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I nod, perching my head on my hand. “He’s not even in here because he has lunch detention. You can’t be with a guy like that.”

“I already told you, it’s an act. He isn’t really like that.”

How is she so oblivious? I need a way to rip off her rose-colored glasses, and fast. “He even left class a half-hour early. He’s rude and irresponsible, and I’m stuck with him as my lab partner.”

Her eyes land on me. I have her full attention now. “He’s your lab partner?”

I nod. “Unfortunately.”

“I would trade you in a heartbeat.”

“Look around,” I say, gesturing to the rest of the cafeteria. “Anyone else here would be a better option than Daniel. If you want to fall in love so badly, I’ll introduce you to anybody else you want.”

She squints, trying to read me. “That’s oddly suspicious.”

“No, it isn’t.”

“You always look for the best in people. I’m the cynical one, not you.” She leans in and whispers. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say maybe you like him too.”

My jaw falls to the floor. “Absolutely not. I can guarantee that thought has never crossed my mind.”

She sits back. “Good.”

“Good?”

“If you liked him, I wouldn’t have a chance.”

I hate that she thinks so low of herself. “That’s not true. You’re smart and beautiful. Anyone could see that, if you gave them a chance and opened up.”

She raises an eyebrow. “Anyone?”

I cross my arms. “AnyonebutDaniel.”

“Good thing I’m older than you, so I don’t have to listen to you.”

I roll my eyes. “A whole two minutes.”

She shrugs. “I don’t make the rules.”

“Fine. Go find your prince charming and see for yourself what kind of person he is. I’m telling you, you’ll be disappointed.”

She picks up her book. “I’m going to wait and let things happen naturally.”

This is why she never makes friends. Even when she likes a person, she never makes the first move to engage with them. She’s not the type of person to go up to someone and talk by choice.

“What if you waste all your time waiting for Daniel, and it isn’t worth it? Let me introduce you to someone else.” I’m practically begging at this point.

She continues reading with a laugh. “I’m only seventeen. It’s not like this is time sensitive. I have my whole life ahead of me, and I’ll fall in love when the time is right. Maybe it’ll be Daniel. Maybe it won’t.”

I’m itching to tell her the truth. Yes, this is time sensitive. I can’t die peacefully knowing that she has bad taste in men. If not Daniel, who next?

Daniel is bad news. If she won’t take my word for it, I’ll make sure he shows her himself.

And the sooner I do that, the better.

Cameryn slides into the seat next to me. “Hey, guys,” she says. Next to her is Micah. He gingerly sits down next to Annie with his tray of food, like he isn’t sure if he should sit or not.

Cameryn smiles at me. “Mission accomplished,” she whispers.