LOGINCLARA’S POV"A dare?" My voice sounded tiny in the quiet room. "What do you mean, a dare?"He wiped his face with his hand. "Last year at school, the day after you started working here. Charles showed me a crazy video of me from our last term party when we went to the club. He threatened to show it to my dad and release it on the internet. It was really bad, and I was so scared. Then he said he'd delete the video only if I agreed to the dare." “Okay. What was it? What did he make you do?" I asked.I noticed his withdrawal. He wanted to say it, but he didn't at the same time."Tell me!” I screamed before I could stop myself."He dared me to date you, Clara, and make you fall in love with me in front of everyone, in front of the whole school, before the end of term. But then, when I—"I froze.My head went silent, like the voices in my head died.I could see him talking. I could see his mouth move, but I didn
JAXSON’S POV"Happy Valentine's Day," she said again, her voice soft in the warm light.The words I had rehearsed for hours dissolved in my throat. I couldn't crush that smile. Not right at midnight. Not on our very first Valentine's Day."Happy Valentine's Day, Clara," I whispered, stepping closer to her bed. I sat beside her and took her hands. "Will you be my Valentine?"She covered her mouth to hold in her laugh because the whole house was asleep. "Jaxson, I’m already your girlfriend.""I know. I’m asking anyway. I want to ask the right way."Her eyes got wet again. "Yes. Yes, I’ll be your Valentine."I kissed her, and she kissed me back, once, twice, three times, little ones on my mouth and my cheek and my nose until I started laughing too.Then I made myself say it."Listen to me, Clara," I said, my tone going dead serious. "We need to talk. I have something really important to tell you. Tonight, after school and after ev
JAXSON’S POVI sat there at the small cafe table, frozen.Her hands were still warm over mine, holding tight. Tears were still wet on her cheeks, but she was smiling like she had just won everything she ever wanted."I love you," she said again, softer this time. "I’m saying it twice so you know I mean it."I was holding her hands, but I couldn’t feel them. My face was hot, my eyes were stinging, and I had no idea what to do with my mouth."Jaxson?" she whispered. "Say something. You’re scaring me.""Sorry. I’m sorry. I’m just..." My voice cracked. I tried again. "Say it one more time."She laughed and wiped her cheek on her shoulder. "I love you.""Again.""Jaxson!""Please.""I love you, I love you, I love you," she said, giggling now, and a lady at the next table turned around to smile at us.I slid out of my side of the booth and into hers. I held her face in both hands and kissed her.
JAXSON’S POVFor one second, nobody moved. Then Maya screamed so loud that a bird flew out of the tree by the gate."TOP THIRTY?""TOP THIRTY!"They grabbed each other and hopped up and down on the grass, shrieking, Clara’s phone still waving in the air. Becca covered her mouth and laughed until she was wiping her eyes. I laughed too, because Clara was glowing. My neck was hot because of everything else."Read it! Read it!" Clara shoved the phone in my face.I looked down at the bright screen, reading the official header from the school competition committee. Her name was right there near the top of the list."You did it," I said. "Clara. You actually did it.""I did it!"She threw herself at me and wrapped both arms around my neck. Then she kissed my cheek, loud and hard.Then she froze and looked up at the house windows, then slapped a hand over her mouth and giggled. "Oops. Maria."
MAYA’S POVMy brain stopped working. I stood in the doorway with my hand over my mouth, staring at Jaxson. Behind him, the whole room had gone quiet. Vera had her phone halfway out of her bag. Sloane was still standing, her face red and her jaw tight.Jaxson turned his head and looked right at me. The color drained out of his face."Maya," he said."Don’t." My voice came out cracked.He crossed the room quickly, moving far faster than anyone on crutches should, grabbed my elbow, and pulled me out into the hallway. The door swung shut behind us."Maya, listen. Please. I can explain.""Explain what?" I yanked my arm away. My hands were shaking so hard I shoved them into my jacket pockets. "That you made a bet on Clara? That you were only nice to her because of some stupid dare?""It’s not that way anymore! It was in the beginning, but not now. I swear.""What video? What does Charles have on you
Clara povMy mouth dropped open. I looked at Maya. She looked just as confused as I was. I looked at Jaxson, and he frowned and shook his head."I... I don't understand," I stammered, looking back at Maya and Jaxson, confused. "I submitted my real designs."Jaxson stepped forward on his crutches, his voice firm. "Mrs. Prudence, whatever was in that old binder doesn't matter now. She has a brand new one right here."I quickly held out the fresh black binder we'd spent the entire weekend making.Mrs. Prudence looked at it, then looked at me. She flipped through the first few pages and nodded."This is much better. I'll log this new one in." She reached over and pulled the old black binder from a shelf and handed it to me. "You can have it back. I don't need it.""Thank you," I said, taking it.She typed on her laptop for a minute. "There. I've logged your submission. You'll get a confirmation email shortly. Please check your inbox."
The word hit me like a physical blow to the chest.Filled?This couldn't be true. I needed this job. It wasn't just a job; it was the medicine in my mother's veins. It was the roof over our heads."Maria, wait," Mrs. Gabe pleaded. "I spoke to Helena this afternoon. She said—""And I am speaking t
I couldn’t speak.“She’s fading, Clara,” he continued. "Every hour we wait is an hour we don’t get back. If we delay much longer, she might not make it.”The doctor walked away to check on another patient."I’ll get the money, sir. I’ll try," I whispered as he went.My phone buzzed in my hand. I lo
Clara’s POVSterling Heights Academy – CafeteriaThe warm milk dripped down my hoodie, soaking into the thick fabric.I didn’t have to look up to know who it was.“Oops,” Sloane smirked. She held the empty milk carton like a trophy. “I thought that was the trash can. My bad, scholarship girl. You’r
He stared at me. I stared right back. Our eyes fixed on each other. The world did not end, though it felt like it should have. His mouth opened. "What the hell?" he screamed. "Adene? Is this a joke? Are you stalking me now?" "Jaxson." Maria appeared behind him, but her eyes moved straigh







