4
The dismissal bell had rung, and the whole class began to leave. Kenzie and Carolina started packing their things slowly, waiting for me. When they saw I wasn't moving, they stopped.
"Anne, the bell rang," Caro said.
I looked at them.
"You go ahead, I'll catch up. I'm going to stop by the library first. I'll call you later," I smiled to appear calm.
They nodded and left.
They're so lucky to have found their true love. Until a few months ago, I thought I had it too. I took a deep breath and started putting my books and pencils away slowly.
As I stood up and headed towards the door, I stopped abruptly when I saw Thomas leaning against the doorway. I took another deep breath and prepared to walk past him. My plan was to walk by him and leave the school as quickly as possible, but he blocked my path by standing in the middle.
He looked at me, as if examining me.
"What's up, little Anne?" he asked with a feigned voice. "Trouble in paradise?"
I knew he was referring to Apolo, but I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of mocking me.
I put on my best smile.
"What?" I scoffed, downplaying it. "Apolo and I are more than fine. We're super fine! Great! Amazing!" I smiled, although I think I exaggerated a bit.
He didn't seem very convinced. He raised his eyebrows and scratched his neck, looking at the floor.
"I see," he looked at me, but I knew he was laughing inside. "By the way, I heard him say he was going with the others, thinking you were going to Carolina's house," he muttered.
I frowned. Well, I guess I'm not his priority now. I couldn't help but feel something in my poor heart. Like a pang.
"I already knew," I lied. I didn't want to look like a fool. "He told me in a message."
He nodded, but he didn't convince me much.
"So, what are you doing tonight?" he asked, rubbing his hands together as if he had an idea.
"Um..." I pressed my lips into a thin line. "Nothing, obviously. I have to study, I'll be alone all night."
And immediately I wanted to slap myself for giving away that valuable information. His expression changed from excited to... seductive?
"All night?" he purred.
"But Apolo will be back," I had forgotten. I lied again. So many lies in such a short time. I don't know what's wrong with me. Thomas brings out the worst in me.
His lips formed a half-smile, and my heart skipped a beat. I have to stay away from Thomas. Now I know I do.
"I have to go," I said, trying to pass by him, but he grabbed my arm.
His gesture was warm and sent an electric shock through my body.
"I actually wanted to invite you to Bob's," he commented, letting go of me.
What? Invite me? To a bar? Ha, he must be joking.
"You don't know me well enough to know I don't go to those kinds of places," I started saying. "It's for... adults, and there's only alcohol and card games and those dirty things," I whispered as if someone else were listening.
"Come on, little Anne, relax, show Apolo you're not that boring girl. Have fun, get drunk!" he exclaimed.
I opened my mouth totally amazed, but then I closed it again. I had no idea what to say to his proposition. But still, the idea was tempting. Did Apolo think I was boring? Ha, they still don't know the real Anne. But Thomas didn't want to go out with me just to prove that.
I narrowed my eyes at him.
"This isn't about Apolo, is it?" I questioned.
"Actually, no. It's about me. I want to see what you're capable of. Because I really want to get to know you better," he replied, winking at me and emphasizing the last word. My cheeks burned.
Perverted.
"Anyway, I'm not going," I told him.
He shook his head.
"Wrong answer. I'll pick you up at seven."
He gave me one last amused look and left me with the words hanging in the air.
No, of course I wasn't going.
I clenched my hands and left the classroom.