Page 138 of I Don't Need Your Romance

“They are so not!”

As they argue back and forth, my stomach bottoms out. Because another new guy rushes inside, calling after the other guys to wait up. The color drains from my face when I take in his familiar light brown hair, tall build, and striking green eyes.

“Oh no,” I whisper as I snap my head away and stare forward at the stage. What the heck is he doing here?

“They’re sitting in the back,” Carly observes. “It’s like they’re not sure if they want to meddle with the other students.”

“Whoarethey, though?” Addie asks.

“Gosh, no,” I beg as I squeeze my eyes shut. “This can’t be happening. Please let this be a nightmare. Wake up, Raven.Wake up.”

“Raven?” Addie rests her hand on my arm. “You okay?”

“Whoa, you’re pale,” Sophie says. “Like you saw a ghost.”

“You good?” Caleb asks.

I chance a glance at the last row and quickly yank my gaze away. It’s not a nightmare. It’s real. He really is sitting there dressed in my high school uniform.

Curious, Addie’s eyes move to the last row. “Raven, do you know any of those guys?”

With my eyes squeezed shut, I nod.

“Which one?” Damian asks.

“The one with the light brown hair.”

“How do you know him?” Carly inquires.

I open my eyes and say, “He’s…he’s…”

They all appear extremely confused, and then Sophie gasps. “Oh my gosh! Are you saying that’s—”

“Camp Lover Boy?” Addie nearly yells.

Unable to talk and wishing I could teleport out of here, I nod.

“Wait, who?” Carly stretches her neck. “The one with the light brown hair? Ooh, he’s cute.”

“This is so not happening.” I rub my hands down my face. “Guys, I think I’m going to puke.”

“Settle down, settle down,” Principal Harrington says as she walks on to the stage and reaches for the mic. “Settle down. Good morning, students of Harrington Bay Academy. I hope you’re all having a beautiful morning. I called you here today to inform you of some good news. We are having new students join us.”

She gestures to the boys in the back. Every single student in the auditorium turns around to look at them. Everyone but me. There’s no way I can risk him seeing me.

“They attended Everheart Academy for Boys, but unfortunately their school was shut down due to a fire. I’m sad to say the building was completely destroyed. Harrington Bay Academy has graciously decided to take several of them in. I hope you all make them feel welcome here. And boys?” she addresses the new students. “Welcome to Harrington Bay Academy!”

Some kids cheer, though mostly everyone just stares at the boys with curious expressions. Some of the girls seem excited about fresh male meat.

“Now back to class!” the principal calls. “Anyone who’s late will get detention. Go on.”

I remain planted in my seat as everyone else starts to leave. There’s no way I’m risking bumping into him. Does he even know I go here? Would he remember the name of my school? Hopefully I mattered so little to him that the information slipped his mind. I need to bank on that if I’m going to spend the next year and a half avoiding him.

“Raven?” Sophie asks. My friends are already in the aisle and are heading to the exit of the auditorium.

“I’ll catch up with you later,” I tell them.

They seem curious and concerned, but they shrug and follow the rest of the students to the exit.

I sneak a peek at the new boys and see that they are still sitting in the last row. Geez, what are they waiting for? Don’t they know to be pushy and cut in line like everyone else?

Oh, gosh. Did I make a mistake by waiting to be the last to leave? What if I do run into him?

I heave a sigh of relief when they finally get up and walk out. Then I race into first period with my head lowered and my eyes basically glued to the floor.

I don’t know how I’m going to avoid the guy, but Iwill. Because there’s no way in heck I’m allowing myself to run into him ever in my lifetime.