Chapter 26

I survived my first week, barely.

I was sat in English, my last class of the day before school was out for the weekend. Abby was sat in
front of me and I was trying to find a reason to speak to her.

What the heck.

"Abby?".

Turning around in her seat she smiled at me. "Hey Leah you okay?". Already I could tell she was a
sweet girl, she was beautiful too.

"This is so random". I laughed. "But I promised him I would do it". She frowned at me. "Do you know
Ryan Smith?". I asked.

"I-I know of him why?". She seemed a little reserved, shy even. She was the first girl other than Alanna
and Lacey at this school that didn't look at me like I didn't belong.

"Do you like him?". I asked.

"I don't know him". She shrugged.

"Would you be willing to get to know him?". I grinned.

"He's a football player Leah and I'm well- look at me". She frowned. "I don't exactly scream popularity".

"Who cares about that stuff. It's senior year, our last year at school. You never know you might like
him". I winked. I hoped she'd give him a chance.

"I don't know Leah-.."



"What have you got to lose?".

"Okay". She smiled.

Sneaking out my phone I looked Ryan's number up and scribbled it down. "Here it's his number".
Passing it to her I held my breath as my phone was plucked from my hand.

"Twice I've caught you with your phone out in class Miss Wilson".

Dammit.

I wasn't making a good impression on Mr Gallagher at all. Maybe he'll be in a good mood seeing as it's
Friday.

"Sorry sir it won't happen again". Class was almost over, surely he wouldn't confiscate it.

"Second warning Leah. If I see it again it's mine". He warned.

"Got it". I whispered.

Handing it back to me I shoved it into my jacket pocket. At least he didn't give me a detention.

"Is he always like that?". I asked turning my attention back to Abby.

"Not always he's usually laid back but when he's like that it last for ages. Keep your phone away
because once he has it your parent has to come in and collect it".

What?

"You're joking?". We weren't kids, yes I shouldn't have my phone out in class but it's not as if I was
using it.



"Afraid not". She smiled. "Did you finish your work, it's to be handed in today".

"Already emailed it to him. Didn't want to give him another reason to hate me". I sighed rolling my eyes.
Mr Gallagher wasn't an old teacher, you'd think he'd be a little less strict.

"Can I give you my number for Ryan, I won't have the nerve to text him first". She whispered.

"Sure but how about we wait until class is over. I don't fancy staying for detention".

"Everybody listen up". Mr Gallagher stood from behind his desk. "I look forward to reading your
assignments over the weekend. I'm hoping the effort has been put into them because if it hasn't you'll
get it back to redo. Now get out of here and have a good weekend".

Packing up my bag I pulled on my jacket. Maybe he wasn't as bad as I thought. I could feel my phone
vibrating inside my pocket but I knew better now than to pull it out in his class.

"Do you wanna grab a coffee from the canteen?". I couldn't leave because Alanna was my ride.

"Sure". She smiled. "I'm not in any rush to get home anyway. My moms working a double".

"Maybe Ryan will take you out". I smirked. "Give me your number and I'll pass it on".

"Does he actually like me?". She whispered.

"He does". Pushing some money into the machine I already knew the coffee wasn't going to be very
good.

"I'm nervous". She groaned as she fixed her own coffee. "I've never had a boyfriend Leah and I'm not
saying Ryan will become mine but what do I say to him? What if I'm to weird for him".

"You're overthinking". She was doing exactly what I was doing. Who'd have thought I'd be giving
someone else advice on a guy when I wasn't taking it myself.



"I'm just scared".

"I know but what's the worst that could happen?". Taking a sip off my coffee I hissed when it burned my
top lip. "Give it a go. There's no pressure".

"You're right, no pressure".

Laying my phone on the table it started to vibrate. I didn't need to look to see who was calling. He
wasn't giving up.

"You going to answer that?". She asked nodding towards my phone.

"No" I shrugged. I hadn't read any of the messages he sent me last night either. Even though he said
he wasn't on a date with Jessica he still had his arm wrapped around her shoulders. That didn't sit well
with me, I wasn't that type of girl. If I liked someone I didn't go out with someone else.

"Who's calling you?". She asked. "Because whoever it is isn't giving up". She didn't need to tell me that.

"Jake Taylor". I sighed hitting ignore for the third time.

"Alanna's brother?". She asked. "Isn't he old?".

I couldn't wait to tell him that one. Shaking my head I grinned. "He's older but not by much. Do you
know him?".

"Everyone knows him. There's a shrine of the football team back when he was in school and he's front
and centre. Apparently he was really good". I remember Ryan mentioning something about that.

"Of course there is". I bet he was the popular boy that everyone wanted to be friends with. The girls in
my year are crazy about him so I could only imagine what it was like back then.

"Is he..- are you together?". She asked.



"No we're not". I wasn't sure we were even friends. We had fun hanging out, it was easy and he did
seem like a really nice guy but was it all an act?

"Just friends then?".

"I'm not even sure we're that". The bell rang signalling school was over. "I need to go Alanna's my ride
but please don't be a stranger and please give him a message". Throwing my coffee in the bin I waved
goodbye.

"I'll try, see you Monday".


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