2
On Sunday, we returned to school for the evening study hall, and homework was due.
Bill was a notorious troublemaker. When the class representative came to collect his work, he’d just grunt,” Didn’t do it.”
He used to listen to me, and everyone knew it. So whenever he pulled this stunt, they’d come and tattle to
Tonight was no different, except they couldn’t find Bill anywhere. He had bolted the second class ended, no doubt to find Wendy.
“Tessa, Bill didn’t do his homework again, and no one knows where he is. Could you…”
“Just give the list of names to the teacher,” I said, shaking my head with a faint smile. “And from now on, you don’t need to tell me when he hasn’t done his work.”
Hearing this, my classmates could only nod. The rumors about him having a girlfriend were starting to feel
very real, and my attitude all but confirmed it.
When the next class began, I buried my head in my exam papers.
Before Wendy, my dream was for Bill and me to get into Brierfield University together.
Now, my dream was just to get into Brierfield University. For myself.
Bill didn’t return for the entire study hall. The teacher at the front of the room frowned, asking where he was. Every eye in the classroom turned to me, but I never once looked up.
He finally reappeared during the second period.
He slumped into his seat without a word. It wasn’t until a classmate told him the head teacher wanted to see him in the office that he snapped out of his daze. As he passed my desk, he paused for a fraction of a second.
I didn’t look up. I was wrestling with the final, killer question on the math paper, the one where I could always solve the first part but my brain would seize up on the second.
After I finally worked it out, my deskmate leaned in, whispering cautiously, “What’s going on with you and Bill?”
‘Nothing,” I replied.
‘Really? But you used to get more worked up than anyone when he skipped class or blew off his homework.” Her face was a mask of disbelief. I paused, then told her, “That was the past. I’m done looking out for him.” ‘Oh,” she gasped, covering her mouth. “So it’s true… he’s really dating Wendy Summers?”
lowered my eyes and said nothing.
The bell for the end of the second study hall rang, and a few moments later, Bill sauntered back into the classroom.
A small, folded note landed on my desk. “Go home without me after school.”
read it, my expression neutral, then tucked it away and went back to my work.
The classroom was a chaotic mess of noise and motion as everyone packed up to leave. I sat at my desk, slowly gathering my things.
Suddenly, a hush fell over the room. My deskmate let out a small gasp, and I followed her gaze.
Wendy was standing in the doorway. She tilted her head, gave Bill a playful crook of her finger, and then turned and walked away.
My eyes, against my will, darted to Bill. A helpless smile played on his lips as he got up and followed her out. The classroom erupted.
Chapter 1
“Holy crap, it’s actually true.”
“I used to think Bill and Tessa were the perfect pair, you know? The bad boy and the straight-A good girl. But the bad boy and the ballerina… that just hits different.”
“Don’t be such a gossip. Still… don’t you feel a little bad for Tessa?”
“They’ve known each other since they were kids.”
“Guess it’s true. The girl next door never stands a chance.”
My deskmate bit her lip, looking like she wanted to comfort me. I slung my backpack over my shoulder. My
heart felt like it was being ripped apart, but I forced a smile. I couldn’t let a single tear fall.
If anyone saw how upset I was, I’d be the laughingstock of the school by tomorrow.
‘I’m fine. Bill and I were always just friends,” I said. “I’m heading out. See you tomorrow.”
Worry still lingered in her eyes as she waved. “See you. Get home safe.”
Once I was out of the noisy schoolyard, I gripped the straps of my backpack, my jaw clenched tight.
But the tears came anyway, hot and unstoppable. A suffocating pain filled
How could he fall for someone else, just like that?
my chest.
My vision blurred, and a boy’s voice, clear and full of arrogant pride, echoed in my ears.
‘Bill Vance can do anything, and Tessa Shaw is the girl I’ll protect for life.”
