My heart is light. A friend. And not just any friend, but one of the most popular kids at this school, too. Not to mention, imagine all I could learn about Callum through Dempsey.

“You chose the right side, Reyes.”

“Yeah?”

“The Parks take care of their own.”

He messes with my hair before sauntering away. I stare after him, a little unnerved by our whole encounter, but not hating it.

Dempsey Park is my friend now, just like Callum said he was my friend last night.

Interesting.

This is by far the weirdest week of my life.

“Bell’s about to ring, Miss Reyes.”

I jolt at the deep timbre of Callum’s voice, jerking my attention to where he stands just outside his classroom. Today, he’s handsome as ever in a three-piece navy suit that accentuates his electric blue eyes. His dark hair is tousled like he’s been running his fingers through the thick strands. My own fingers twitch to do the same.

“I see you know Dempsey,” Callum says, his stern features unreadable.

Flames lick up my neck and heat my cheeks. “I, uh, he…” I bite down on my bottom lip, trying hard not to continue to ramble out words that make no sense. “He’s my friend.”

Callum doesn’t react to my words. I guess I expected to see relief in his features. Or maybe jealousy. He wears the same almost-scowl he always has on. No secret smiles or winks. I’m thrown for a loop, questioning everything that happened yesterday.

I didn’t imagine it.

I have proof of his texts on my phone.

“Call—er—Mr. Park, it’s not what you think,” I whisper, unsure why I feel like I need to make him understand the situation.

Callum’s jaw ticks, like he’s clenching his teeth, but then he motions for me to go into the classroom. I’ve been dismissed. His blatant rejection or refusal to hear me out is a punch to my chest.

“Don’t be tardy,” he says in response.

My gaze falls to my feet. I’m unable to look at him. Why do I have to fall for someone so completely unattainable? Why not give in to Dempsey’s advances? Weeks ago, I’d have jumped at the chance of being the girlfriend of Dempsey Park.

But that was before I realized my teacher likes me.

He does like me.

I’m not insane.

Ignoring Callum’s cold words, I leave him, entering the classroom. The other students are babbling, creating a dull roar that makes my temples throb. I’d been looking forward to this class all day, but now I want nothing more than to run away and hide.