CHAPTER 4

I wake up to yelling and decide it’s not a good day to go to work before school. I text Josh and ask him to tell Sophia I can’t come in because I’m sick. I know she gave me yesterday and today off, but I obviously hate being home.

I check my phone and see a text from Caiden.

Caiden: Good morning. I have football practice tonight, so if we can go anytime before 6, that would be amazing.

Me: Yeah, sure. We can go right after school if it works for you and Amelia.

Caiden: Perfect. I’ll pick you up. Address?

Me: It’s alright. I like to drive.

That was close.

I don’t want Caiden knowing where I live—just in case. I don’t want my secret getting out to anyone. Plus, Caiden and I just became friends.

He might not even be my friend.

Maybe he feels bad, or it was a dare. I wouldn’t doubt it.

With those thoughts running through my head, I sluggishly make my way over to the closet and choose a navy-blue hoodie and a pair of black skinny jeans with my Converse. I curl my hair and throw it into a little updo. My makeup is my signature, and I cover the bruises on my neck.

Once I’m ready, I sit down, feeling a little winded.

That’s never happened before. I only got dressed. Must be from yesterday.

I finish getting ready and sneak out of the house, making sure I have money—just in case things go well today.

Gym is my first class, of course, so I quickly fake a sick note from my parents since I can barely walk up the stairs without getting winded.

“Alright, Ford, work on your homework or something. I don’t care,” Mr. Gregory says before leaving me in the dust.

I try to hop onto the bleachers but don’t get very far.

“What are you doing, Alexandra?" I hear from behind me and turn to see Amelia.

“Oh, hey, Amelia. I didn’t know you were in this class,” I say, playing with my ring.

“I just got switched in. Are you alright? You look really pale,” she says, feeling my forehead.

“Oh yeah, I’m fine. Just sick,” I say, getting a little lightheaded. “I just need to sit down…” I stumble, and Amelia quickly grabs my arm, calling for her brother.

“What happened? "Caiden says, hurrying over and sitting me down on the bleachers.

“I don’t know. I told her she didn’t look good, and then she started stumbling like she was going to pass out,” Amelia says nervously.

“I’m fine, guys. I just got a little lightheaded,” I say, unsure, hoping Caiden doesn’t make me go to the nurse.

“Stay here,” Caiden says, jogging over to Mr. Gregory. I see them talking, and then Caiden runs into the locker room. Soon, he walks out with a rag.

He gets stopped by someone from the football team, exchanges a few words, then rushes back to me.

“Okay, Amelia, I’ve got it from here. Thanks. Come on, Alexandra,” he says, picking me up bridal-style and placing the rag on my forehead. His hand lightly brushes my bruise, and I wince.

“Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself when you fell? "Caiden asks, concerned.

I shake my head. “Something like that,” I mumble, hoping he didn’t hear.

“I can walk,” I say, feeling uncomfortable.

“Alexandra,” Caiden starts, but I cut him off.

“Caiden, please,” I say, and he gives in, setting me on my feet. I remove the rag, and we walk to the nurse’s office.

I hate this place.

“I need water,” I say a few minutes after Caiden helps me sit down. I’m out of breath from walking two flights of stairs and crossing the school. The gym and the nurse’s office are on opposite sides.

“Are you alright? "Caiden asks, noticing I’m out of breath.

“Yeah, just really out of shape,” I giggle, ignoring the sharp pain.

“I can help with that,” Caiden says, winking, and a little blush creeps up my face. What? I can’t help it—he’s hot.

“Hi, Aunt Carmina,” Caiden says as we enter the nurse's office. I never put two and two together.

“Hi, Caiden. What did you do now? Don’t tell me you got into another fight. Did you hurt this girl? Caiden—” she starts, and I giggle.

“No, Aunt Carmina. This is my friend, Alexandra. She’s sick and almost passed out in the gym. Mr. Gregory told me to bring her here,” Caiden says.

Mrs. Sterling stands, feels my forehead, and tells Caiden to go back to class. He sits down instead, so she rolls her eyes and tells me to go into the private room.

“Okay, so what seems to be the problem? "she asks.

I lie. “I fell and bruised my side. Also, I’m just feeling sick.”

“Alright, let me take a look,” she says. I stiffen.

“Um, it’s okay. I feel better now. I think I’ll just go back to class,” I say, but she gives me a stern look. I cave.

Mrs. Sterling gently lifts my shirt and grimaces at the big black-and-blue bruise covering most of my side.

“Yup. That’ll do it. You might have a couple of broken ribs with a bruise this big. We’ll put some ice on that. Caiden! Get me some ice! "She says, turning around for an Ace bandage.

Caiden returns with a bag of ice, his eyes widening when he sees the bruise. I mentally slap myself—there will be questions later.

“Out,” is all Mrs. Sterling says, and Caiden slowly backs out.

“We’ll wrap the ice in a paper towel and secure it with this bandage,” she says. “Come back at lunch so I can rewrap it. Caiden’s still outside; he’ll walk you to class. I’ll have him give you one of your sweatshirts—you’ll be cold with the ice and AC.”

I thank her. Caiden hands me a sweatshirt at his locker, and I put it on.

He turns to me and says three words:

“What the fuck? ”

“I walked into the corner of my island yesterday,” I say.

“Bullshit,” he replies, grabbing my hand and dragging me to his car.

“That’s why you winced when I touched your side. You’re out of breath so easily, and you nearly passed out,” Caiden says, sitting on the trunk.

I nod. “It’s not a big deal, Caiden. We’re still on for tonight.”

He hands me a bottle of water. “Drink this. Carmina said you’re dehydrated.”

I quickly chug it, ignoring the pain.

“Let’s go to class,” he says, and we walk slowly so I don’t get out of breath.

“Can I ask you something? "I say. Caiden leans against the wall and looks at me.

“Is this whole friendship thing a dare? ”

I want to know why Caiden Sterling, the football star every girl falls for, is talking to me.

“Not at all,” he says. “I know I’m known as a jock, but I’m not like the others. They only care about popularity. Me? I care about my sport. When we bumped into each other and I talked to you, I realized how kind you are. You’re the kind of person my mom told me to be around. I want to be your friend—for you.”

My jaw drops.

“Oh. Well, in that case, Mr. Sterling, I guess we’re friends now,” I say, smiling as we walk to class.

Class goes by like usual, and soon it’s lunch.

Caiden is waiting outside my class as I try to sneak past him.

“Not so fast, Ford,” he says, grabbing my arm. Amelia walks up.

“Hey, guys. Alexandra, are you okay? "she asks.

“Yup. I’m going to be perfectly fine,” I lie.

I might be dead a week from now, but it’s not like anyone would care.

“I’ll meet you at the table, Amelia. I’m taking Alexandra to Aunt Carmina to get checked again,” Caiden says, and Amelia nods.

Mrs. Sterling changes my bandage and gives me more ice. Then we head to lunch.

“I told Victoria I’d sit with her today,” I tell Caiden, who nods and points.

Victoria’s already talking with Amelia—they’re both cheerleaders and co-captains.

“You’re not getting away from me that easily,” Caiden jokes, slinging an arm around my shoulders.

“Damn it. I guess not,” I laugh, and we sit.

“Oh, did someone forget to throw out their trash? ”Lenard," he snarks as soon as I sit.

“Yeah, I thought I smelled something. Oh wait—it’s you,” Victoria snaps back. Everyone oohs.

“Hey, Alexandra,” Victoria greets me. I smile back. I’m between Amelia and Caiden, his arm still around me.

“I’m getting food. Want anything, Alex? "Caiden asks. I shake my head.

“I’m getting you something anyway,” he says, standing.

“So, are you Caiden’s fuck-and-dump? "A guy asks," Lenard says, and fist bumps him.

“She’s our friend, dick,” Amelia fires back.

I quickly stand, lightheaded, and rush out of the cafeteria—ignoring the pain and the sound of my name being called.

I end up in the last place I thought I’d go—Mrs. Sterling’s office.

“Alexandra? What’s wrong? "She asks as I rush in.

“Can I stay here until school ends? I don’t feel good,” I say without thinking.

“Of course. I’ll email your teachers. Want me to tell Caiden? ”

I shake my head.

“Go lie down, sweetie. I’ll get you some water.”

Soon, I’m surrounded by darkness.