ELLA'S POVI unloaded textbooks from my bag into my cluttered locker. As I placed a hefty calculus book on the top shelf, Trent's sports jacket that I had stuffed in the back tumbled out. I had forgotten it was still in there after he so rudely ditched me at tryouts.I shook out the wrinkled jacket and flung it over my shoulder . It had been almost a week and I haven't been able to get through to trent. His weird reaction after tryouts had left me completely confused. It was so unlike him. Trent was the one who asked me to wait for him, then he treated me like I was the most irritating pest afterwards!I had wasted my time going to his tryout when he clearly didn't even need me there at all.Slamming my locker door shut angrily, I suddenly heard a voice behind me. "Jeez, what's got you all riled up so early in the morning?"Whirling around, I saw Susan watching me with one eyebrow raised. "Oh uh, nothing! Nothing's wrong," I said quickly.Susan leaned in with a knowing look, loweri
ELLA'S POVThe fourth period bell rang loudly, jolting me from my distracted thoughts. Our plump biology teacher, Mrs. Lakin, gathered up her hefty textbooks with a huff. "Read chapter 7 and answer questions 1-15 for homework tonight!" she reminded everyone as the class sprang into motion.I eagerly shoved my notes into my backpack, more than ready for lunch period. I hadn't been able to concentrate at all with my stomach growling the whole lecture. Skipping breakfast this morning after also missing dinner last night while lost in a good book was catching up to me.By the time I looked up, Susan's seat was already vacant - no doubt she had hightailed it straight to the cafeteria. My stomach gave another loud gurgle and I pressed a hand to it with a wry smile. No way was I going to hunt Susan down right now just for company. Food had to come first before I passed out!But before I made it down the hall, none other than Amelia stepped into my path with her new friends."Oh hey Ella! Not
ELLA'S POVI felt my cheeks flush as all eyes turned to me. Trent's arm tightened around my waist, nearly knocking the wind out of me. I struggled not to wince."Fellas, meet my smoking hot princess," Trent announced, his arrogant grin plastered across his face.I resisted the strong urge to stomp on his foot, his usual cockiness tires me out. I gave a little wave to his friends, suddenly feeling self-conscious as they stared at me.Liam, Connor, and the other players broke into loud whoops and clapping. I looked down, heat creeping up my neck."To the newest couple in town!" Liam declared, raising a bottle of water. The rest of the guys clinked their bottles in a messy toast. Ugh, jocks. I plastered a coy smile across my face. "Oh stop it, you guys!" I giggled, doing my best to play the part of infatuated girlfriend. I gently removed Trent's arm from my waist and slid onto the bench across from him, smoothing my skirt underneath me."I see you're treating her well. In the place Dami
ELLA'S POVI grabbed her hand and pulled her from the office. We almost collided into a few lingering students in the hall. I didn't slow down until we were behind the gym, finally alone.I bent over, hands on my knees as I caught my breath. Once my heart rate returned to normal, I turned to Susan."Okay, you need to tell me everything," I said gently. "Who is blackmailing you? What exactly do they have over you? And what on earth did you do?"Susan wrapped her arms around herself, looking small. "I just can't, Ella! This is all too much. Please, it's better if you don't get involved. Just leave me alone to handle this."She turned to leave but I stepped forward, blocking her path. "Absolutely not! I'm not abandoning my best friend to meet up with some creepy blackmailer alone. Now talk to me, Susan!"Susan whirled around, eyes flashing. "Oh, so now I'm your best friend?" she scoffed bitterly. "Funny, I never felt like I still held that position lately."I jerked back as if I had been
TRENT'S POVDelete what? What did I just fucking see and hear. I decided to stay up late after school to get some extra practice in at the gym - hey, it beats having to go home and face the wrath of my dad, who just came home yesterday after another one of his "business trips."But why did I follow Ella when I spotted her ducking around corners like a wanna-be spy? Curiosity got the best of me I guess. Plus, it was kind of amusing seeing her attempt to sneak around all stealth-like. Girl needs some serious lessons in hiding though!Still, why didn't she immediately run over and help Susan after witnessing...whatever the hell that was with Mr. Blackmailer Dude? And what was with her filming the whole confrontation on her phone? Guess it's not really my business.Susan practically hates my guts ever and If given the chance I'm sure she would gladly feed me to a pack of hungry wolves without hesitation. Can't say I blame her after how I treated her best friend.Heading to my car in the p
ELLA'S POVThe math test looms only four days away now. I've spent nearly every waking minute of the past weekend cramming formulas and equations - my college prospects are riding on this stupid test.Still, as worried as I am about quadratic functions or analytical geometry, prepping isn't even my biggest worry lately.I can't stop fretting over Susan going radio silent on me. She won't answer texts or calls ever since our blow-up argument. I know I majorly messed up, but the silent treatment is killing me.Even worse, I can't stop replaying Trent's bizarre panic attack on the road. The way he completely zoned out, yelling at invisible demons. Then next minute he seemed fine and brushed it off.It made zero sense...until Trent walked in this morning sporting fresh bruises and bandages on his arms that definitely hadn't been there last week. What was he hiding behind those green eyes? Why did he seem suddenly so...broken? And why the hell was I wasting brain space even worrying about
ELLA'S POV"I'm afraid I didn't actually witness anything improper," I said evenly as all eyes turned to me. "Susan didn't seem to be doing anything concerning or strange from what I could see."Mrs comfort's mouth dropped wide open with shock, clearly she had been expecting something from me which I failed to say. But with all due respect ma, I can't spill what you want. Just forgive me."Well then Susan, what can you tell us about your appearance in the staff lounge that day."Principal Stevens turned his gaze to Susan who still couldn't meet anyone's eyes. "Why exactly were you present there?" he demanded sharply.Susan paled, clearly unsure how to respond. Thinking fast, I cut in."Actually sir, you didn't ask what I was doing in the staff lounge either. I was also present, remember?"Principal Stevens looked mildly surprised but nodded. "Very well, what was your purpose for being there, Miss Thompson?"I wracked my brain wildly. "Mrs. Lakin had asked me to drop off some stacks o
TRENT'S POV "Shit!" I shouted, kicking at the ground. The ball had bounced away from the hoop again - the fifth time I missed an easy shot.This damn thing wouldn't leave my head. Gnawing on my concentration and hijacking my mind at the worst possible times."Trent, my office now! Everyone else can head back," Coach called out.I trudged over as my teammates dispersed, seeing Damien flash me a sheepish half-smile before leaving. Coach waited with arms crossed as I entered his office. "What the hell was that out on the court?" "Sorry Coach, I was a bit distracted," I muttered, avoiding his fiery gaze."You really need to stop worrying about everything else if you want to continue being on my team," Coach said, his voice taking on an almost pleading tone now. "I know how talented you are, Trent. But how are you going to cope with these distractions?" "I'm sorry Coach.""Sorry isn't the issue - I need to see changes!" he barked.With a curt nod, I turned and left his office feeling l