LOGINJAXSON’S POV
For 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 tJAXSON’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."
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
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
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







