A Whole New Crowd (A Whole New Crowd 1)

I took my usual seat in the back, then realized my table mate wanted to talk. She kept ducking her head down, glancing up, and would duck her head into a book again. When she repeated the process three times, I looked over at her.

She gave me a tentative smile.

Oh hell. “I’m Taryn.”

A squeal escaped her mouth as she extended her hand. “Molly Keeley. I’m your—”

“Classmate. I know that.”

“Yeah, and I’m in your health and gym class.”

Wait. “I’m in health?”

“You skip for study hall.”

“I thought I had study hall.”

“You should probably tell your teacher that.”

“Oh.” I sat back. “Thanks.”

“No problem. We’re playing volleyball next week in gym too. That should be fun.”

“You play volleyball?”

“Only with my family. I can’t wear contacts so I have to wear those goggle things in class.” Her cheeks flushed again. “It’s embarrassing. They look like microscopes, but my mom won’t let me get new ones. They’re not ‘cost-effective.’” She ducked her head again. “That’s what my mom says.”

“Keep your glasses.” The teacher stood up, and I leaned down in my chair. “You won’t give a shit in two years. They’ll help you find your soul mate in college anyway.”

She laughed, her voice squeaky. “You’re not like the rumors say.”

“That I’m a stone cold bitch.”

“Yeah and that you screwed Tray Evans.”

“Where?”

She listed them off with her fingers. “In the school parking lot, in the parking lot at the diner, at one of his parties, at Rickets’ House, and in his car.”

“I’ve been busy.”

She giggled and then squeaked before turning away. Her face got red. I looked over and saw Tray staring back. He had knelt beside me.

“What?” I gestured to the teacher. “He’s going to start class.”

“We have two days.”

“For what?” I wasn’t an idiot. I knew. I was just playing.

He wasn’t amused. “Will you please help?”

“I told you I would, but you didn’t spill the details. I had to hold my sister when she sobbed and asked questions. I couldn’t answer any of them.” He had helped me yesterday. Then Jace told me to stay away from him. I was getting whiplash from being pulled in so many directions. I sighed. “Let me think about it.”

He hadn’t gotten the answer he wanted. His lips pressed together, but he stood. “Saw Jace Lanser leaving town last night. Stopped at the diner for a burger.”

“Yeah. So?”

He backed off, taking his own seat across the room, but it didn’t matter. The entire class was listening. “Nothing. The guy’s a loser.”