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

“No, I wasn’t. It just pisses me off. We haven’t even done anything. I don’t understand.”
    Liam looks over at me. “This is high school, people are stupid. We’re doing the only thing either of us can think of to make them stop talking. Date. Well, pretend, but you get the picture.”
    I nod. “Yeah, I guess so.”
    “Liam and Katy,” Mr. Fringe says. “Since you have so much to talk about, why don’t you present next.”
    Great. I stand up and someone lets out a wolf whistle. My cheeks heat. “Shut it,” Mr. Fringe says, pointing toward the back of the room.
    Liam and I walk up to the podium. My hands are shaking erratically. I can’t make them stop. Liam takes my paper. “Mr. Fringe, can I read Katy’s for her. Her throat is sore.”
    “What from?” someone in the back of the room yells.
    “You better shut the fu--,”
    “Stop it,” Mr. Fringe interrupts Liam. “Next person besides Katy or Liam that says something is getting expelled. Grow up,” he says. He nods at me. God, I hope he doesn’t know what’s going on.
    My cheeks are hot. I’m looking down at the podium. I place my hand on the outside to steady myself. Liam steps next to me and places the paper over my hand, then holds my hand underneath it. I gasp. It’s the first time he has really tried to comfort me. It’s very comforting. I smile to myself.
    Liam clears his throat and adjusts his shirt. He starts to read my paper. He stops mid-way and glances over at me. “Arrogant, uses lame pickup lines and is always late.” He laughs. “Thanks, Katy,” he says. “That’s a confidence booster.”
    I shrug. “I vowed to tell the truth.”
      Liam finishes my essay and then starts his. Mr. Fringe shakes his head throughout the entire paper. Nice rack is in there at least five times. I’m really glad the podium is blocking everyone’s view of my boobs.
    “Thank you, guys, you can have a seat.” Liam lets go of my hand and I follow him back to our seats. I don’t look up; I lock my eyes onto the floor. “Melissa and Donovan,” Mr. Fringe says.
    Liam looks over at me. “My lines aren’t that lame,” he says.
    I shrug. “That’s up for debate.”
    “Hey,” he whispers. “Don’t worry about that jackass. It’s just Justin; he is a dickwad to everyone.”
    I nod, but I can’t help but to think about it. “Okay,” I whisper.
    The rest of the period goes by quickly. I’m glad we’re out of the spotlight. Liam laughs under his breath at everyone’s essays. They obviously just made up a bunch of random things.
    Mr. Fringe’s clap brings me back to the present. “Okay, everyone. Nicely done. That wasn’t so hard, now was it?”
    Everyone mumbles.
    He smirks. “Okay, so we will have our next test, this Friday. Be ready, it’s over chapter fifteen.” He turns around and writes down our homework on the board when the bell rings.
    I grab my books and step out into the aisle. Something hits my back and my books scatter along the floor. “Oops, sorry,” Justin says. I look up at him. It’s the first time I’ve glanced at him all period. His dark eyes are right on me. He has a letterman jacket on, a smirk on his face and his books in his hands. I want to cry, everyone passing by is staring at me, no one stops to help.
    He is laughing at me. Really laughing. He shakes his head, and then his books go flying toward the floor. He glances back at Liam. “Oops,” Liam says. “Better pick up your books.” Liam bends down and helps me gather my books.
    “You better watch yourself, asshole,” Justin says, kicking on of my books across the floor, before walking off.
    “You don’t have to--,”
    “Yeah, I do. You’re my girlfriend remember, gotta act the part.” It makes me think if he would help me if he wasn’t pretending to be my girlfriend. He helps me up and we walk out of class. Jen is waiting by the door.
    “Way to go, new boyfriend. I think I might need to hire me one,” she says.
    “What?” I yell