The new girl found me in third period.I was sitting in the back of the classroom, half-hidden behind my textbook, when she slid into the seat beside me. She didn't ask if it was taken. She just sat down, turned to me with a smile so warm it was disarming, and said, "You're Emma, right?"I looked at her. Platinum blonde. Blue eyes. Perfect posture. The kind of beautiful that made you feel small without meaning to.I already didn't like her."Yeah," I said. "And you're Julian.""Guilty." She laughed, light and easy. "I've been wanting to meet you. Lucas mentioned you."My grip tightened on my pen."Did he?""Not in detail. Just that you were someone important." She tilted her head. "He seems settled here. Happy, almost."I didn't answer. Just kept my eyes on my textbook, pretending to read.I could feel her watching me.After a few seconds, she leaned closer."You don't like me."I glanced at her."I never said that.""You didn't have to."She smiled again, but this time there was some
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