Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 85569 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85569 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
With one last look at Cole and a tight, awkward smile I headed out, ready to face the worst. The second I unlocked the door and went out, I spotted a very familiar face waiting for me. Pearl was leaning against the wall and leisurely scrolling through her phone. There was no doubt she was aware of what had happened inside because she was looking at me, her head cocked and a look of wonder in her eyes.
“Really?” she asked.
I was nervous but also amused by her disbelief. “Really what?”
She looked at the door I had hastily closed behind me, then she shook her head and walked with me. We didn’t say a word to each other, but just before we joined everyone else, I pulled her aside. As far as I could see there weren’t any pitchforks waiting for us, and everything seemed exactly as I had left it. But I had to be sure there weren’t any devastatingly unpleasant surprises awaiting me.
“Was there … I mean, why were you waiting there?”
“You disappeared,” she said simply.
I nodded. “And.”
She tried to hide a smile. “Cole Swift disappeared as well.”
“Okay.” My heart was pounding.
“If even I noticed this, what do you think about everyone else? Especially all those hyenas who are stalking him.”
Even though it felt as though I’d just returned from another world and lifetime we hadn’t been gone very long. Taking in a deep breath, I released it slowly. “Did anyone hear? Did we draw anybody’s attention?”
“Why do you think I am waiting for you?” she asked.
I was confused. “What do you mean?”
She lifted her hand and tapped the back of my head. “Kelly ordered me to disappear as well, you moron. That way anyone curious could conclude that he went to the bathroom or something, while I was with you the whole time.”
I felt so relieved, I nearly fainted from it, but as the true implications of what my friends had done for me dawned on me, I felt so grateful I wanted to hug Pearl tightly. And that was exactly what I did.
“You should have at least warned me beforehand to cover your tracks,” she scolded. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? At school, especially? Your dad could have gone to the storeroom.”
I really didn’t know what to say in response to this. I felt like a complete mess. I was a complete mess and it was all his fault.
“You're smiling?” She pinched me.
“Hey,”’ I cried out.
“What are you smiling about?”
“I’ll be right back,” I said, and turned to go, but she caught my hand and stopped me. “You have got to be kidding me. You're going back for more. That’s just neurotic This lot are gonna figure it out and the whole town’s going to be gossiping about you and him.”
“I’m not going to him. I need to use the bathroom,” I explained and hurried away, only to bump into a man who was heading towards the sheds. There was a gorgeous smile on his face and he looked so good, as though he had taken a warm towel to his face and body, even though there was no warm towel in the storeroom. Insatiably, I inhaled his scent.
“Are we in trouble?” he asked.
His voice broke the spell and I realized where we were and how many eyes were probably on us. I retreated back from him. “I don’t think so.”
“Good.” He nodded courteously, then passed me by.
The perfect stranger. I couldn’t help but watch him as he walked away.
A handkerchief suddenly appearing underneath my chin startled me. “What the …?”
“You’ll need this to wipe off your drool. How absolutely neurotic of you. This is all my fault. I created a fucking monster.”
I cracked up at her words and took the clean handkerchief because I would most definitely need it. I tried to stop myself, but I couldn’t help casting one last long look at him before turning and heading off to the bathroom.
I cleaned myself up, but to be honest, I was almost reluctant to do it. I wanted to keep his scent on me. Everywhere I touched was a very vivid and poignant reminder that he had touched me there. The constant flashback made me feel as though he was right there with me. I was well aware I had to get myself back together, but before I could the bathroom door was pushed open, and a group of females headed in.
"Is she here? You said she was here. Montana!"
"Yeah, I’m here." I sighed. I had done something crazy. Something even Kelly would probably think twice about doing. So, of course, I had become worthy of gossip and conjecture. I hoped this little tidbit about my behavior would not get to my dad.
"Ow!" Kelly yelled as soon as she saw me. “Just look who’s been buttering the biscuit in the school store room! Ha, ha, the student has become the master.”