Racing Down Sunset Boulevard

Chapter 24

Kaylah's POV

I couldn't stop glancing towards the classroom door, beyond which Nate sat, leaning against the wall with crossed arms. Again, he seemed nonchalant, apparently engrossed in something on his phone, and didn't seem to notice me.

"You're welcome to step outside if this is too much for you", our principal stood in front of my desk, giving me a pointed look. Ariana's mom could a frightening woman when provoked, but right now she only seemed to be feigning it for the audience. We can't have the high school whispering that I'm getting a free pass just because I'm the principal's daughter best friend.

"It won't happen again Miss", I could feel Ari's questioning gaze on me, but I avoided eye contact and opted to stare blankly at the PowerPoint projected on the board, half listening Ari's mom drone on about dress code, makeup and what not, giving me another meaningful look as she did so. As if I'd show up in drag tomorrow. I rolled my eyes and was once again very glad that I'd opted for sunglasses today.

It was half an hour later that she finally dismissed us, and I watched the high school noisily file out of the assembly room, as I grabbed Ari's forearm to keep her put.

"Are you guys coming?" Caroline, one of my oldest friends, called over the din. Her pink hair stood out in the sea of white and navy, making it easy for me to focus on her.

"Give us a second?" Although it came out as a question, Caro just nodded before making her way outside.

"What's up?" Ari looked at me questioningly, for once since Nate showed up giving me her undivided attention.

I drew in a breath. "Ari, how well do you know Nathan?" she seemed even more confused by my question, and shook her head, as if the question bothered her.

"What do you mean?" she tilted her head to the side, lower lip jutting out, "Look, I know this is quick, but you're the one that says I should take more chances. I thought you'd be happy for me?"

She genuinely seemed hurt, and before I could open my mouth to say anything else, Nathan materialized behind her, a hand coming to rest on her shoulder.

"Am I interrupting? I don't mean to pry," he gave me the complacent smile of someone who knew exactly what he was interrupting. I did my best not to look irritated but I'm not sure how well that worked out.

"Ari and the rest are going out for some coffee. Since I've heard you're an expert on the subject, do you want to come along? I'm a bit clueless when it comes to anything that isn't tea," I could've almost believed his request was purely made for Ari's sake, but his gaze made it impossible to shake the feeling that he was trying to analyse me, trying to decide if he could win me over as he did with the rest or if I was to be rid of.

"Oh I wish I could," I made a show of acting genuinely upset, staring to the side longingly, "But I promised my girlfriend I'd visit," I hadn't gotten around to telling Ari we'd broken up, so she didn't seem any bit surprised.

I got up and I'd made my way out in the hallway and onto the main staircase when they caught up with me.

"Heard you're planning on law school? I could give you some tips," the same easy smile was back, and I slowed my pace, because outright sprinting would be taken the wrong way.

"Oh?" I already knew he was a law student himself, but I wanted to keep conversation going. He wasn't the only one testing the ground.

"Yeah. Most exhausting four years of my life. Don't worry though, internships are much more fun than people let on," he winked at me, while Ari chuckled.