Page 47 of Theodore

Other schools?

Jax did a double take when he saw my face. "What?"

"Kyle will be there," I stammered as he stared at me blankly.

"Kyle?"

"My ex."

Nausea swept over me, and I wondered if I could feign a sudden illness and get off the bus.

There is no way I can see him.

"Was it messy?" Jax asked. He looked as worried as I did, which made me laugh nervously.

"He cheated on me."

"Ouch. Yet, he did you a favor. Am I right?!" he winked.

I shrugged with a smile on my face.

"Yeah, I guess he did. Jax, why are you sitting with me?"

He looked like a rabbit in headlights, hesitating before he answered.

"I'm just looking out for my besties girl."

Leaning back in his seat, he closed his eyes.

I pulled my phone out of my bag, plugging my headphones in. The rest of the journey dragged as I played Panic at The Disco on full blast, avoiding conversation with anyone as I feigned sleep.

The bus rumbled to a stop, and I nudged Jax, who had fallen asleep on my shoulder.

"God, I'm starving," Jax mumbled as he sat up, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

We all filed off the bus, and I slung my bag over my shoulder while waiting for my little cabin case. I slid my sunglasses on as I studied the envelope.

"Amethyst House. Room three-oh-one," I read as an arm linked with mine.

I looked up to see a pretty girl from my English class grinning at me. I tried to place her name, but I struggled as she nodded at my envelope.

"I'm in Amethyst. I thought we could find it together."

Sara? Lara?

"Sorry, I've forgotten your name..." I winced.

"Mara," she said with a warm smile.

Her chocolate brown hair was in a ponytail, her tanned skin showing off cute freckles. Her bright green eyes sparkled as she spoke.

"Andyou'reHannah De Luca."

I laughed as I shook my head. "Not quite."

"Well, as good as." Mara scoffed as I saw my case on the sidewalk. "Where is he anyway?"

"Uh, he's not well," I lied.