Page 4 of Whisper Pretty Lies (Lust & Liars #1)

EvanAnn

Mia and I share first period, but when I head into second period alone, I don’t see Chase.

Biting my lip, I try to decide where to sit.

He likes to sit in the back row, so he can talk and fuck around with his friends during class.

I’d rather sit up front where there are fewer distractions and it’s easier to learn.

Besides lunch, this is our only class together outside of our senior theater class. He has acting blocks while I have directorial blocks in the afternoon. It won’t kill me to sit in the back for him. It’s only this one class.

I take a seat one row from the back so Chase can sit behind me. Maybe then I’ll be able to pay attention to the teacher.

Light chatter surrounds me as students fill the seats. I pull out my phone and check to make sure Mom hasn’t texted me. She’s seeing a new guy. Has been for a few months.

I text her to remind her about our lease. Our lease is almost up on our house, and I’m not sure if she finally signed the new one. It’s been nice to have a house instead of an apartment, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she wants to move again. I hope we don’t.

I’m worried she’ll forget to do it because of the guy she’s seeing. It’s almost about the time when she usually blows up the relationship and wants to spend all her time with me until she gets a new man. It’s a pattern that has repeated since my father died eight years ago.

What she had with my dad was something special.

I don’t blame her for looking for him in every guy she meets and finding them all lacking.

Though it feels like she dates to have someone, rather than to find something special again.

I’ll admit Chase isn’t quite the man my father was, but the potential might be there. Maybe?

I don’t think Chase and I will last. We’re young. It’s not like we’re getting married. We haven’t even had sex yet, just made out a little. He’s being patient with me and I like that about him.

“Daydreaming, EvanAnn?”

My gaze shoots up to Hawk’s green eyes. Smirking, he walks past me to sit at the desk behind me. He can’t sit there. I turn around in my chair to face him.

“I’m saving that seat.”

He leans back with his hands behind his head.

His black hair is the length I loved when Chase’s was that short last year.

My hands tingle wanting to run them over it, but I would never.

Not that Hawk would let me. Hawk is the definition of gorgeous.

Add to that his out of this world body, plus his golden boy status—and he’s perfect. He can do no wrong in anyone’s eyes.

Except take my boyfriend’s seat.

I raise my eyebrow when he doesn’t move.

“I didn’t know we could save seats, Annie.” He leans forward, invading my space.

Okay, technically it’s his space since I’m talking over his desk.

My jaw tenses at the name, but one battle at a time. His gaze travels down to where my shirt gapes slightly. I loosened my tie and undid a button because it was too hot in my last class.

He wets his lips and meets my eyes. “Maybe I saved that seat.”

I straighten so my shirt sits flush against my skin and redo the button. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Exactly.” He smiles like he has me backed into a corner. “You can’t save a seat, so this one is mine.”

What the hell is going on? I’m arguing with Hawk about a desk when there are so many more to choose from.

I can fix this. The bell hasn’t even rung yet. Sorry, Chase, but we’re moving into my territory. I turn to grab my things so I can change seats.

Cam sits down in front of me. His dark brown eyes meet mine with a smile. “Hey there, EvanAnn.”

“Hi?” This feels like I’m in an episode of Black Mirror . They’ve never even said my name before. When I reach for my things, Cam puts his hand on them, startling me.

“Where are you going?” he asks it so reasonably, like I’m doing something wrong.

“I’m changing seats.” When I try to move my books, he holds them down.

I puff out a frustrated breath and his smile grows.

“Do I smell bad?” He arches an eyebrow and sniffs his armpit. His arms are thick and his shirt strains against the muscles. “Bad breath?”

No, he smells really good, like sandalwood and leather. It makes my insides soften. I’d love to find his cologne so I could spray it in my room. Even his breath smells good, minty fresh.

“I just want to move.” I give him a look that’s bordering on pleading. What is going on today? My brain is not dealing with these alarming developments.

My words make a mischievous gleam light in his eyes. “What will you give me?”

“Excuse me?” I don’t know how to play this particular game. I don’t know how to play any games. This is out of my depth.

“See, I chose this seat because you’re here. So if you move, there’s no reason for me to sit here.”

My mouth opens and closes. Because I’m here? What is going on? I’m pretty sure my brain is oozing out of my ears by now. People keep glancing our way and whispering to their friends.

The heat in my cheeks grows more intense.

“It only makes sense you give me something as an exchange.” He runs a hand through his thick brown hair, never losing his smirk. “If you move.”

“I don’t know what you want from me.” I give up. The classroom is filling up and if I want to find two seats together, I need to go now.

His smile lightens and he leans in. “You could give me a kiss.”

I rear back.

“I have a boyfriend.” The shock in my voice isn’t fake. “What are you playing at?”

“Your loss, goody two-shoes.” He turns to face forward.

Goody two-shoes ? What are we, seven? My mouth drops open, ready to defend myself, but I don’t think I can win this. Reengaging would be a mistake. Better to admit defeat and scurry off to another location.

When I turn to slide out of the desk, Hawk’s legs block me in. Ugh. I’ve had it up to here with these boys and their little game. When I lift my head, figuring I’ll step over Hawk’s too long legs, my gaze collides with Damon’s sharp blue eyes. Frozen in place, I swallow.

“Going somewhere, Evan?”

Fuck, the way he says my name should be illegal. Everything about Damon should be illegal. His blond hair is an unruly mess of curls, like he just climbed out of bed and sauntered into the classroom. His voice is so low it resonates in my chest. I’m caught like a butterfly on a spiderweb. Helpless.

The bell rings and Mr. Ridgeway walks to the front of the class. “Calm down. I know it’s the first day of school, but can we pretend we aren’t heathens for the next ninety minutes and learn something?”

Damon arches an eyebrow at me. I slide back into my seat and look around. The class is almost full.

Chase still isn’t here. Where the hell is he?

Mr. Ridgeway begins his lecture, discussing everything we’ll be covering this semester during his class, while I try to ignore the hockey players surrounding me. The Devil’s trio. It’s a fitting name for these three.

Halfway through the class, the door opens and Chase walks in.

“Mr. Chadwick, so nice of you to join us.”

Chase smirks and runs his hand through his disheveled hair. Where was he? “Sorry, Mr. Ridgeway. Nature called.”

Mr. Ridgeway gestures to the only empty seat toward the front of the class. Chase nods and looks around the class as he heads to it. His eyes lock on me and he gives me a questioning look.

I shrug. I’d gladly trade him seats if I could. But Mr. Ridgeway isn’t that kind of teacher.

Chase looks at the guys filling the chairs surrounding me and his brow furrows. But he takes his seat.

Something brushes my hair and heat closes in on me from behind.

“Doesn’t look like your boyfriend likes you sitting here, Annie,” Hawk’s words are so low, only I can hear them.

A shiver courses through me at his closeness.

There’s nothing I can do except ignore them and try to focus on class.

“Babe.”

I close my eyes. I really hate that pet name.

As soon as the bell rang, I sprang from my seat and raced out of the classroom before any of those three could touch or talk to me more. There must be a reason for the trio’s sudden attention. Something I did or... They asked about Chase. Something Chase did?

I stop to the side of the hallway and wait for Chase to catch up to me.

He drapes his arm over my shoulders and I resist the urge to shrug it off. It’s like he’s trying to prove a point. Claim me. I don’t know why, but I don’t like it. He knows I’m not big on public displays of affection. This wasn’t an issue last year.

Maybe this is him trying to take our relationship to the next level.

“I thought you were going to save me a seat.” He glances to the left as Hawk walks by me on the other side.

“Yeah, Annie, that’s rude of you not to save a seat.” Hawk winks.

What the fuck! He’s the one who took that seat. But before I can get out anything beyond a self-righteous squeak, he takes off down the hallway.

“Annie?” Chase pulls me to a halt in the middle of the hallway. His gaze follows Hawk as he walks away.

My cheeks flush red as students surge around us. “We’re in everyone’s way, Chase.”

“Why is Hawk Wilker even talking to you?” Chase looks down at me like I’ve done something to warrant this unwanted attention. Like it’s somehow my fault.

I shrug. Frankly, my whole body is tense and anxiety races through my veins. “I have no fucking idea. Can we get to our next class now?”

“Such language, goody two-shoes.” Cam tugs at a strand of my hair as he passes. The pain makes me rub my scalp a little.

“I’m in the fucking twilight zone,” I mutter and check to make sure Damon isn’t lurking anywhere nearby, ready to pounce. So far though, he’s barely said a word to me. Mostly just looked at me.

It’s all alarming.

“Are they fucking with you, babe?” Chase puffs up his chest like he’s going to do the manly thing and protect my honor.

Fuck that. “Calm down. They’re just messing with me. Or maybe you? Maybe you did something?”

My tone is hopeful, because I don’t know how else to explain this sudden interest. Maybe they lost a bet? It would make more sense than the three hottest guys in school suddenly wanting to talk to me because... Seriously, I can’t think of any reason.

Chase shrugs and looks away. It’s a guilty look, but it’s gone when he returns his gaze to me. Is he hiding something? “It could be a football-hockey thing.”

“Maybe.” I don’t know much about sports, but I know rivalries exist. Maybe the guilt I saw was because they’re targeting me to get to him.

“I wouldn’t worry about it if I were you.” He throws his arm around my shoulders and pulls me forward. “They’ll give up soon enough.”

I bite my lip and glance around for Damon. I saw the other two go by, but not him. I can’t imagine him teasing me like the others, but the hair on the back of my neck stands to attention again. I don’t dare turn around and meet those eyes.

Best way to defeat a bully is to ignore them. Right?

I’m still wondering what’s happening when third ends and I head to lunch with everyone else.

I really need to put it out of my mind. Our cafeteria mimics a college campus with different restaurants to buy food from and a main area for seating.

There’s also an outdoor area for when the weather is nice.

When I walk in, I’m not paying attention, too deep in my thoughts about classes this afternoon. I’m hosting auditions in a few days and I need to mentally prepare to select my cast. The showcase at the end of the semester is one of the most important of my life.

It will help determine what schools I’ll be able to get into, and possibly secure me an internship on a film set over the summer with one of my favorite female directors, Alexis Bloom. It’s the type of boost I need to help me in my career.

As I head toward the line to get food, I don’t bother searching for Chase. He’ll find me here. He always does.

Will Mia find me? Will she still want to be my friend? Or has she already found a clique to hang out with? There’s a group of hot, rich girls in the theater group who she’d fit in with.

While I’m friendly with most of the students in the theater group, I wouldn’t call anyone my best friend.

Maybe that’s because we all had to audition for a spot at this school.

It makes it feel more competitive, even though we’re already here.

Maybe that’s because we still have to compete for spots in productions.

Since you never know who will be able to help you later in life, it makes it hard to know who’s truly trying to be your friend and who’s using you to get ahead in their career.

People are friendly with me this year because I’m one of the directors making the casting decisions. Of course, I’m not the only student director in the showcase. I’m going up against someone who is popular, rich, and has friends.

Brandt Stanwell. We’re in this showcase because we’re both great at what we do. The school always chooses the best to show off the talent our school produces. Brandt is more of the meet-and-greet type director who knows everyone in the field already, thanks to his semi-famous, wealthy parents.

People suck up to him because of his connections. I may have talent, but no connections.

I glance around again, thinking about Mia. It’d be nice to have an actual friend to talk to. A friend to bounce ideas off and share my dreams with and discuss what’s going on in my life. Just someone to talk to, period. This day has been crazy.

I really need some advice about Chase. I don’t know if I should take that next step with him or not. He’s been pushing for more. It doesn’t feel quite right, but I’m eighteen and I should get some real-life experience under my belt. Besides, a disappointing first time is character building, right?

I’m almost to the salad bar, my first choice, when an arm settles over my shoulders.

“Cha—” I stop because that isn’t Chase’s cologne. No, it’s something much more devastating. Leather books and citrus. My heart thumps.

“Hey, Annie.”

Fuck.