Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 54383 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 272(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54383 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 272(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Grabbing the edge of the pane, I attempt to push it up in hopes that maybe she left it unlocked, but it doesn’t budge.
I’m tempted to break the damn glass, but a loud rustling below breaks my thoughts.
“Easton? Is that you?” It’s Tully.
Shit. I turn around and stare at her. I’ve never been caught coming here before.
“My room is on the other side, genius!” She smiles. “You clearly got knocked around too hard at practice today. Come down before Scarlett wakes up and pepper sprays you.”
“Right.” I climb down, and she immediately hugs me.
“You know, you don’t have to go all ‘Romeo & Juliet’ to convince me to finally fuck you, Easton.”
“Come again?”
“I know you’re trying to be a gentleman and all, but don’t you think we’ve both waited long enough for sex?” She stands on her tiptoes, threading her fingers through my hair. “Everyone thinks we’re doing it anyway, so I don’t see why you’re dragging out the inevitable. I’ve never gone this long without a guy fucking me…”
I blink.
To every other guy at school, Tully is the epitome of the phrase “sexy as fuck.” Her dark brown hair is always pulled into a perfect high bun, her deep green eyes hold a shade of mystery, and she knows exactly how to make minds wander with her collection of tightly fitted dresses and skirts.
When we started dating the summer before our junior year, I wasn’t the slightest bit surprised that we didn’t have much in common except popularity, but I figured we could still have fun together.
We created a joint TikTok account and started posting random “When your boyfriend plays football and you’re a cheerleader” type of things, and then one night we went viral.
Then we went viral again.
And again and again.
Before we knew it, the joint account had three million followers and sponsors lining up to pay us money that I desperately needed.
It was easy money, I enjoyed being around her, but then her sister was paired with me for an AP English project, and within seconds of her saying, “I hope you don’t think I give a fuck that you’re Mr. Popular because you’re just as average as all these other guys.” I liked her.
“I have my reasons,” I finally say to Tully.
“Care to share at least one of them?”
“They’re complicated.”
“Of course.” She smiles, pressing a kiss on my cheek. “I’m making spiked hot chocolate with my mom’s brandy since I need to get some sleep. Want some?”
“Sure,” I say. “Double the shots in mine…”
5
ME
Dear Harriet Rayner,
There were so many days when I wished we could’ve been friends since we shared a love of all things goth and gore. I was thrilled that you invited me to your exclusive Halloween dinner, but there’s a reason why I never showed…I discovered that you were @MissGreyHighAnonymous who spread rumors on social media about everyone at our school. You hurt a shit ton of people, including me.
Wish I Would’ve Told You,
—Scarlett
“Do you really need to rehearse that concerto again?” Kevin crosses his arms in the living room.
“I do, if I want to make sure it’s perfect in time for my recital.”
“I mean, do you need to rehearse it here?” He laughs, gently prying the violin bow from my fingers. “It’s been perfect for the past several weeks. Trust me.”
“Sounds like you’re about to kick me out.”
“I’m not.” He sets my bow on the mantle. “But I’d like to watch our show with the pizza instead of your music. No offense.”
“None taken.” I place the violin into its case and crack open a soda. “You don’t have to pretend like you haven’t watched the next episode without me, by the way.”
“Good!” He laughs. “I’ll still rewatch it with you, though.”
The doorbell rings, and he picks up the remote.
“You’re turn to pay for our nourishment,” he says. “I paid the last two times.”
“Of course.” I grab a few bills from my purse and head to the door.
The pizza guy isn’t waiting for me when I open it.
It’s Easton.
What the…
“Hello, Scarlett.” He grabs my hand and pulls me outside. “Is now a good time?”
“A good time for what?”
“For us to have a conversation,” he says. “You clearly wanted to try me by not being at home, so I came here to talk.”
I step back, somewhat stunned by the darkness in his eyes. We’ve made each other mad before, but I’ve never seen him look like this.
“Make sure he gives us extra parmesan packets!” Kevin calls out. “The crushed red peppers, too!”
“So, is now not a good time?” Easton says.
“It’s really not.” I motion for him to lower his voice. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“We’re talking now.” He grabs my hand again, pulling me to the far side of the porch.
“Easton, I swear to God, I—” My sentence ends on his lips, and my back hits the hot bricks.