I stormed quickly down the hallway of the school, my keys dangling from my fingertips and wiped Nicholas' fish breath from my lips.

"Ms. Hart!" Mr. Bellingham called my name just as I reached the end of the hallway.

What. The. Hell. Uggggghhhhh!!!!

"Yes?" I turned to face him, my fingernails digging into my thighs to keep me from panic crying.

"How was book club?" He asked me. I really wish I could tell him the truth. Nick kissed me, and it was the worst kiss I had ever gotten from anyone, let alone a boy. The only thing I could muster was a snarky, "It was something."

"Mr. Davis told me you only had to attend one time." That was a relief. "Would you like me to put you on the schedule for next week, or would you like to finish with book club?"

Is that a joke?

"I think I'm good with just one day," I replied.

"Got it," Bellingham said, jotting down something in his phone. "Well, I'm a bit bummed your expectations didn't come through, but there's always the next club."

I wanted to gag.

"I think I'm good." I repeated, my eyes focused on the black double doors in the distance. "My mom is waiting for me to come home, so I should probably get going."

"Okay, Ms. Hart. Just let me know if you change your mind," he said, his cheery little smile sending chills down my spine. I rushed out the door as if I had somewhere important to be, only to be greeted with a while back bumper of a black Lexus—Cece's black, Lexus. Unaware she used me for a speed bump, Cecelia pulled back into the parking spot and screeched out of the parking lot, as my eyes got heavy, and my head swam.

"Are you okay?" Was that an angel? Was I in heaven? The voice boomed again. "Are you okay?"

My eyes fluttered open. Mr. Harriman and Aaron leaned over me as I lay in the parking lot. "Am I dead?" I muttered, staring up at the two of them.

Aaron laughed. "No, you just got rear-ended by none other while walking to your car."

Aaron extended his hand, and he pulled me up. "Are you sure you're okay, Ms. Hart?" Mr. Harriman asked, trailing behind me.

"Yes, I'm fine," I replied, grabbing my backpack from the floor. Aaron followed me.

He grabbed my hand. "At least let me drive," he offered.

"I don't need you to baby me," I replied, flipping my backpack in front of me and pulling it out of his grip. I searched for my keys.

"Where is the..." Aaron dove into the left pocket of his hoodie and pulled out my keys.

"Looking for these? Cece just hit you with a car, Emily." He pulled them away. He may have been right, but it was my fucking car.

"Aaron, give them to me." I grabbed the keys. He pulled them away, passing them from one hand to the other. "This is not fair. It's not your car," I argued. He stared deep into my eyes, holding the keys high. "Fine," I gave in.

He walked to Cher's driver's side door, and I slid into the passenger side. I watched him kindly insert the key, and Chers' engine rumbled. We pulled out of the parking lot silently. Occasionally, Aaron would look at me to ensure I was okay, mustering the courage to speak. Finally, he cleared his frogged throat.

"So, prom's coming in a few days. Did Mr. Davis say anything about what happened in the Cafeteria," he focused on the road.

I shook my head. "Nope."

"You've got to tell him the truth," he faltered.

I shifted in my seat, turning to face him, and huffed. "Hey, how are you getting home after you drop me and my car off."

He winked. "I texted my dad already."

"You're an ass, and you know that, right?" I said, poking him in the bicep.

He smirked. "But you know you like it." He affirmed seductively. I rolled my eyes and looked away. Yeah, sure.

We rode the rest of the way in silence. He pulled up next to my house and shut off the engine. I recoiled back as he leaned over, unlatching the door for me.

"You know I can do that myself," I argued.

He laughed. "Yeah, but I wanted to do it."

"So—you sure you're okay?" he asked, shifting awkwardly on the balls of his feet.

I rolled my eyes. "Can I have my keys, please?" I growled.

He nodded, pulling them from his hoodie. "I just don't want to find out you've crashed because you had a concussion."

I stared at him. "You're not my dad."

He scoffed. "Yeah, but it would be nice to know who he was." The squeak of the door interrupted us momentarily as it was unlatched from the inside and swung open. My mom stared at both of us.

"Well, hello. Who is this, Emily?"

"A friend," I replied, watching a cocky smirk form on Aaron's lips. I whacked him, and his grin weakened.

"Don't hit him," my mom nearly yelled. Aaron held back laughter.

"I-I'm sorry, mom," I stuttered.

"Don't tell me; tell him," she scolded, holding her hip.

"I'm sorry for hitting you, Aaron," I groaned. Aaron grabbed my shoulder.

"It's okay." He said as a Mercedes pulled up in front of our house and rudely honked its horn.

"Got to go. That's my stepdad," Aaron grinned.

"I guess I'll see you at school?" I asked.

"Yep," he waved goodbye as the car pulled away. I grimaced. Thank's for the ride, Dorkis.