Fueled by adrenaline, I speed-walked to class early and grabbed the same spot—off to the side at the back. Then I unpacked my things and prayed. With every minute that ticked by, my nerves climbed a little higher. I waited, jiggling my foot and tapping my pen against the desktop until someone sitting in front of me turned around and shot me a dirty look.

The clock hit two p.m. and Professor Walsh began his lecture on the properties of stars. Still no Luke. I heaved a sigh, muscles relaxing. I lucked out again—or so I thought. Two minutes after class started, he rushed in and found an empty seat near the front. As he did, he turned around, making eye contact before I could look away.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end for the entire lecture. I steadfastly focused on my notes and the slides at the front while I ignored Luke’s attempts to catch my eye. Class ended, and I quickly gathered up my pens and books, sliding them back into my bag with one big sweep of the arm. If I could get out fast, I could avoid him.

“Bailey,” Luke called. “Wait.” He scaled the steps two at a time, dodging other students in the aisle to reach me.

Worst-case scenario confirmed. The desperate need to escape seized me, and the dark cloud that had been with me all day morphed into a category-four hurricane of anger and panic. I speed-walked down the aisle, making a beeline for the doors at the back. Unfortunately, he beat me to the end of the row and was standing in wait when I got there.

“If I throw a stick, will you leave?” I asked, tone flat.

He glared at me. “I came over to say hi. What’s your problem?”

Other than the fact that you exist? Nothing. Nothing at all.

“Don’t talk to me,” I said, brushing past with my book bag wedged between us. His woodsy cologne wafted around me, both familiar and unpleasant. “In fact, don’t even look at me. Pretend I don’t exist, and I’ll do the same in return.”

Luke followed close behind like a toxic shadow I couldn’t shake. “What the hell has gotten into you?”

“Gee, I don’t know. Maybe it’s how you got a new girlfriend the day after you dumped me.” I came to a stop at the exit while people filtered past us, then turned to face him. If he didn’t care about making a scene, then neither did I. “Or it could be the part where you’re trying to turn my friends against me.”