TASHA.Stepping out of the school building, I head towards the green den, my heart skyrocketing, my breaths deepening with each second I find myself getting closer to the massive building. I have never worked or had anything to do with the green den before, but Principal Salazar said some labourers will help me learn what to do there during the one month timeframe of my punishment. To be honest, I hate that I am being punished, but the bitter reminder of WHY I am being punished hits harder than the punishment itself.Reaching the entrance of the greenhouse, I suck in a breath, preparing myself before entering the building. Climbing twisting weeds, shrubs and varieties of flowers greet my presence when I enter. The greenhouse looks like a tall giant wide marquee with transparent glass roof planes that allow the bright light and heat of the sun seep into the greenhouse. The floor is like mowed grass, soft and tender to walk on. Different plants, most of them grown in giant white and bro

TASHA.Nate gazes back at me in shock, not saying anything, clearly stunned by my outburst. An outburst that is the obvious startling truth everyone in Westville High fucking knows about.I try to calm my nerves down by taking in a couple of quick breaths, clutching my chest. "See Nate, I am really grateful for what you did for me back there at the cafeteria today, but right now, see the mess that action has landed you into. You are here in this place with me, because of me. You got punished because of my mess, and that is something that makes me feel even more guilty right now."Nate swallows, his jaw working. "Tasha, I defended you back there because that was the right thing to do. No one has the right to hurt you. You are amazing, and that guy Jason is a fucking asshole. I am not going to apologize for what I did, especially when it prevented that bastard from hurting you." He takes in a quick breath, exhaling. "And also, I know I am kind of popular around here, but you do not have

TASHAThe soft way his lips move with that statement should definitely not be making me stare at them, but damn this stupid eyes of mine. I rip my eyes away from his mouth and stand up, trying as much as possible not to graze my skin against his bare flesh, leaving him to finish his burger. I turn around and head towards my bag.I should probably leave since we are done for today.I reach my bag and try to calm myself, but it is not working. My heart is beating so fast and hard. I gulp when Nate appears beside me, worsening my racing heart, reaching for his bag that is near mine. His arm brushes against my skin as he takes his bag, our closeness feeling too intimate and too sweet to ignore. I should shift away, but I don't want to. I can't.He brings out his folded black t-shirt. A piece of paper from his bag falls to the ground. I bend and pick up the paper.It is his Maths Test result from the Maths test we did last week in class, and a bold red F is staring right back at me. I wait

TASHAI chant the last sentence of Our Lord's Prayer in my head rapidly to prevent myself from slapping off that sly smile coating Claire's wretched face."Hey Claire." I snide back at her, masking my indignation with a fake smile. Samantha leans on the locker beside mine, her closeness to me itching my fingers with the urge to sink them into her blonde wavy hair and just drag at the strands mercilessly."So Tasha," Samantha starts, shoving me by the shoulder. "How have you been? I know you must be really going through a lot right now."Her voice carries that lackadaisical disdain coated with fake sickening sympathy that just increases the boiling point of my anger. My vexation is simmering, but I hold it in. Everyone in the hallway is staring at us right now, but they are mainly staring at me, watching me like impatient hawks, intensely waiting for me to do something. Something probably erratic like clawing someone's face again.Do I look like a fucking entertaining clown to them?I b

TASHAThe mesmerizing rays of Saturday sunset drip my bedroom window in vibrant colors of oranges and deep purples. I adjust my black lace kimono jacket over my blue bikini bra and ripped faded blue jean shorts. Grabbing my toté bag, I chunk in some spare clothes, just in case. Getting drenched at pool parties is a phenomenon that should not be ignored. I glance at the clock. 6:35pm. Nate could be here any moment from now. I just texted him earlier that I am nearly done getting ready.Dashing out of my room, I race down the stairs towards the kitchen, hearing the buzzing sound of the electric blender."Mum! I am ready!" I yell with pride as soon as I enter the kitchen. The aroma of freshly baked cookies tickles my nostrils. My mum turns off the blender and turns around to check me out."Woow baby. You look so chic!" She blurts out, eyes wide, lips curled into a smile.."Thanks mum."My eyes catch a plate of the cookies on the kitchen table. I grab one of them and stuff it into my mou