Page 144 of Save You

I put a hand on his shoulder and give it a quick squeeze.“Good.”

One corner of his mouth twitches up slightly.It’s such a minimal movement that probably no one else would even have noticed it.

“But first, I need a plan.”

12

Ruby

“D’you think Beaufort’s been crying?”is the first thing I hear upon walking into the library study center on Wednesday afternoon.The events committee meeting isn’t for another half hour, so I’d been planning to use the time to borrow a book that’s been on my Oxford reading list for months.

But I regret the decision the minute I hear the loud giggling.

“He’s welcome to cry his eyes out on my shoulder any time he likes.”

I stand on tiptoes to peek through the books on the bookshelf.I can see two girls sitting side by side at a desk, their heads together over a book.They’re plainly not working though.They aren’t even bothering to keep quiet.

“Apparently he’s not averse to offers of consolation.”The first girl gives a suggestive grin.

“He must be even richer after his mum died, and that makes him even hotter.”The other sighs.“Maybe I’ll give it a go.”

Fury bubbles up inside me.One, we’re in the library; and two,they have no right to speak that disrespectfully about James; but on top of that, I can’t go anywhere in this school without hearing his name, and that’s doing my head in.

On my way here, I passed three groups of kids who were chatting about him, and it’s been like that all week.

It’s not like there isn’t any other gossip they could be getting their teeth into—Alistair was caught in the boys’ loos, kissing some bloke who doesn’t even go to this school.And Jessalyn is now seeing the boy who—allegedly—fell asleep in the middle of doing the deed their first time.I still don’t know whether to believe that part, especially considering the beaming smile plastered across her face the whole time these days.There’s also a rumor that after their mum’s death, Lydia fell into Cyril’s arms and they’re now more than just good friends.I really doubt that one, though, and she has more important stuff on her mind anyway.On the other hand, after I heard the story, I glanced over at Cyril in maths, and he was looking so smug that for a brief moment, I wasn’t surewhatto believe.

But despite all that, everyone always wants to talk about James.Always and everywhere.

Did you see those photos of James Beaufort?

I felt so sorry for him.

Is he really going out with that Ruby?

It makes my throat dry out and my heart start thumping every single time.How am I ever meant to forget him when he’s the number one topic of conversation and I can’t even get away from that in the library?

Abruptly, I pull the book off the shelf and walk around into the study area.The girls jump as they realize that they’re notalone.As I march toward them, I wonder whether to say anything, but I don’t have the energy.I glare scornfully at them and walk past, in the direction of our group room.

As I get there, I shoot through the door as fast as I can, then lean my back against it.I shut my eyes, rest my head against the door, and try just to take a few deep breaths for a moment.

“Hey.”

My eyes fly open.

James is sitting on the other side of the room.On the same chair he always sat on last term, when Mr.Lexington made him join the events committee as a punishment.

He looks different.There are dark rings under his eyes and there’s a hint of a shadow on his jaw to show that he hasn’t shaved.His hair is even messier than normal, probably because it’s grown.

I wonder if I look different to him too.

Seconds pass and neither of us moves.I don’t know how to act in his presence.I’ve been blanking him in corridors between lessons, but now we’re the only people in this room.

“What are you doing here?”

My voice is hoarse.But the last thing I want to do is give him the idea that he still has an effect on me.No, he needs to think I’m totally unfazed by being around him.

“Reading.”He holds up a book—wait, it’s a manga.I read the title with a frown, even though I’ve already recognized the picture on the cover.