13. Peeking at the forbidden.

TASHA.

Nate gazes back at me in shock, not saying anything, clearly stunned by my outburst. An outburst that is the obvious startling truth everyone in Westville High fucking knows about.

I try to calm my nerves down by taking in a couple of quick breaths, clutching my chest. "See Nate, I am really grateful for what you did for me back there at the cafeteria today, but right now, see the mess that action has landed you into. You are here in this place with me, because of me. You got punished because of my mess, and that is something that makes me feel even more guilty right now."

Nate swallows, his jaw working. "Tasha, I defended you back there because that was the right thing to do. No one has the right to hurt you. You are amazing, and that guy Jason is a fucking asshole. I am not going to apologize for what I did, especially when it prevented that bastard from hurting you." He takes in a quick breath, exhaling. "And also, I know I am kind of popular around here, but you do not have