Chapter 3

Noah's eyes were ice. Words weren't gonna melt that.

And honestly? I couldn't blame him.

I never picked on him, but Henry and his crew sure did. I just stood there, watching. In his book, that made me the same as them.

You can't undo that overnight. I'd have to earn it, slow and steady.

I talked Dad into secretly covering Noah's tuition and living costs—no more scraping by on bottle money.

He used to skip lunch, just chewing on bread. I hated it, so I had the maid pack an extra meal every day.

He wouldn't touch it. Said he didn't want to owe me.

I dropped it.

This time around, I wasn't just set on saving him. I had to level up too. That was the only way to keep my family's company alive—and protect my parents.

I bugged Noah nonstop with questions I couldn't figure out. At first, he shut me out, then finally tossed his notes at me like, 'figure it out yourself.'

So I did.

When he realized I wasn't joking, he started thawing a little. Then one day he got jumped after school, and I jumped in too—caught a few punches for it.

After that, something shifted between us.

By midterms, my grades were climbing, so I treated him to dinner. The fried wings were insane. Out of habit from my old life, I picked one up and held it to his mouth.

"Whoa, she's feeding him? My teeth hurt already."

"For real. Even our class couples don't act this clingy."

Of course it had to be Henry, Danny, and Peggy walking in right then.

Henry's face went dark. He spun around. "Andrea, wow. Don't ever come crawling back to me."

This time, I didn't follow. I just smiled. "He's smart and good-looking. Liking him's only natural, right?"

Noah's grip tightened on his utensils. "Andrea, that's not a funny joke."

"It's not a joke. I can't focus when anyone else teaches me. Only you. Just help me, okay? I want to crush the SATs, get into a college in the same city—stay close to you."

Pretty much a confession.

The kids watching went wild—hooting, whistling, banging on the table.

Noah's face went fire-engine red. "I-I'll think about it."

Then he shot up and bolted.

I was hopeless. Even watching him run off had my heart racing.

Back at school, Noah's face was still red, and he could barely meet my eyes.

I didn't push. Just reminded him to eat.

First class that afternoon was PE—shockingly, the teacher actually showed.

Volleyball. I headed to the supply room for a ball.

The second I walked in, Henry slipped in behind me and slammed me against the wall, leaning in for a kiss.

Gross. I shoved him hard. "Don't touch me!"

Henry sneered. "Look at you, all tough now. Said you wouldn't crawl back, and you didn't. But hanging all over that loser? Don't tell me you actually like him."

"He's amazing. Why wouldn't I?"

"Please. You crushed on me for years. No way you flipped that fast. I know what this is—you're jealous I'm close with that scholarship girl. So you're using him to get back at me—"

I didn't hear the rest.

Because when I turned, Noah was at the door, face cold as ice.

And my heart just dropped.