“Mila?”
Unable to form a smile on my face, I refrain from turning around and just call out. “You’re busy. I’ll catch you later.”
I dart around the girls who don’t even seem to notice me. They only have eyes for Jase.
Like me… and every other girl on this planet.
I don’t make it far before a hand clamps around my arm, and I’m pulled to a stop.
Crap, this day isn’t turning out like I hoped it would.
“Hey, you’re soaking wet,” Jase says as he comes to stand in front of me.
“Yeah.” I point up. “Rain.” I lower my eyes to the cobblestone path. “I don’t want to keep you from your friends.”
I begin to move around Jase, but he doesn’t let go of my arm, and tilting his head, he frowns at me. “Why did you come over?”
Seriously?
My fragile heart doesn’t have the strength to deal with the wave of disappointment Jase’s words cause.
“I asked you to pick me up after school, remember?” I ask because I want him to at least remember he said he’d pick me up.
Understanding flashes over his way too handsome features. “Shit, I’m sorry, Mila. I was on my way to your school when Angela came over.”
Angela. So that’s the name of the girl who gets to kiss Jase.
The thought is a sting to my bruised ego.
“No worries,” I mumble as I pull my arm free. I walk as fast as I can.
“Wait, I’ll take you home,” Jase calls after me.
“I love walking in the rain. Go back to your friends,” I shout, quickening my pace even more.
When I finally get to the road, I break out into a run.
I try to get away from my broken heart and lost dreams. I try to outrun the intimate image of Jase and Angela.
Mostly, I try to get away from the wave of hurt because I should’ve known better. Jase has always been surrounded by girls. Older girls. More experienced girls.
Why did I ever think he’d be interested in me?Chapter 2MILAMila 18; Jase 22
Finishing my assignment, I make sure to save the document before I close my laptop.
“Damn, that took forever,” I groan as I stretch my arms above my head. My stomach growls, and it reminds me I haven’t eaten anything today.
Climbing off the bed, I slip on my shoes and walk out of my room, hoping one of my friends wants to eat dinner with me.
I’ve been attending Trinity Academy for a month now, sharing a suite with my best friends, so there’s usually someone I can hang out with.
Walking into the living room, I grin when I see Jade and Hunter snuggling. The movie that’s playing on the TV is totally forgotten.
“You guys are so cute,” I say. Every time I see them together, I’m thankful they worked past their problems. I was really worried about them. “I’m starving. Have you eaten?”
Jade lifts her head long enough to nod. “Yeah, we had dinner an hour ago.”
Leaving the two lovebirds, I check Fallon and Hana’s rooms, but not finding them, I decide to see if they’re at the restaurant. If not, I can always grab something to go.
I leave the suite and take the elevator down. The doors ping open on the ground floor, and I freeze in my tracks when I come face to face with Jase and Jessica lip-locked.
Ugh, does it have to be Jessica? I can’t stand the girl or any of her friends.
Jase manages to pull free from Jessica’s octopus hold on him, and his eyes widen when he sees me staring at them. The doors begin to slide shut, and I don’t bother stopping them.
Well, that sight made me lose my appetite.
Soon after I started at Trinity, Jase asked me to be his date for the welcome ball. Even though everything in me wanted to scream yes and do a happy dance, I had to say no for the sake of our friendship. I’ve loved Jase Reyes for three years, and every day it gets more challenging being around him.
He keeps flirting with me, and it confuses the hell out of me. I know he doesn’t mean anything by it because every weekend he’s out partying. Jase is a playboy, and no matter how much I love him, I won’t give him the chance to break my heart.
I let out a sigh and press the button for the top floor, but the doors slide open again, and Jase steps into the confined space.
“What, no Jessica?” I grumble, crossing my arms over my chest.
He doesn’t answer my snide comment about Jessica and instead comes to stand right next to me. Our arms press against each other, and I scoot a step to the right, but Jase just moves closer to me again.
Nothing will ever come of my feelings for Jase, and I won’t risk the friendship we have for a quick fling. I love Jase too much to lose him.