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He held his hand out.

"Give me your phone."

Again, it was like a command, but this time I tried to resist.

"What for?" I demanded hotly.

He groaned with exasperation as he spoke slowly, as though he was addressing a child. "Gretchen, can I have your phone so I can put my number in? I can text you my address, unless you want to type it in yourself— either way I don’t care. I’ve got stuff to do till seven, can you come after that?"

I handed him my phone, regretting it instantly when he saw my screensaver. My cheeks burned when I realized it was of me and Luke. He lifted his eyebrows as he exhaled slowly, typing away. I watched his fingers touch my screen, and for once I was envious of a piece of technology.

"Done," he muttered with annoyance, tossing my phone at me.

I caught it as he lifted himself out of his seat with ease, the muscles on his arms showing through his t-shirt. He caught me staring for the second time that day, I realized, my cheeks burning when he chuckled to himself, making me wonder what the hell he found so damn amusing.

"Babe, why are you still in here..."

Luke walked back into the classroom, his voice trailing off when his eyes landed on the two of us.

"Sup, Cal? I see you got my girl as your partner, make sure you get any secrets out of her, won’t you?"

He snorted, and I cringed when he laced his fingers through mine. Cal looked at Luke in mock excitement.

"Oh, I’msureshe is a deep ocean of secrets."

My face flushed with embarrassment as he left the room, his scent lingering in the air. He was annoyingly attractive, yet obnoxious. I turned to Luke, who was staring after him too, for reasons I didn’t wish to know.

"Sorry you got him. Want me to have a word with Mr. Gane? Maybe we can convince him to give you someone semi human," he muttered as his arms circled me. I breathed in his scent, nothing like Cal’s but somewhat still safe and comforting.

"It’s okay, I think I can handle him," I murmured as he stroked my hair affectionately. I had a boyfriend, and this was strictly schoolwork.

So why is my stomach in knots?

Chapter Five

GRETCHEN

Time was dragging. Not that I was watching it like a hawk.

Every time I looked at the clock it had hardly moved, somehow remaining at ten minutes to seven for about an hour.

I scrutinised myself in the mirror, happy with my choice of a loose hoodie and joggers. I checked Cal’s address again on my phone, unable to believe he lived literally one block away from me. That explained how I saw him on my way to school most days.

I kept going back to my inbox, just to see the name‘Cal’and the message with his address on. It led to me dreaming up all kinds of messages.

I gave myself a shake, deciding to just leave already. I was early, but I could walk slowly. I yelled to my Mom that I was off to do homework with a friend and that I wouldn’t be late.

I left the house and strolled to Cal’s. His house was almost a carbon copy of mine, except it was a corner lot, meaning it was larger. I strode to the door and inhaled a deep breath before knocking.

I recognised his mother, Alice, as she answered the door with a warm smile.

“Hi, Gretchen, is Luke with you?” she peered behind me, looking confused.

“Ah, hey, Mrs Fallon. No, it’s just me. Cal and I are psychology partners....”

I shuffle on my feet, aware that my face was now beet red.

She nodded, stepping back for me to go inside.