She narrows her eyes. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Try me,” he challenges with a cock of his brow.

Harlow glares at him but keeps her lips sealed. Hunter smirks at her then hands her the shake before returning his attention to me.

“Let’s exchange numbers so I can get ahold of you,” he says casually, as if it’s not a big deal.

But it is a huge deal, at least to me. I’ve never exchanged numbers with anyone before, never had any friends until now.

Maybe this move isn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be.

I just need to make sure my past stays a secret, or else I’ll lose these friendships before they even start.

12

RAVEN

After we finish eating, we head back to school. We’re a bit late, and normally, I’d be bothered by this and have to take a few hits before I walk into class, but I’m riding a friendship high right now, so I decide not to.

“What class do you have next?” Hunter asks me as the three of us wander toward the entrance of the school.

Since the bell has already rang, hardly anyone is around, except for us and a few others.

“Bio, I think.” I dig out my schedule that I tucked inside my pocket and check. “Yep, bio.”

“With Ms. Mellie?” he asks, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

I nod as we reach the door. “Yep.”

“Cool. I’m heading close to there. I’ll walk you.” He opens the door for me and lets me walk in. He also waits for Harlow to enter before he walks in himself.

Harlow lets out a snort. “Wow, this gentleman side of you is new.”

“Don’t get used to it,” he jokes. “I’m just trying to impress my new friend.” He winks at me.

A smile tugs at my lips, but I try not to let it get too huge, not wanting to seem like a total weirdo.

“Speaking of new friends.” Harlow faces me while retrieving her phone from her pocket. “Let’s swap digits.”

“Good idea.” I attempt to appear as collected as possible as we trade numbers and enter them into our phones, but this is the second time I’ve done this today—and in my entire life—so I’m a little jacked up. Hopefully, they don’t notice.

Once we’re done, she waves bye as she starts off in the opposite direction we’re heading in, calling out, “I’ll text you tonight.”

I wave back then Hunter and I head off in the other direction.

“I’m glad you’re going to be friends with my sister,” he says as we slowly make our way to our classes. “She doesn’t have a lot of friends, and you seem like you’re just the right amount of weird to get along with her well.” He nudges me lightly in the side while smiling at me.

“You think I’m weird?” I question, already knowing I am.

“From what I can tell, you are a little bit. Don’t worry; that’s a compliment.”