Page 50 of I Don't Need Your Protection

“The note is signed by many doctors.”

“Who are fake.”

He doesn’t confirm or deny.

“Why do I have a feeling you could get away with anything?” I mutter. If I tried to have a note excusing me from social projects, I’d get detention.

He gently takes hold of my arm and guides me out from behind the plant. “Go to lunch, Addilyn.”

“Fine.”

He walks from behind the plants lining the hallway walls, staying in the shadows, while I make my way to the dining hall. My friends are seated at our table and they wave for me to join them. I load as much food as I can onto my plate and dash to them.

“You’re never going to believe what happened,” I tell them as I sit down. “Mrs. Powell assigned us a project. We’re going to work in groups of two and start a business and sell a product, and she let us choose our partners. Guess who asked to team up with me?” I fist my hand in my mouth to hold back from squealing.

Raven squints. “How are we supposed to guess?”

“Oh my gosh, it’s Warner!” Carly says.

“How did you guess so quickly?”

Sophie turns a page in her book. “Because he’s the only one you’d lose your crap over. And I mean that in the most loving way ever.”

“That, and because the first thing he did when he walked in was look at you, Addie,” Carly says.

“What?” I search around until I find him at the popular table, slapping hands with his friends. Turning back to Carly, I ask, “Are you sure?”

“Unless my eyes are playing tricks on me.”

Sophie looks up from her book and smiles at me. “That means he’s into you. I’m so happy for you!”

“Thanks, but we’re still rushing things,” I say. “I mean, it’s just a project. It’s not like he asked me to be his girlfriend.”

“Yet,” Raven adds as she bites into her burger.

I know I’m getting way ahead of myself, but I can’t help it. “We’re getting together after school at the library. I’m so excited and nervous. I don’t know what to do with myself.”

Raven places her hand on mine. “Try breathing first.”

I laugh lightly. “Yeah, that might be a good idea.”

Carly’s eyes shine. “This is so amazing! You might have a boyfriend, Addie. And not just any boyfriend—a nice guy who’s super hot.”

“Yeah…” Raven muses. “Maybe your love life will help inspire me to finish the song I’m working on.”

“Sorry you’re struggling,” I tell her.

She waves her hand. “I’ll get over it eventually. But I mean it about the inspiration. You need to tell us everything that happens after school.”

“Of course I will.”

I’m smiling so much, my cheeks hurt. In just a few hours, it will be him and me, alone, working on the project. Just Warner Hearst and me.

Chapter Sixteen

Addie

Sophie tells me she wants to go to the library with me because she’s in desperate need of more books. I raise my brow at the stack she’s carrying in her arms, plus the ones sticking out of her backpack.