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“It’s more that she’s not really a mom. She’s more concerned with making my next movie deal than what I’m eating for dinner. I suppose you wouldn’t understand though. You probably have the perfect family.”

She frowned at my comment. “You’re right, we should probably start on the assignment.”

Her diversion had me curious though. “You don’t have the perfect family?” I asked.

“My family is fine,” she said. But her eyes were wide, and there was a hint of fear in them, like she worried I’d uncover some horrible truth.

“You’re lying,” I said.

“I’m not lying,” she ground out. “Now, what do you consider your greatest success in life?”

She was trying to get into the assignment, but I wasn’t ready to let this go. Teagan always acted so perfect at school. Her hair was always flawless, and she constantly wore that easy smile. I hadn’t failed to notice how she walked around the school like she didn’t have a problem in the world. Except when she was around me, that was. I had always been good at reading people, and I was beginning to suspect that her manner was just an act and it bothered me. What was she covering up and why?

“Liam?” she prompted when I hadn’t answered her question.

“Well, my greatest success would have to be landing the role of Beast in the Lincoln High drama production, obviously,” I replied, my voice thick with sarcasm. I was too busy thinking about what she could be hiding to temper it in.

“Teagan, why won’t you talk about your family?” I asked, my voice more sincere this time. I’d experienced firsthand what it meant to have a crappy parent, and something about her reaction made me feel like maybe this was something we shared. I’d come to terms with the fact my mother was selfish a long time ago, but the fear I’d seen in Teagan’s eyes made me wonder if perhaps she was still struggling with whatever she was dealing with. I shouldn’t care, and this wasn’t my problem, but I couldn’t seem to let it drop.

Her eyes narrowed in a scowl. “Why do you have to be such a jerk?”

“I’m a jerk because I asked about your family?”

“No, you’re a jerk because you’re making fun of our play. You know, it actually means something to the rest of us. Getting the main role in itisone of my greatest achievements.”

I swallowed down my next words, a flicker of guilt swirling in the pit of my stomach. “I wasn’t trying to be mean,” I said.

“No?” she replied. “You could have fooled me.” She began to pack her books up and shoved a piece of paper down on the coffee table between us. “You know what, here are my questions. Write out your answers, and give them back to me when you’re done. I don’t want to do this stupid interview anymore.”

“But what about my questions?”

“Do you even care what grade you get on this assignment?”

“Of course, I care.” I had a perfect A-grade average with my tutors, and I wasn’t going to let that slip now just because I was forced to go to a real high school. This might have been a PR stunt, but the assignments I turned in still mattered.

She shook her head like she didn’t believe me. “Well, for someone who supposedly cares, you do an awesome job at acting like you don’t. Just make up whatever you want about me for the assignment and I’ll do the same.”

With that, she turned and stalked out of the house, slamming the front door behind her as she left. This girl was going to drive me insane. Why did she have to be so difficult? I wanted to go after her and at least drive her home, but I doubted she’d get in the car with me.

“Study group over so soon?” Zeke asked, failing to keep the smile from his lips as he popped his head into the living room.

“Yes, it’s over,” I replied. “Would you mind going after Teagan and giving her a lift home?”

Zeke looked in the direction she’d just stormed off in. “What happened?”

“I pissed her off,” I explained, making his smile larger.

“Of course, you did.”

I hated how it didn’t surprise him that I’d managed to anger her. That he actually found it amusing that we’d gotten into another argument.

“So, will you go after her?” I asked.

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll go,” Zeke said. “What did you do to piss her off?”

“I was just my usual charming self,” I replied.

Zeke shook his head at me. “You really need to work on that.”