Red as a beet, I fled, darting my eyes everywhere just to avoid seeing Felix's face. At this point, I felt like shooting myself in the head. I had to come up with a good lie to get out of this—otherwise, I was finished.
What should I say? What would sound believable?
"May I take a peek at that piece of paper?" I asked unexpectedly.
Felix raised an eyebrow and handed it over. I traced the words with burning ears.
This was the most sensual, erotic scene I'd spent the longest time writing! While creating it, I'd drifted off into a dreamy, fantasy world.
I grunted nervously and, despite the difficulty, met his eyes. I had to get out of this at all costs.
"I have no idea why someone used my name in this story," I lied, "but I'm seeing it for the first time now."
My former crush curled his lips in a slight smile.
"Why would someone use our names in a story?"
"Forgive me for butting in, but I suspect it's mine." Eve snatched the paper from my hand and looked at Felix coolly, shrugging. "I've been bored lately, and since I'm practicing writing for a contest, I used your name because you're the most popular guy in school. Selena's my friend, so it was easier to imagine."
Felix stared at the blonde like she'd just landed from outer space, then shifted his gaze back to me.
"Do you let her do that?"
"I didn't even know she was writing stories about me," I lied again, cheeks burning. I glanced at Eve, silently begging for her to back me up to the end.
"Don't look at me like that. I don't know how this piece of paper ended up in his hands," she said, hands on her hips. "You were never supposed to know about it."
I was so ashamed I couldn't look at him. I just wanted him to swallow the lie and walk away.
"It so happened that while I was walking down the sidewalk, I got hit in the face with this paper," he claimed.
I opened my eyes wider. Was I really that unlucky?
"I don't want you using my name in your stories," he said, turning to Eve in a cooler tone. Then he glanced briefly at me, making me swallow hard. "You shouldn't let her do it either. These aren't sweet, romantic scenes."
He walked away, and I finally exhaled. I placed a hand over my chest and focused on Eve. I was grateful she'd taken all the blame to protect me.
"You're the best friend under the sun," I said.
She kept watching Felix, tilting her head thoughtfully.
"What about you?"
"I wonder what he meant..." Eve squinted and bit her finger. "When he thought it was you, he looked amused, even pleased. But when he found out it was me, I got the impression he wanted to kill me."
"He just had a laugh with me. I'm so stupid for writing my real name in the dialogue. What a shame," I muttered, slapping my forehead.
"Stupider is tearing up your story notebook and letting the pages fly everywhere. I guess some good spirit's trying to hook you two up—since Felix got hit in the face with an erotic scene."
I shot her a glare.
"You're right—it wasn't smart. But it wasn't a good spirit's work. Definitely a malicious one trying to sink me in his eyes."
Eve put an arm around me.
"Maybe he was jealous yesterday? What if you're his crush?"
"Stop making fun of me. I almost died of embarrassment just now. If it weren't for you, I would've."
Eve wasn't about to let it go.
"You're beautiful. Honestly, you're the prettiest girl in school. Maybe a star is flying your way."
"In the evening, you said that was impossible—that Felix was probably gay and into his buddy. Don't give me that crap now," I replied, offended. "I love you for helping me, so don't ruin that if you want me to stay in love with you."
She smiled broadly.
"I don't know what you'd do without me…"
"I remind you half our problems are because of you."
"We need to find out what Felix thinks about you. It's driving me crazy." Eve put a finger to her lips. "It's all very strange."
The lesson dragged on so slowly I thought I'd fall asleep if the bell didn't ring soon. Every time I glanced at my watch, the hands seemed frozen. I just wanted to ditch class and binge Netflix at home with my favorite series and a mug in hand.
"Daddy's going to pick me up during break."
"For what?" I asked, resting my chin on my hand.
"I forgot my math notebook. The teacher's going to strangle me—it's the umpteenth time."
"Sometimes I feel like we're still in elementary school."
A firm thump on our chairs warned us to shut up.
"Will you guys ever be quiet?"
Our class terror had Eve's attention again. The blonde turned and blew her a kiss.
"Wanna flirt with us? I'm open to all offers."
"Think if I knock you down, you'll at least wise up?" Hannah fired back. "If you're not interested in class, go to bed and let the rest of us rest."
"Seriously… what do you do all night that you sleep through the day?"
"I worship Satan to bring you hell." That shut my friend up, who just snorted quietly and faced the board.
I stifled a laugh. I loved hearing them tease each other.
"It's impossible to have a normal conversation with this girl. I don't know where she gets all this venom."
"At least no one gets into her head. These days, you have to spit venom to survive."
The bell finally saved me. I watched Eve scream in a run to catch up, then leave to get her notebook from her dad waiting outside.
I felt sorry for her parents. They must never get a break.
"Happy to hear from this wuss?" Sebastian caught up with me, trying to turn my break into a nightmare. "Isn't this every girl's dream at our school?"
I stopped halfway up the stairs and turned to face him, shooting a cold look.
"That didn't make me happy at all. I'd rather he still didn't know I existed."
Sebastian snorted.
"Yeah, right. If it didn't move you, you wouldn't be blushing like a chamomile."
I frowned, confused by his weird comparison.
"I saw your heart nearly explode!" He jabbed a finger at my chest—and got slapped for it.
"Hands to yourself!" I warned. He grunted nervously, running a hand through his hair.
"Then don't tell me you weren't excited."
"What right do you have to care how I felt?"
He looked confused.
"I just… don't want you to get your hopes up. He's a school star; all the girls chase him and…"
"It's sweet you care," I said, patting his shoulder. "But I've got my wits about me." I turned and walked to the cafeteria on the second floor.
*
I watch my friend suspiciously as she returns at the very end of break. She hasn't even had time to eat her second breakfast, and I don't know where she's been or what she's been up to. With just five minutes before the bell rings, I'm ready to interrogate her, but she clogs her mouth with a banana, chewing slowly and deliberately—as if to avoid talking.
"You're hiding something from me. I know you inside out, Eve."
She widens her eyes, pointing to her full mouth, silently begging me to wait until she can speak.
Sebastian strolls past us as if we're invisible. I'm pretty sure he's still puzzled by what I said to him earlier.
"Did your dad bring your notebook? Are you ready for math?" I ask.
She nods, still chewing. "Eat that banana faster. I want to talk, since you can't say a word in math."
Her cheeks are stuffed with fruit. It feels like she's deliberately stalling.
Suddenly, the class president announces loudly, "People! Great news! Baba Yaga's sick, so we're starting physical education!"
Two hours of PE. My enthusiasm flatlines instantly. I'd rather be buried in math than drenched in sweat playing two-a-side.
Everyone else seems excited except me.
"Let's go! Run!" Eve tugs my hand, and we hurry toward the gym.
She's definitely hiding something. She always acts like this when she does something without telling me.
My heart nearly stops when we get to the locker room and see that we have PE with an older class. And guess who's in that class?
Felix.
Not long ago, I would've been thrilled, but not anymore.
"Eve, what do you say we skip?" I whisper.
She pretends not to hear. "Eve?"
"Don't lead me astray. I'm not stressing about absences. P.E. is cool."
I change slowly, frowning, while everyone else leaves. I'm the last to emerge.
"Hurry up... you won't convince me to ditch," she says, arms crossed.
"You should be happy to have PE with Felix."
I snort. "After everything that's happened? If I was still invisible to him, maybe. Not like this."
Eve shakes her head and leaves the locker room without waiting. I run after her, not wanting to be late, but someone suddenly grabs my arm and pulls me back.
Pressed against the wall, I stare wide-eyed at the face of an 18-year-old—Felix. One hand traps my wrist, the other rests above my head.
This isn't supposed to happen. My heart is pounding like a drum.
"Why didn't I know you were interested in me, Selena Wasley?"
"What?" I manage, struggling to breathe.
He leans in closer, sending electric currents through me.
"The second time, don't tell me it's your friend writing stories about us."
I open my mouth to deny it. "That was Eve's work."
He smirks. "Really? So the notebook with the finished story about us? Also hers?"
I flush bright red. "I don't know what you're talking about."
He presses on, amused. "This notebook is signed with your name. I took the time to read it."
I'm breathless. I'm about to die of embarrassment.
"What notebook?"
I know exactly which one he means — the first story I wrote months ago, which I let Eve read. That sneaky monkey had my dad bring it to school so she could spy on Felix's reaction.
"I don't know if it's magic or what, but somehow, twenty minutes ago, I found this notebook in my backpack."
I open my mouth to protest but can't think of anything to say.
"I'd rather this wasn't a misunderstanding," he says softly. "Because you've been in my thoughts since elementary school, Selena Wasley."
Okay. Is this real life? Am I on some hidden camera show?