Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 46858 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46858 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Okay, one…ew! And two…thank you, Eli. Really.
I love you, I type. Did you honestly expect me to say anything different? I love you more than I can explain. I loved you the first second I saw you…
I delete the message, sighing. I tell myself it’s because, the first time I say this, it needs to be in person.
But there’s still something holding me back, as though too fast still exists for us, as though we’re capable of rushing into anything.
We’ve rushed. We’ve decided.
But still, it would be better in person, wouldn’t it?
When can I see you next? I send instead.
Well, I’m going to finish my shift at the restaurant, so my colleagues don’t have to go through that crap without me. And then I told Hudson I’d go to the movies with him later. I sort of don’t want to let him down after last night.
I know what she means, after we sneaked around.
Tomorrow, then, I text. I can’t wait.
I’m at school early, she replies. Maybe I could swing by and say hello?
That sounds perfect.
CHAPTER 21
Della
“You seem different,” Izzy says, as we walk into the communal area.
The sun’s shining brightly, the air feeling fresh…or maybe Izzy’s right, and it’s me who feels bright and fresh.
I almost tell her it might be because I quit my job yesterday. When I told my boss, there was still a piece of me hissing that I had to be careful.
Jess’s voice was as cruel and cutting as usual.
You’re not the sort of woman who takes risks, Della. You’re a loser.
But then I heard Eli’s voice instead, telling me I’m capable and clever and beautiful and kind. And that I’d make a good mother. All the things which matter to me so much more than anything she could ever say.
“Do I?”
I smile at Izzy.
She adjusts the sleeve of her blazer. It seems to be her go-to outfit of choice. “Yeah, happier…obviously you don’t have to share whatever it is, if there is anything.”
Without being so trapped in my own head, thinking about the possibility she might be another Jess in Izzy clothing, I’m able to study her more closely.
Her features tighten with nerves, as though she expects me to back off.
I reach over, gently touching her arm. “I will tell you, Izzy. But not yet.”
She smiles as her eyebrow arches. “Okay, Miss Mysterious.”
I laugh as we continue to walk, rounding a corner, my gaze flitting all over the place in search of Eli.
And this is even when I know we’re not going to be seeing each other until after class.
Suddenly, music blares from the corner of the greenery, pumping dance-style beats. I turn at the sound.
There’s a bunch of jock types crowded around a Bluetooth speaker. One of them – a man with black hair and a tribal tattoo – raises his hands as if to start a party.
“What the hell?” I murmur. “It’s not even midday.”
Izzy sighs. “They were here yesterday too. Security moved them on.”
“Who are they?”
“See the one with the tattoo? That’s Ryan. He’s an ex of one of the Second Chance students.”
“And he’s doing this because….”
Izzy narrows her eyes at me. “He’s a jerk, Della. Sometimes, it’s as simple as that.”
“Should we call someone?”
“It looks like someone is already here.”
I’m about to ask what she means when I spot Mary walking over to them. The counseling teacher walks with her back straight, her arms swinging angrily at her sides. Her billowing colorful dress shifts around her as she moves.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” she yells, so loud her voice cuts over the music.
I’ve never heard her swear before.
Izzy and I instinctively move over. We both agree, without saying, we don’t want these idiots to do anything bad to Mary. She’s a good teacher, understanding, and kind.
“Calm down, hot stuff,” Ryan says, putting the emphasis on hot stuff so it’s clear he’s being sarcastic.
“You were told quite clearly yesterday….”
“Oh shut up, you ugly old hag. What’s the issue? Not getting enough dick from your sad sack of a husband?”
Something snaps in me. It’s just not fair, him talking to her this way, when she only ever wants the best for us.
“Della, wait.”
But I can hardly even hear Izzy’s voice.
I’m walking quickly across the grass, my head cloudy, distantly thinking that I’d never have the confidence to do something like this if I hadn’t started texting my hot tutor.
“Don’t speak to her that way,” I yell.
Ryan turns to me, his lips forming an ugly sneer.
Behind him, his three friends all exchange looks, laughing uncomfortably. I get the sense they’re not all completely onboard with this…that their friend convinced them to come here.
But that doesn’t excuse it.
“I’ll do whatever I want, you stupid bitch,” Ryan says, laughing meanly. “It’s your fault for not having better security.”
“We don’t surround the building with guards because it upsets certain student body members. But don’t worry, young man.” Mary aims her finger at him. “Security is on the way.”