you forgot us again!" I turned to see Daniel and the rest of my unwanted companions catch up to me. I didn't realize I had power-walked ahead of them.
"Oops," I said sarcastically earning a laugh from Marcus and Jeremy. "So, I think I destroyed your fan clubs today," I said as Max suddenly appeared walking towards us from around the corner.
"I think you campaigned for them." Jeremy corrected with a smirk. I rolled my eyes.
"Yep, I definitely can't count how many are in mine but I know it grew." Max grinned. He enjoyed his parade of girls but I knew he only liked one.
"So, about Reese," I began. Max shrugged. "Nothing? You don't want to tell me about anything today?" I questioned.
"He wants to know more about how you drooled all over that senior just now!" Daniel jumped in making me want to turn and smack him.
"I did not DROOL," I stated calmly. But Max was already interested. Jeremy nodded and even Marcus looked amused.
"Ooohhh do tell," Max batted his lashes pleadingly. We reached the doors leading to the parking lot letting me stall a few moments. I rolled my eyes as we neared the car and got in.
"Fine, we can just tell him our point of view," Daniel said when Max pulled out of the parking lot. I shook my head.
"You better not." I grimaced. I don't even know what their point of view would be.
"After you had run off with Reese, Aylin was trying to ditch us. Can you believe her?" Daniel started making a pouty face. I glared at him. "Well, of course, without us she wasn't paying attention to where she was going and ran straight smack into this senior guy. Honestly, if it wasn't for Jeremy she would have fallen on the floor. But, none the less she had locked eyes with the senior, and sparks were flying and kissy faces were smooching and-"
"What?? There was none of that I just fell, Jeremy caught me, and Carter apologized. That's all that happened." I huffed. Leave it to Daniel to have a wild imagination.
"Wait, wait, wait, you know that guy's name?" Jeremy asked. I cursed to myself.
"Oooohhh, so she does know him!" Daniel laughed. I shook my head feeling overwhelmed.
"Interesting." That was all Max said. I looked at him quizzically surprised he wasn't teasing me about it. He didn't say anything the whole ride home again. Once we pulled into the driveway I tried to hide my surprise again when all four guys got out to come inside. I wouldn't have alone time anymore unless I was in my room.
I grabbed a snack from the kitchen and so did Jeremy and Daniel. They went to the living room to watch tv after I told them it was fine. Marcus had grabbed a book and followed them as well. I went to our large dining room and sat down to eat noticing that Max had followed me.
"What is it?" I asked him between mouthfuls.
"Well, Allen told me about your... situation." He said making me pause. I swallowed my food.
"What's my situation?" I asked narrowing my eyes. I was suddenly uncomfortable. I pushed my food away slightly as Max fumbled for words.
"He told me about the alliance." Max finally said making me suck in a breath. I'd forgotten he had overheard Landon mention it.
"The marriage?" I whispered looking down at my hands not wanting to talk about it. Max shifted in his seat.
"Why didn't you tell me before?" He whispered back.
"Tell you what? This wasn't my decision. I have no choice in the matter." I stated loudly not caring if the other guys heard me.
"Why didn't you tell me you were dealing with this alone? I thought we were best friends and you told me everything." I bit my lip hard. The iron taste of blood coated my tongue making me feel nauseous. That's why he had been avoiding telling me about Reese.
"Because I didn't want to admit it was happening. Not telling anyone was the only decision I could make by myself in this whole mess."
"Well, you still could have told me and let me help you!" He yelled. I stood up tears blurring my vision.
"Maybe I should have. I told Avery and she screamed at me and called me selfish. But maybe that's why I couldn't because it seems like you're doing the same thing." I stormed out of the dining room knocking over a chair in the process. This was the stupidest thing to fight with Max about. We'd been friends since we were toddlers and we'd rarely ever fought. I don't understand why this meant so much to him.
"Aylin, are you okay?" I heard Jeremy ask as I passed the living room. I ignored him running up the steps and into my bedroom where I could finally be alone. I didn't notice I had cried myself to sleep till I woke up still dressed in my day clothes and the clock read 1:23 A.M.