“Gigi told me that you guys have been texting non-stop.” I shrugged, like the news hadn’t made me want to cry. But I was not going to cry on my fresh start day.

Axel laughed. “I texted her once. On Friday. After you went against our deal.”

I slammed my locker closed. “That’s not what she said.”

“Well, she’s mental.”

“You really shouldn’t call your new girlfriend mental.” I tried to step around him, but he blocked my path.

“I texted her one time. That was it, I swear. And I only did it because you flirted with Jacob right in front of me. We had a deal, Scarlett.”

“No, you had a deal. I don’t want anything to do with it.”

“You agreed to it.”

“I was under duress!” God, I’d already decided Axel wasn’t going to be a part of my fresh start. So what was he doing standing here trying to mess it up already? “Axel, I don’t know what you want from me. After we talked on Friday, I...” my voice trailed off. I’d told him I’d always pictured my first kiss with him. And he hadn’t said a damn word in response. “You’ve barely said two words to me since our...talk.” I didn’t know what else to call it. Did he not remember my confession or something?

“Yeah, we haven’t spoken much because I was pissed that you came to the party in the first place. Which I told you. And I’m even more pissed at you for breaking our deal.”

“Well, get used to it. Because I’m going to keep breaking it. I have a date with Jacob today.”

Axel laughed. “You’re seriously going on that ridiculous ice cream date?”

“I’m going on a very romantic ice cream date with Jacob, yes.”

“You hate leaving campus for lunch. Come on. Just come to lunch.”

“You don’t know me as well as you think you do. I’m going on the date. End of story.”

“Are you sure you want to do that?”

The way he said it was laced with venom. He wasn’t touching me, but it felt like he had a hold on me. Somehow pulling me closer. And I knew the meaning of his words. He was asking me if I was sure because there would be repercussions. He’d keep texting Gigi. He’d break the deal too. He’d kiss her.

The thought made me slightly queasy, but I wasn’t backing down. I was done letting Axel mess with my head. “Yes, I’m sure,” I said, even though I wasn’t. I was worried that seeing Gigi kiss him again might kill me.