Chapter 31: CHAPTER 31

"Clara!" Hilary's voice rippled down the hall just as I was about to enter the gymnasium. Her smile was ecstatic, bubbling with anticipation as she skipped over to me like a proud mother hen.

"What's going on?" I asked. I couldn't think of anything worth that grin. Sure, the football game was coming up, so maybe that? I'd spent extra time last night practicing each sequence until the moves engraved themselves in mny mind. Still, that didn't seem to be the cause of Hilary's excitement.

"I never saw you as the type to do that!" she gushed.

My brows furrowed. "Do what?"

Her eyes gleamed, but the edge of humor in them made me uneasy. She shook my shoulders. "Your love letter to Cross! How long have you been hiding those feelings?!"

"A...a love letter?" My stomach dropped. Not because Cross got a fake letter from me, but because I knew the person behind it.

Amy's story the other day-which had really been a warning- about the girl who got ahead of herself and sent Cross a love note. He had ripped it to pieces. She was probably trying to embarrass me by having me seem as naive as that other girl.

But Cross wasn't dumb. He knew I wouldn't write something like that. Especially if it was as gushy as Hilary made it sound.

As if summoned, the object of my very thoughts materialized at the end of the hallway, his usual end-of-day entourage trailing behind. It was no surprise they were headed this way. All of us needed to get ready before the game-cheerleaders into our sparkly outfits, and football players into gear.

It felt as though an invisible spotlight were aimed at Cross and me. The uncanny way they lingered, not fully entering the locker room, but engaging in small talk made it seem as though they were waiting for something. Even Hilary stepped back.

I fixed my attention on the towering Adonis, whose usual light eyes gleamed liked sapphires, darkened by a wave of cunning intent.

Not even three steps away, I felt the need to explain myself. "Cross, I didn't write the…”

"Shhhh," he softly hushed me, swallowing the distance in one stride and joining our foreheads together. If it weren't for the sly glint in his eyes, I would've almost believed this was real.

He pulled me into his chest, resting his chin atop my head. "I need some time to think about it," hebsaid gently. His voice was considerate, like an owner careful around their delicate pet.

I remained stiff under his embrace. "Think about what?"

He threaded his fingers into my hair, tilting my chin until our eyes met. The twitch at the corner of his lips let me know he was fighting a laugh.

"About introducing you to my mom, and taking your virginity at the senior trip."

"No way," I hissed.

I was going to kill her.

"I thought so too. Why the hotel when I can have you at my place? I want my bed to smell just like you."

Unable to hold it in any longer, Cross dropped his face to my neck. With a hand buried in my hair, and now his face concealed, to others it seemed Cross was drunk with affection. But I felt the warm rush of his laughter, and the suppressed vibrations of his chest.

This idiot.

"You know this is a prank, right? They did Kelly frst, and now its me.

Cross kissed my neck. His lips latched, giving a teasing suck before retreating quickly as if to pacify me. I would've hit him too if his arms hadn't coiled around me like a rope.

"Of course I know it's a prank," he whispered. His gleaming teeth under the light made him seem ravenous. "A man is allowed to dream, isn't he?"

"Enough, give me the letter," I demanded. I needed to see what more ridiculous things she wrote to make a fool out of me. I rifled through his jean pockets.

"Where is it?"

"Nuh uh. I want to keep your letter." When I dug deeper into his right pocket, Cross shivered.

"You're making me excited. Is this how you'll check my size before our special night?"

I gave him a look and pushed him away. At this point, I didn't even want to know the extent of Amy's fabrication. What worried me more was how easily everyone believed I'd actually write something like this.

"Come here," he said, reaching for my hand.

I shot him another look. We had a game to prepare for, not time to waste entertaining stupid pranks. Deciding to deal with him later, I turned my back on him.

Big mistake.

"Fine," he said casually, loud enough for everyone to hear. "I'll be your boyfriend."

Gasps erupted through the hall, reactions ranging from stunned silence to awkward, disbelieving laughter. One girl even wheezed. I froze, utterly speechless. What on earth was he doing?

Taking advantage of my awestruck stillness, Cross leaned in and brushed the corner of my lips with his. From a distance, it could easily be mistaken as a direct kiss. He finished with one last taunt, "See you after the game, babe."

Serene as ever, he strode into the locker room, his teammates roaring after him in a blur of noise and motion. I could hear them through the swinging doors, firing off a million questions as their voices faded the further they walked inside.

Hilary latched onto me and steered me toward our own locker room. Her grin was a stark contrast to the mix of awed gapes and glares aimed my way.

Funnily enough, the one who caused all of this wasn't even here.

"You know I didn't write that letter, right?" I asked. I felt the need to have someone-anyone believe me besides Cross.

She sighed, entirely too pleased with the outcome. "Isn't it sweet when their plans backfire?"

I shook my head, half relieved and half exasperated. Sure, Cross knew the letter wasn't from me, but after that little stunt I questioned if we were even on the same page. He was feeding their assumptions when it could've easily been handled by telling the truth.

Hilary and I changed into our uniforms. It wasn't until we stepped onto the field that I spotted Amy stretching with a few others. She must've come early.

My eyes narrowed. After this game, she was going to

hear from me.

The grass crunched beneath my shoes as we crossed the long stretch toward the field. The opposing team had yet to arrive, and already the stands were filled with students and parents buzzing with anticipation.

I slowed when a voice called my name. Jacob jogged up beside us, worry etched across his face. Rather than stay with me, Hilary snickered and slipped away.

Really?

Worst timing. I actually would've preferred if she stayed with me.

"Can I talk to you for a second?" he asked.

"Sure." I wanted to talk to him too. For one, to apologize for how my friends acted the other day, and also to make it clear I never meant for them to hound him that way.

Jacob hesitated. "I wanted to ask, is it true you're with Cross now?"

"No, it's just a rumor," I said offhandedly.

He exhaled in relief. "Oh. That makes more sense now because..." He blushed red. "I got your letter."

Oh no.

Pranking me with Cross was one thing. Including an innocent person was just plain cruel. Jacob didn't deserve any of this. If I didn't clear this now, it'd look like I'm stringing two guys along.

"Jacob, I don't know what that letter says, but it wasn't from me. Someone's been sending fake letters under my name as a joke." His expression visibly dampened. I felt like the villain for breaking this to him, but I couldn't let these lies continue.

And with everything stirring with Cross, I didn't even feel comfortable talking to another guy until it all settled.

In attempt to avoid further hurting his feelings, I said, "Honestly, I think you're cute. In a different time I would've given us a shot."

"I think you're really pretty too," he said, flushing. To my shock, he gave me a quick hug. "I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way."

I jerked away from his embrace. "I’m sorry" I said, nervously taking a step back. "Right now I'm not in a place to consider anyone romantically."

"But you just said…"

"Things are messy with me right now," I interrupted. "I.. I really don't want to drag another person into this."

His brows drew together. "Do you have feelings for Cross?"

I didn't get the chance to answer. The football coach shrilled through the megaphone. "ARE WE MOVING TODAY, OR ARE WE SIGHT SEEING?!" he yelled, irked with their pace to the field. "EVERY SECOND YOU WASTE WALKING WILL COST YOU SUICIDES TOMORROW! GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE!"

The air split with the thunder of cleats pounding on the grass. Jacob was harshly jostled aside by Cross, an onslaught of players jogging toward the field.

"You're a little too close to my girl, Jacob," Cross said, an easy grin plastered on his face. To everyone watching, it probably looked like he was joking around, but the deadly glint in his eye said otherwise.

"And that question," he added, his voice dropping, "is none of your business."

Jacob was sucked by the tide of rushing athletes, Cross dragging him by the collar until he was far enough away from me.

When Cross looked back, his eyes found mine through the blur of movement. The grin never left his face, but it lacked the usual warmth. His gaze trailed deliberately to where Jacob's hands had touched me, then back to my eyes, glowing with vengeful promise. The indictment was clear: You let him touch you.

And as a result, I'd have to pay the consequences.