The school office was a whirlwind of noise—teachers chatting, students shuffling around—and then the loud blare of the tardy bell that cut through the chaos. Mrs. Crowly swooped in out of nowhere, practically dragging Devin into her office.

"Would you mind showing Sadie around?" she asked, already deciding for him. 

Devin stared at Sadie, bewildered. He thought seeing her at Retreat 101 would be the last time he saw her, yet here she stood with a charming smile on her face. Sadie's fiery red hair cascaded down her petite shoulder as her sharp blue eyes locked onto him. Devin's heart began to thump in his chest, anxiety taking ahold of him. While she looked thrilled to see him, his gut twisted in the opposite direction. What were the odds of running into her again, and here of all places? Was she stalking him?

Great, another girl who would interfere with his progress with Trechial. He thought, giving Sadie a cool smile. After Ms. Crowley handed him a hallway pass, they left. He opened the door leading into the almost empty hallways, "So, he glanced at her, what brings you to my neck of the woods?"

Sadie arched a brow and smiled, "I'm not stalking you if that's what you're insinuating, Devin."

Devin chuckled, not refuting her thought because that idea had crossed his mind, "Can I see your schedule?" She handed it to him, and he looked it over, thankfully, they didn't have any classes together, but they did have some of the same teachers.

Son-of-a! He swallowed the panic that started building up in him at record speed. Sadie had one class with Trechial, and that was the class he was taking her to. Devin handed her the schedule back agitated that Sadie popped up of nowhere. He cleared his throat hoping she hadn't sensed the change in his mood. He had no right to be pissed at her, she hadn't done anything. It was his fault for not pushing her away when she tried to kiss her.

Sadie must have noticed the change in his mood because she said, "My dad got a job at Benson Hospital. Apparently, they made him an offer he couldn't refuse. We live over in Dash Dale Heights."

Devin relaxed. At the very least, she was twenty minutes away from where he lived. He changed the subject as they headed out the double doors into the cold and to the Science building across the lawn. "How's your brother?" he asked, genuinely wanting to know.

Sadie looked at him, her eyes creasing, small, crooked smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "You remember my brother?" she asked, her voice soft but laced with curiosity.

"You talked about him a lot."

"He's doing great. He started school this morning and will attend an after-school program at this place called Cello's."

Devin's stomach churned. Why? Why did it have to be Trechial's job out of all places? Were there no after-school programs where she lived. He maintained his composure, "That's cool."

They reached the building in record time; once at the door, Devin explained where her next class was and turned around and left--he didn't look back.

After the kiss on Christmas, Devin couldn't stop thinking about Trechial. It felt like a door had opened, and now he was more hopeful than ever that their relationship could be something other than infatuation on both parts. They were always together—watching movies, playing video games, or her curled up with some sappy romance novel while he watched sports at his house. It was like they were already a couple, even though they hadn't said it out loud.

Time and time again they came close to kissing again--So close in fact that he could smell the winterfresh gum on her breath. Every time they shared the same space, the pull between them closed the distance. The way she smelled, the way she moved, even the sound of her raspy voice—it all drove him insane. Trechial had no idea the effect she had on him. One casual touch from her sent his heart racing.

And then there was Jared. Devin grinned remembering how she'd blown Jared off to spend time with him time and time again. That had to mean something, right? He hoped it did. He also hoped Jared—or Sadie—wouldn't come between them and mess things up. But for now, he let the thought of seeing Trechial later wrap around him like a favorite childhood blanket.