And she really doesn’t care.
I look away from her first, hating that I gave in, but I don’t want to have a confrontation in the hall with her that everyone would witness. That’ll make everything even worse.
Gosh, I really, really don’t like her.
Heading outside, I tuck my coat around me, glancing over my shoulder to make sure no one’s paying attention to where I’m going. But it’s so cold, everyone is pretty much in the dining hall, where I wish I was too.
Or maybe not.
Honestly, I wish I could run away from this place and never look back. Preferably with Crew by my side.
I walk behind the building where I found Crew and his friends doing drugs, and that moment seems like such a long time ago. So much has happened in such a short amount of time, it’s overwhelming.
I come to a stop when I see Crew standing there, his back to me, his face tilted toward the sky. He turns, as if he can sense I’m behind him, and then as if I have no control, I’m running toward him, his arms going wide as I practically throw myself at him. He holds me close, his mouth at my forehead, his hard, hot body warming the chill I haven’t been able to shake since I woke up this morning to Maggie knocking on my door.
“Birdy, you’re shaking,” he murmurs against my temple, just before he kisses it.
I melt against him, closing my eyes, savoring how tight he’s holding me. “Everything is a mess.”
“I know. But we have options.” He slips his fingers beneath my chin, lifting my face up. “We either ignore it and wait for another scandal to replace this one or…”
I frown, hating that option. “Or what?”
A sigh leaves him. “Or I expose Figueroa publicly and tell everyone he was with Natalie last night."
Oh, that’s right. We haven’t even discussed that yet.
“You really saw him with Natalie last night?”
“After you went inside, I saw a car pull into the parking lot. I ducked behind a bush when I realized it was Figueroa’s and waited to see who would get out of his car. I thought it would be Maggie.”
“He was supposed to meet her last night,” I whisper. “He texted her, said something else came up. She told me this morning.”
“Yeah, because he was with Natalie.” Crew’s expression is thunderous. “I told Matthews what I saw. He’ll have to report it to the authorities. She’s a minor.”
“This will devastate Maggie. She’s in love with him.” I don’t tell him about her being pregnant.
“In the end, she’ll know it was the right thing to do. He’s a creep. He’s playing two girls this semester, and he’s been doing it for years.” He scowls. “He was going to try and get with you next. I know he was.”
A shiver moves through me at the thought. Would I have fallen for it? Before Crew came along and disrupted my world, I might’ve. I don’t know. We’ll never know. “He probably hates me now. I told him to stay out of my business at the end of class, after you left.”
Crew’s brows shoot up. “You did?”
I nod, feeling bad over what I said to him, even though he deserved it. I don’t mention he was warning me off Crew. “And I never talk back to a teacher.”
He smiles. “My little birdy is getting her wings.”
“Stop.” I roll my eyes.
“It’s true.” He slowly runs his fingers through my hair. “I hate the rumors that are out there right now. Natalie’s not stopping them. She told Matthews we were meeting up last night before we got caught.”
My stomach cramps. “Seriously?”
He nods. “She doesn’t want Figueroa to get caught. I know it. Why the hell do they all protect him so much? He doesn’t deserve it.”
I grab hold of the front of his coat, clutching the heavy wool. “Be real with me right now, Crew.”
His expression turns somber. “About what? I’ve told you the truth.”
“So you really didn’t—hook up with Natalie last night?” My voice is a whisper, barely heard. Carried away on the wind.
“No,” he says vehemently. “I was with you. All I could think about was you. And how good you tasted.”
My cheeks go hot, despite the cold air. “Crew.”
“I’m serious.” He ducks his head, nuzzling my face with his, his breath hot against my ear. “I can’t stop thinking about you.”
“I can’t stop thinking about you either,” I whisper.
“Natalie is fucking everything up. I should’ve minded my own business and kept walking when I saw the car lights pull in, but I had to know.” He presses his mouth to my cheek, seeming to breathe me in.
I close my eyes, pressing my forehead to his chest. “I don’t like her. But you’re doing the right thing, Crew.”
“You really think so?”
I nod, then look up at him. “Yes.”
He kisses me, so gently I almost want to cry. Who knew this boy could be so sweet?
“You coming over tonight to finish watching the movie?”
I’m sure that’s code for messing around.
“I shouldn’t,” I answer. “Everyone’s probably watching you.”
I can sense the disappointment radiating off of him, but we can’t risk it—and he knows it. “Maybe tomorrow? It’s a Friday. Curfew isn’t as strict. Or are you going home?”
“I’m not going home until winter break.”
He stiffens, squeezing me closer to him. “Where are you going for break?”
“Nowhere. We’re spending it at home.” I hesitate, wondering if I should ask. Then I do. “Are you going home?”
He nods. “I’ll be at my parents’ apartment on the Upper East Side.”
“Oh.” Our parents are practically neighbors. “Maybe we could see each other.”
A slow smile spreads across his handsome face. “You want to, Birdy?”
He sounds surprised.
“I don’t know.” I shrug one shoulder, and he clutches my waist beneath my coat, trying to tickle me. “Stop! That tickles!”
“Stop trying to act like you don’t care, when I know you do.” He pulls me in so close I’m completely pressed against him, our lower bodies stuck together like glue. “It’s okay to admit that you like me.”
“I shouldn’t,” I tell him truthfully. “After everything you’ve put me through lately. For the last three years, actually.”
His expression turns somber. “I’m an asshole.”
“Yes, you are,” I agree.
“Birdy.” He sounds shocked.
“I didn’t say it. I just agreed with it.” I smile.
So does he.
“Everything’s going to be all right,” he tells me, his mouth hovering above mine. “I promise.”
He kisses me.
And I can’t help it.
I believe him.
THIRTY-TWO
WREN
I haven’t been this grateful for a Friday in years.
Sometimes Fridays make me sad. They would make me miss my family when I was stuck at school. It was hard at first, adjusting to going to boarding school. Having to share a room with a virtual stranger, never feeling like I got time by myself. I did my best though, and eventually got used to it.
But Fridays were hard. Sometimes they still are, especially lately, as my friends grow more and more distant. I was so excited to have my own room, until I started missing having a roommate. Someone to talk to, even if it’s forced.
That’s how pitiful I was feeling only a month ago, if that.
At least we’ll have a shorter schedule next week so that’s something to look forward to, with winter break starting the week after that.
Will Crew and I actually see each other over the break?
I hope so.
I go to the dining hall early to pick up a muffin and coffee, stopping short when I see Maggie already there, standing in line. I immediately go to her, and when our gazes connect, she walks straight out of the line and wraps me up in a tight hug.
“I’m sorry I didn’t text you. Yesterday was—rough.”
I slowly pull away from her, glancing around the room, noting the curious gazes as people blatantly watch us. “Want to talk somewhere private?”
She shakes her head. “I’d rather pretend none of it is happening.”
I want to argue with her, tell her that’s probably not the healthiest way to handle this situation, but I don’t know what it’s like, what she’s going through. She has to be overwhelmed.