The One For Me by Layla James Read Free Book Online Page A

the classroom.
    When I look up Liam is staring at me, grey eyes wide an eyebrow rose. “So, what’s the damage?” He leans on the desk, staring down at me.
    I sigh and run my fingers through my hair. “Don’t worry abou t it,” I stand up. “Let’s just go to class, get this over with .”
    Liam walks around the desk and grabs my elbow. His fingers wrap around my arm and slide down to my wrist. I’m oddly aware of how calloused and warm his hand is on me. “Hey,” he whispers, his voice is low, it’s the lowest and most serious I’ve ever heard it. “You really okay? What exactly happene d? Do I need to whoop some ass? I’m kind of a badass around here, ya know?”
    I smile. “He…” don’t you dare cry; I push the tears back down, “he threw a paper wad at my head. Then he said that he was ashamed of the last year of his life in front of the class ,” I say.
    Liam groans and rolls his eyes. “He is stupid, Katy. He wants you to feel like this. You shouldn’t. You have enough to worry about; don’t let him knock you down.”
    “I know…” I say, drifting off into silence. I know  but I can’t seem to make myself ignore him.
    Liam finally let’s go of my arm. He jabs his finger toward the door. “Hey, let’s go to class, okay ? ” he asks.
    I nod. “Yeah, let’s go.”
    When we get to Science, Jen is sitting with her new partner Samantha. She gives me an are you okay look. No I want to shout, but I nod instead.
    Liam and I sit down. I sling my backpack over the table and pull out my things. I hear whispers from behind me, but I ignore them. I open my folder and pull out my essay. I feel something kick the back of my lab stool. I turn my ear to the left and try to hear what their saying.
    “They are doing it. I never knew she was such a whore,” I hear. My body goes cold . I turn my head back and try to ignore them but it sounds like their suddenly talking louder than ever.
    “I know right. I knew she probably gave it up to Hayden, but now she is going around throwing herself at everybody.”
    The tears are threatening to come down but I push them back. I watch the back of Jen’s head as she bobs it back and forth, talking to Samantha. I wish I was sitting in Samantha’s seat, anything to get away from the two girls behind me. I close my eyes and pray that Liam isn’t hearing this. My face it hot. I can barely hear anything, my ears seem stopped up. Please, don’t let him hear this.
    “Hey,” I hear Liam say. Shit, he heard it, too.
    I look over at him; he is turned toward the two girls sitting behind us . His eyebrows are furrowed and his hands tightened into fists. I reach over to touch his hand but he snatches it up, pointing at the two girls. “Remember last year when you both tried to get me to fuck you? Huh? Didn’t want to be virgins anymore? What’s wrong, don’t want everybody knowing that, now do we?” He laughs, it’s bitter. “So, shut the hell up before I tell everyone just how slutty you both are.” He huffs.
    They go silent. It’s the best silence I’ve ever heard. Liam sighs and opens his red folder. I suddenly don’t care he is going to tell everyone that he likes my rack. I want to say something but my mouth is dry and hanging open. I want to tell him thank you, but I keep my head down . I can’t believe he just said that.
    “Now,” Mr. Fringe says, walking toward his desk. “I pray to the good God above you delinquent of students done your work. I really hate giving zeros. It depresses me.” He runs his fingers through his hair. “Brett? Kathy? ” He looks back at the table. They both get up and move toward the podium. “Call the press!” Mr. Fringe yells.
    Brett and Kat h y both start in on their essays. I zone out on the first paragraph. “Thanks,” I say, leaning toward Liam. “You didn’t have to do that, ya know. I can handle it.”
    Liam snorts. “You looked like you were about to cry.”
    I shrug and pick at the edge of my notebook.