Chapter 11 : Alyssa

There's a gentle tap on my arm.

"Lys?"

I blink out of my thoughts and refocus my attention on Mia. "Hmmm?" If she asked a question, I have no idea what it was. I really need to snap out of this funk.

Sympathy flashes across her face as she loops her arm through mine and tugs me to her. "Aww, girl. I'm sorry. I know this must be tough." There's a pause. "You want me to beat Colton's ass? For you, I'll do it."

Even though it takes effort, I force out a snort. "Nah. He's not worth it." My lips quirk at the corners at the idea of Mia getting into any kind of physical altercation. She's never so much as had a disagreement. She's always walked the straight and narrow, but that behavior intensified after her sister, Brianne, died in a car accident. Sometimes I get the feeling that Mia is trying to distract her parents with all of her accomplishments. Straight A's, tennis tournaments, squeaky clean image and reputation. It must be exhausting to be so perfect.

I wouldn't know.