Accidentally

Chapter 4

I'm so happy you guys are enjoying this book! I really think this book is gonna be a juicy one ... and we're just getting started lmao

Strap in kiddos

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I spent the rest of the weekend dreading my return to school, and when I woke up on Monday the inherent fear of seeing Perrie still lingered. Because of this I took an extra long time getting ready, and found myself dashing into my first period class right as the bell rang. 

"Jade, you're uncharacteristically late today," the teacher said, giving me a look of surprise. 

"Sorry Mrs. Brown," I said, hastily trying to come up with a believable excuse, "I overslept."

She raised an eyebrow, flashing me her teacher look. For a minute I thought she was going to call me out. 

"Just go on and take your seat," she said, gesturing to the rows of desks. I nodded, filled with relief, and slid into my usual seat near the front of the class.

"Everything okay, Jade?" Alex asked, leaning toward me so that he could speak quietly. "You're never late."

Shit. I had forgotten that Alex sat next to me in this class. Suddenly I felt a whole lot more uneasy as I looked up to meet his gaze.

"Yeah, I'm okay. I overslept," I heard myself say, my lips moving of their own accord to form the same excuse I gave to the teacher. Alex nodded, but I could tell he knew there was something I wasn't saying. I knew he'd ask me later, that damn caring man.

Sometimes it sucks being friends with your best friend's boyfriend.

Alex opened his mouth, undoubtedly to ask me more, but at that moment the teacher hushed the class and tapped the whiteboard.

"Guys, time to settle in," she said briskly. "We have a lot to cover in class."

I had never been more grateful for class to start than I was right now. Alex gave me a look that said, we'll talk about this later.

Great. I let out a sigh and dropped my head into my hands. Any confrontation, especially this early in the morning, is the bane of my existence.

I avoided Alex's questioning gazes for the rest of class, glad for the first time in my life that we were watching videos and taking notes all class. I don't think I could have handled partner activities, especially since it would no doubt be full of questions from Alex with nowhere to run for me. 

I can't believe I was even in this situation. My friendship with Perrie was shaky at best right now, and if Alex found out he'd never forgive me. It's funny how one mistake can affect so much of your life. 

I looked down and was surprised to see the tip of my pencil had broken from how had I'd been pressing it into the paper. Fantastic. 

Luckily, the teacher paused the video we were watching and gave us the smile she reserved for when it was time for us to go. "Your homework for tonight is some multiple choice questions on the videos we watched in class today. You are allowed to use your notes since it's just homework. We will be having a test over the material we are learning this week on Friday, so be sure you took good notes for studying. As always, my office hours are open for anyone that needs help with anything."

Everyone in class mumbled a thank you as they passed her desk, grabbing a homework packet from the stack of paper as they went. When I reached the desk she leaned over to stop me. "Stay after class for a minute, Jade?"

I nodded, stepping aside to let Alex by. He gave me yet another questioning look, and I sent back as wide a smile as I could muster. He raised an eyebrow in response, and jerked his head at the door to indicate that he'd be waiting for me outside the classroom. Wonderful.