(If you have a friend that hasn't read this book and you think they'll love the story, please tell them about it!)

 

 

(Unedited and written for FUN because I EFFIN LOVE these characters <3 )
 

 

Someone needs to start a national registry for terrible teachers as soon as possible. The moment it goes live, I'll have to add Mr. Fleming--my AP English teacher--to the list. Then I'll write multiple five paragraph essays of all the ways he isn't qualified for the job.

 

 

Today, he's hosting class in the student parking lot, giving us a lecture on all the things he wished he'd done when he was a senior. Since he has no life of his own, he takes pleasure in making ours miserable. 

 

"I want you all to take this next group project very seriously," he says. "Get to really know your partner and take your time with every assigned module. I'll know if you cheated, and it's important to learn how to walk before you crawl."

 

I consider raising my hand to ask if he meant "crawl before you walk," but I don't risk it. The quicker this class is over, the better.

 

He picks up his beloved "Special Partner Jar," a glass box full of candy wrappers with our names on them. Then he passes it around the front row with a clipboard. 

 

When it reaches me, I unwrap a purple paper: Yemi Davis. 

 

Letting out a relieved sigh, I look over the assignment sheet for the umpeenth time. Yemi is a super creative writer, and I'm sure that we can have this project completed in a few days. 

 

"Is there a reason all of you are still sitting here?" Mr. Fleming asks. "Enjoy this concrete nature while you can and meet with your assigned partners."

 

I slam my folder shut and stand to my feet. Smiling at Yemi, I motion for her to come over. 

 

She rolls her eyes and turns away.

 

 

Before I can approach her, Easton Rush steps in front of me. 

 

"Hello, Scarlett." He smiles and I try not to look directly into his eyes. 

 

As much as I want to deny it, he's the most beautiful guy I've ever seen. While he's usually cocky as hell and dominating class discussion, something has been off with him this week; he's been more reserved and quieter than usual, and I haven't seen him around Tully as much. 

 

If he were anyone else, I'd ask if something was wrong, but I shake away the thought.

 

 

"Hello, Easton," I say. "Goodbye, Easton."

 

"How do you want to start our project?"

 

"Our project?"

 

"Yes." He smiles. "We're partners."

 

"So, that rumor about you not being able to read is true..." I cross my arms. "Check the clipboard. You're not my partner."

 

"Yes, I am."

 

"I'm with Yemi."

 

"She scratched out your name and wrote mine." He smirks, extending the clipboard to me. "Do I need to start a rumour about you not being able to read?"

 

I look down at the sheet and hold back a gasp. Not only did she scratch out my name next to hers, she wrote, "I will NEVER partner with either of the Crane sisters. No thank you!" 

 

Stunned, I look over at her and see that she's laughing with her new partner.

 

"I don't understand..." I say. "What did I ever do to her?"

 

"Maybe she just doesn't like you, or maybe your sister did something."

 

"The latter makes more sense..." I shake my head. "Anyway, I really need to get an 'A' on this, so let's discuss the thematic framework of the books first. After that, we can pick out the parts that we--"

 

"You're fucking stunning," he interrupts me with a smile. 

 

"Wow." I roll my eyes.  "My identical twin sister's boyfriend thinks I'm stunning. That's...something."

 

"I can easily tell the two of you apart."

 

"Me too," I say. "One of us has good taste in guys and the other doesn't."

 

His smile widens, and I consider scratching his name on the clipboard and demanding a replacement partner. 

 

"You know what?" I decide to settle on a 'B' or B minus on this project. "Forget what I said about the discussion. Let's just break up the first few modules and email each other as we get our parts done."

 

"That won't work for me," he says. "I prefer to work on things like this in person."

 

"Okay." I ignore his comment. "I'll have my part in your inbox by this Thursday."

 

"You have band practice on Thursdays."

 

"Fine, Friday."

 

"I have games on Fridays, and I'm pretty sure the band plays at those games." He glances at my lips. "I'd hate to miss my weekly view of the clarinet section."

 

My heart races against my will for some odd reason. I never realized that he noticed me, and I know Tully never brings me up in conversation.

 

"Okay, Mister Easton Rush. I'll send you my part Sunday, and I expect to have yours by then as well."

 

"I'm not emailing you."

 

"And I'm not failing this class because of you." I narrow my eyes. "For what it's worth, 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."

 

He laughs, and butterflies flutter in my chest. 

 

"What time can I come over?" he asks. 

 

"Never."

 

"Can I have your phone number?"

 

"You can get it from my sister. Next time your tongue is down her throat, come up for air and--"

 

He presses a finger against my lips and my entire world stops. "Give me your phone number, Scarlett. Now."

 

"Okay..." I let out a breath as he moves his hand away. 

 

Then he pulls out his phone and taps his screen. "What time can I come over tonight?"

 

"I have sectional rehearsal this evening." I'm not sure what the hell is happening in my chest, why my body is being drawn to him, but I have to put an end to it. "It'll have to be another day."

 

"Tomorrow?"

 

"No." I turn away from him. "I've got to go."

 

 

 

I walk through the front door and Tully fires a cannon straight at my chest.

Within seconds, I'm doused in a mix of silver and pink glitter.

 

"Ahhhh!" She screams. "It's still not the right colorrrrr!"

 

"There's no way we're related..." I pull off my shirt, tossing it to the floor. "What the hell is this?"

 

"It's for this year's house party. Duh." She picks up another cannon. "I'm not setting a date until I have the right glitter for the theme. It's one of the most important parts, you know?"

 

"Um hm." I unbutton my pants and step out of them. "I've heard that before."

 

"I love the way the pink sparkled when it hit the air." Her best friend Jessica swoons from the parlor room. "But it doesn't shine as well on camera as the purple."

 

"Agreed," Tully says. "Turquoise doesn't fit the theme at all, but it looks amazing when it falls."

 

"Should we try it again?"

 

I rush up the steps before my brain cells decide to abandon me.

 

When I get to my room, I notice a missed call from Kevin, so I call him back.

 

"About time!" he answers.

 

"Is something wrong?"

 

"No, I just finished my snooping and found out what's going on with Mr. Sexy Moody."

 

"Who?"

 

"Your sister's sexy ass boyfriend and your new partner." He scoffs. "Keep up. Apparently, his mom died in a car accident and he and his dad are trying to keep things as close to the vest as possible."

 

"What?"

 

"I know right? I don't know how he's even able to walk around and share his sexy smile and laughter with us. I'd be a fucking wreck. So, try to cut him some slack while y'all work together, okay?"

 

"Okay. I will…"

 

"Perfect! Now, call me back in two hours and ask about my date with Randall from Auburn."

 

"Why do I have to wait two hours?"

 

"Because I'm not home yet and may need to use you for an alibi. Stay up!" He ends the call before I can say another word. 

 

I lay back on my bed and start typing an apology to Easton. The proper sentences aren't coming, though, and we're not close enough for me to call.

 

By the time I've redrafted my message for what feels like a million times, I only have three words, "I'm so sorry..."

 

My phone suddenly vibrates with a text from him. 

 

Easton: I thought you had band practice.

Me: It ended early.

Easton: Then you should've told me.

Me: Why?

 

His name crosses my screen via phone call, and I take a deep breath before accepting. 

 

"I'm sorry about your mother," I say. "If I'd known, I wouldn't have been so sarcastic with you earlier."

 

"You mean, you wouldn't have been yourself?" There's a smile in his voice. 

 

"Yeah, that." I pause. "I can't imagine how you feel right now."

 

"I feel like I want to see you..."

 

What? "Um...You mean you want to work on the project a bit to clear your mind?"

"We both know that's not what I mean."

 

"I can do your part if you're not up to it," I say, convinced that I'm hearing things. "I can totally understand and I don't think we need to make this project any more complicated than it already is."

 

"What's complicated about me wanting to see you?"

 

"I have a feeling it's not about the project."

 

"It's not."

 

Silence.

 

"Well, um, Tully is here, so--"

 

"I don't want to see your sister," he says. "I'm not in the mood to discuss glitter cannons."

 

"Do you want me to meet you somewhere then?"

 

"No." He's silent for several seconds. "Just open your bedroom window for me..."

 

 

Don't forget! I'm shipping your signed paperbacks this weekend, so grab one for your shelf! They are now permanently in the F.L.Y. Store. If you ordered one previously (& if you grab one before October 1st), I wrote you a personalized letter in honor of this book. <3