I keep my head down as I make my way up the stairs to get inside. I’ve always been good at not being noticed, but a few steps in, and my plan fails miserably.
“Celeste!” Someone shouts my name, and my stomach churns. “Wait up!” I let out a breath when I realize it’s Emerson calling after me. “Where the hell have you been?” he asks when he gets to me. I pull the door open to go inside, and he follows.
“Hanging with my mom. Some stuff came up.” I shrug, trying to pretend to be relaxed.
“And you can’t return a text?” Oh crap. I’d forgotten we talked about meeting up so I could help him start planning prom.
“I’m sorry. My phone drowned when I fell into the pool Friday night.”
“Damn. I’ve been worried. Shit’s been weird around here.” Emerson glances around like he’s looking for someone.
“Weird how?” I adjust my bag on my shoulder.
“Apollo.” He cocks an eyebrow at me.
“We’re not a thing anymore.” Again I try to play it cool.
“Then why was he trying to find you the past few days?”
“He has?” I stop walking, and I hate the hope that blooms in my chest.
“He got my number and was calling me looking for you.”
“Like I said, Apollo and I aren’t together anymore.”
“I don’t think he got that memo.”
“Trust me. He got it.” I start walking again. The only reason he’d be looking for me is to interrogate me more. I don’t understand the point; he already said what he needed to say.
“Yeah, well everyone is gossiping because Apollo didn’t go to practice yesterday either. Are you going to tell me what happened?”
We stop at my locker, and I don’t look up. Apollo might have missed practice for a doctor's appointment or something. Why does he assume it’s because of me?
“How did he look?” I ask softly, and even I want to roll my eyes. I can’t stop myself from asking.
“Not good.” Emerson leans against the locker beside me. “He looks like he hasn't slept in a month.”
I worry my bottom lip between my teeth. I only thought about him being mad. I didn’t think about him being heartbroken over me.
“We’re just too different. It will never work.” I pull some of my books out of my bag and put them into my locker so I don’t have to carry them around all day.
“Does this have something to do with his dad?”
“Not really, but he doesn't much care for me.” I close my locker. “Can we—”
“Oh shit. He’s coming down the hallway.” Emerson cuts me off, and I see his eyes are trained on something behind me.
I feel a sense of panic rising in my chest. I’m so not ready to face him yet. I know I have to at some point, but fear takes over. I’m scared of what he’s going to end up saying to me. Not that it matters at this point. There is no fixing this.
“Library for lunch?” I rush to say, and Emerson nods.
“Yeah” is all I hear him say before I dart off toward my first class like a coward.
This is harder than I thought it was going to be. A lump forms in my throat as I take my seat. I’m starting to understand why my mom loves to run.
Chapter Two
Apollo
The bell rings, and I rush down the hall, ready to meet Celeste outside her classroom. She dodged me this morning, but I’m not letting it happen again. When I get to the door, she looks up at me, and so many emotions pass in her eyes. So many that I don’t have time to process it before someone steps into my line of sight.
“Hi, Crew,” Emerson says, and I go to move around him.
“Not now,” I say through gritted teeth, but he moves again to block me. I look up and glare at him. “Move.”
“No, I don’t think so.” He smiles brightly, and I clench my fists at my side.
“This has nothing to do with you, so get out of my way.”
“You see, right now I’m going to walk my girl to class, and you’re going to let it happen.”
“Right after I talk to her.” All I want to do is remove the obstacle in front of me, but I don’t want to hurt him.
“Hmm.” He pretends to think it over and shakes his head. “No.”
“Emerson, you need to move, or I’ll make you move.”
“Don’t hit me, Crew!” he shouts, and my brows pull together in confusion. “Get your hands off me!”
I look down and confirm that I’m not touching him. The sound of teachers calling out has me turning, and then I see Principal Nolan with a stern look on her face.
“Come with me, Crew,” she says, and I realize what Emerson has done.
“You get between me and Celeste, and you’ll regret it,” I say in a low voice to him as I take a step back.