Page 44 of I Don't Need Your Romance

Deciding to ignore that comment, Raven says, “Just be careful, okay?”

“Thanks. I guess I’ll go now.”

“Good luck again!” Addie wishes.

Giving her a grateful nod, I take a deep breath, let it seep out of my nose, and spin around to face the table where Harold sits. He’s browsing on his phone while eating his gourmet egg dish.

Before I can talk myself out of it, I lift my head as confidently as I can and march over to him. The good thing about being basically invisible at this school is that no one pays attention to me as I pass them. But the problem with being invisible is that Harold doesn’t realize when I stand before him, balancing my tray and hoping he’ll lift his head to me.

I’m not sure how much time passes, but he’s too engrossed in his phone. I look back at my friends and realize they are still in the same position I left them—standing near the buffet tables and not at all close to our usual table, where Caleb and Ryder are already seated and waiting. They seem confused why the three of them aren’t joining them and why I’m standing next to the rich guy.

Addie offers me another encouraging smile and motions for me to go ahead and do it. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. Maybe because I don’t really know how to talk to guys? I can’t say what a rejection from this guy could do to my self-esteem, even if he turns out to be a jerk.

I clear my throat, but he doesn’t lift his head or even acknowledge me. Is he so lost in the video he’s watching that he’svanished from his surroundings? I mean, I know what that’s like because it happens every time I’m reading a riveting story.

“Hey, Harold,” I croak.

His head finally springs up. When he takes me in, a look of confusion crawls onto his face. “Uh…hey.”

“Do you mind if I sit here?”

He looks even more confused as his eyes flit to the door, as though wondering when his friends will arrive. “Er, sure.”

“Cool. Thanks.”

I lower my tray on the table and then slide into the chair next to him. He glances at his phone for a second like he wants to continue playing his video but isn’t sure if he’s supposed to because I’m sitting right next to him.

Glancing back at my friends, I learn that they have joined the guys at our table and are watching me and Harold as though we’re a reality show.

I tear my gaze away from them. “Are those eggs any good?” I ask him.

He shrugs as he plays around with it. “My family’s chef prepares better food than the inept people at this place. My parents have complained so many times, but they don’t seem to give a crap.”

“You think the food sucks?” I ask incredulously. “My friends and I think it’s the best food we’ve ever had. Well, except for the Chinese they ordered from a local restaurant. Now that was delicious.”

He shrugs as he takes a bite of his eggs and makes a face.

We sit in silence.

“Do you like to read?”

He makes a face before scoffing. “Do I like to read? That’s like asking me if I like traffic. No, I don’t like to read. Who does? I only do it when I have to.”

It feels like he just rammed the sharpest knife through my chest. I don’t mean to do it, but the largest gasp I’ve ever heard escapes my lips. One full of horror.

He gives me a face like I lost my mind.

“Sorry,” I say with a nervous laugh. “I was just shocked to hear you say that. I love to read.”

“Obviously. I always see you with a book in your hand.”

“You’ve noticed me?”

“Well, I have eyes, don’t I?”

“Everyone at this school has eyes, but they don’t know I exist.”

He squints at me. “Why do you think that is?”