Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
For the first time in months, a smile breaks across my face as I place my fingers on the keys.
Chapter Four
TATE
“Yo, Tate, where you going?” Shaun asks when I don’t take a seat at our usual lunch table.
“I need to talk to Steffy.” He looks like he’s about to say something just as Desha comes over, and then all thoughts of me and my plans are gone.
Desha isn’t a bad person, but she’s not the person I’d pick for my best friend. She’s sneaky, and Shaun has caught her lying about who she was with on more than one occasion. I remind myself that it’s not my relationship, but I can’t imagine being okay with that kind of love. To me, when you’re with the right person, you’d never do anything to hurt them.
Steffy Greenfield is student body president, captain of the debate team, and she’s also in charge of new incoming students. Noblesville is small enough that we only have one high school in town, but it’s big enough that every year we get a few new students. I know pretty much everyone’s face even if I don’t know their name. At practice this morning, I saw a girl across the field that I knew I’d never seen before.
On my way to class this morning, I saw her again in the office talking to Steffy. She had her back to me, but then the second bell went off, and I had to hustle to class. When I saw her across the field, I had this weird feeling of déjà vu. It was so strange, but it was like I knew her even though I’d never seen her before.
I spent my first three periods thinking maybe she’d be in one of my classes, but it didn’t happen. Now I’m on a mission to locate Steffy and find out where this new mystery girl went. Maybe I can ask her where she’s from or figure out if I know her. I can’t shake this need to talk to her.
“Hey, Steffy,” I say when I walk up to her table. She’s sitting alone and typing furiously on her phone.
“Can’t talk, Tate, I’m in the middle of a very important document that requires my full attention.” She doesn’t look up as she dismisses me.
I ignore her and take a seat as I glance at the screen on her phone. “Is that Dragon Ball Z fanfic?”
“How dare you?” She’s overdramatic as she clutches her chest and quickly hides her phone. “A woman’s inner desires are private.”
“I can keep a secret if you’ll help me out.”
“You know I don’t swing your way.” Her face screws up in disgust as her eyes quickly travel up and down my body. “Boys are gross.”
“I agree, but listen, I need to know about the new girl.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, the new girl walks up and places her tray beside Steffy’s.
“Tate Albright, I’d like you to meet Rosemary Lane.” Steffy is sugary sweet as she looks between us.
“Hey.” Suddenly I don’t know how to use my mouth or my words as she turns her bright eyes on me. They’re rimmed in black eyeliner, making them stand out even more, and it feels like they can see right through me. I swallow hard and feel my chest rise too quickly. Do I remember how to breathe?
“Hey.” She gives me a half grin as she tucks her hair behind her ear and grabs the water bottle off her lunch tray.
“Interesting,” Steffy comments as she continues to watch us. “Do you two know each other?”
“No,” we both answer at the same time, which somehow makes me feel guilty.
“Introductions have been made,” Steffy says, grabbing her bag and empty tray. “I’ve got to finish my chapter before fourth period. Tate, can you squire Rosemary to economics?”
“What?” I blink a few times because my brain feels like it can’t keep up.
“You’ve got econ next, right?” Steffy asks, and I nod. “So does Rosemary. I’ll leave her in your capable hands.”
Steffy bends down and whispers something in her ear that I don’t catch before she waves goodbye and leaves the two of us sitting there. Rosemary’s eyes don’t meet mine for a long moment, and I start to feel bad.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to run her off,” I say, trying to think of someone else she might be more comfortable with.
“It’s okay, she seems busy.” Rosemary’s voice is soft and sweet, and again I can’t shake this feeling that I know her.
“Steffy’s cool, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s secretly running a Fortune 500 company as an experiment.” Rosemary laughs at my dumb joke. “She’s always been kind of intense, but she’s good people.”
“Yeah, she’s been really nice.”
“How do you like Noblesville?”
“It’s okay.” She shrugs. “I saw you practicing,” she blurts out, and I’m surprised by the admission. By the look on her face, she is too.