Page 64 of I Don't Need Your Protection

“You know I’m right.”

He shuts his eyes for a second. “Please return to your date.”

“He’s not my date.”

He wears no expression.

“Fine. See you back in the dorm with a full belly.” I give him a don’t-you-dare-defy-me look and turn to leave.

“Wait,” he says.

I twist around.

“Your presentation and video were really amazing. Good job.”

My eyes almost bug out of my face when I catch a small smile on his lips. A compliment and a smile? Every part of me fills with warmth. Caleb noticed my hard work. Sure, he saw me slaving away at it in my room, but he’s actually acknowledging that I did a good job.

Did he see how bothered I was when Warner didn’t seem to appreciate all that I did?

Before I have a chance to thank him, he takes his tray and returns to his table. I just gape at him, my eyes and ears not believing what just happened. And those butterflies I wanted to feel with Warner? Well, darn, are they in mega mode now.

He must feel me watching him because he lifts his eyes. We remain staring at each other for I don’t know how long, butthen he breaks his gaze and tilts his head toward Warner. Right, I kind of forgot about him.

I rejoin him at our table and listen to the rest of his story, but why does a part of me want to sit with Caleb?

Chapter Nineteen

Addie

It’s Friday evening and Raven and Carly are digging through my closet while Sophie’s sprawled on my bed with two books. She takes turns reading from both of them.

I have less than an hour to get ready for my date with Warner. If it can even count as a date. Does he see it as one? I’ve never been out with a guy before, so I have no clue.

“You have such nice clothes, it’s hard to choose the perfect one,” Carly says from somewhere in my closet.

“What does a girl wear to a football game, anyway?” Raven asks. “You want to look pretty, but not overdo it.”

“Classy but cute,” Carly says. “I think I found the perfect top. Now for jeans…”

“Does it even matter what I wear?” I ask from where I sit on the floor, leaning against my bed. “Shouldn’t he like me for me?”

Carly emerges from the closet with Raven at her heels. “Well, yeah, but you still want to look good.” She hands me the outfit. “You’ll knock him dead with this.”

I frown at the outfit. “Knock him dead?”

Raven laughs. “You’ll look so beautiful he won’t know what hit him.”

“As long as I’m comfortable, I don’t really care. Thanks.” After giving them quick hugs, I change in the bathroom and put on some makeup. Once I’m done, I turn to my friends. “How do I look?”

“Like you’ll knock him dead,” Raven tells me.

Smiling, I glance at my reflection in the full-length mirror. I do look cute. The top is soft pink and I’m wearing light blue jeans. That paired with matching pink shoes and I’m good to go. Not too fancy and not too plain. Even Sophie glances up from her books to compliment me on how amazing I look.

“Thanks. You guys are so good at this,” I tell my friends.

Carly waves her hand. “We try.” She glances at the clock on the wall. “Ooh, it’s almost time for your date. Are you meeting Warner outside?”

“Yeah. I should get going.”