LOGINClara pov
My 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 theMAYA’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."
JAXSON'S POV I kissed her slowly at first. Then she pulled me closer, and I forgot how to be slow. Her hands were in my hair, and my hands were on her waist. The bed creaked under us, and we both froze, laughing quietly against each other's mouths. "Shh," Clara whispered. "Someone could hear us." "Nobody's listening," I whispered. "Maria could be." "Maria is busy with Gabriel." "Jaxson!" "I'm just saying." I pulled back a little and looked at her. Her eyes were bright, and her cheeks were pink. "Hey. Are you sure about this?" She nodded right away. "I'm sure." "Because if you're tired, or stressed, or you want to wait..." "Jaxson." She put her hand on my cheek. "I want to. I've wanted to all weekend." I kissed her again, and she reached over and turned off the lamp. I pulled her closer against m
MAYA'S POV About an hour later, I floated back up the stairs, feeling totally warm and happy after the incredible sex with Becca. I couldn't even wipe the huge smile off my face. I turned the brass handle as quietly as I could and pushed the door open. The room wasn't dark anymore. The bedside lamp was on, throwing dim yellow light across the bed. Clara was sitting up straight against the pillows, staring right at the door. Her face was pale, and she looked scared as hell. I froze right in the doorway. My smile vanished instantly. "Maya?" she said. Her voice was shaking. "Where were you?" "Clara? Why are you awake?" "Why am I awake?" She threw the blanket off her legs. "I've been up for an hour. I woke up, and you weren't here! I checked the bathroom, I checked the hallway, I called your phone. Where did you go?" "Shh. Calm down and keep your voice low
JAXSON'S POV "What is all this?" my mother asked, stepping into the library. Her eyes moved over the mannequins, the paints, and the fabric swatches spread across the long table. She was still in her silk robe, her hair perfectly done even though it was barely nine in the morning. I stood up slowly, keeping most of my weight off my injured left knee. "Good morning, Mom." She ignored me completely, “Why is the library turned into an art studio?" She turned to Maya. "And you, why are you still here? Aren't you done with your delivery?” "We're working on a school project," I said quickly "On a Saturday?" She asked, turning back to me. "Yeah. It's due Monday. I talked to Dad about it already. Maya is sleeping over so we can finish it this weekend." "Your father didn't mention it." She said firmly "He
JAXSON'S POVClara didn't move. She stood in front of the glass board with her phone still in her hand, her eyes going up and down the list again, slower this time.Her lips were pressed together so tightly they had turned pale. A tear sat at the edge of her eye, and she blinked fast to keep it from falling."What's wrong?" Maya asked, stepping closer and looking at the board. "Is your name further down?""It's not there at all," Clara whispered, her voice trembling.I looked over her shoulder, reading the list again. "Did you actually submit it?" I asked, confused."Yes!" Clara said, her eyes welling up with tears. "I handed it to the student assistant on Monday morning just before first period.""I was right there with her," Maya added, her voice rising. "She gave the black binder directly to the girl at the desk.""We need to go talk to Mrs. Prudence right now," I said.We walked back down the hall and pushed open the d
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
I stared at the screen until the light burned my eyes. Removed from the W******p group. Then from the squad. What for? What was my offense? My phone rang out. Maya was calling. I picked up. "Clara? Are you seeing this?" Maya’s voice was frantic. "I just saw the notification. I tried to message
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







