In some ways, it would be a repeat of high school. Brody and I would be stuck with each other regardless of our mutual loathing.
But this time it would be different. I was older and wiser. Plus, this was my own decision, not some random teacher's.
And damn it,thistime, I'd come outa lotbetter than I had the first time around.
Chapter 15
Arden – Six Years Earlier
He was late.
I wasn't surprised. But Iwasirritated. Somehow, by the worst luck ever, I'd been assigned Brody Blastoviak as a lab partner for my senior project in advanced chemistry.
I hated group projects.They were such a pain, especially for me, considering that I needed to maintain a perfect grade-point-average if I wanted to secure that scholarship – a full ride to Michigan State.
In reality, the scholarship was mine already – signed, sealed, and delivered, as long as I didn't blow it during my final semester.
If it weren't for group projects, I wouldn't even be worried.
But now, I was.
And why?It was because I knew exactly how this would go.
When it came to group projects, if anyone in my groupeverslacked off, I had to make up the difference.
Normally, I didn't mind as much as you'd think. I mean, if I wanted a bigger reward, it was only natural that I'd need to put in a bigger effort, right?
But today Iwasn'tin the mood.
So I stubbornly waited, watching the minutes tick by on the big white clock hanging in the school's back hallway. Except for the janitors, I was utterly alone. No surprise there, considering it was Saturday.
Finally, seventeen full minutes after noon, Brody sauntered up looking like he had all the time in the world. He was wearing what he always wore – jeans, a plain T-shirt, and a faded jean jacket.
I was wearing pretty much the same thing, except that my jean jacket was white, and I didn't look half as good wearing it. But Brody Blastoviak – healwayslooked good, no matter what he wore.
I gave him a quick once-over and mentally checked off the list.Killer body, killer face, killer hair, killer everything.
No wonder everything came so easy for him.
And speaking of killing,I said, "Nice of you to show up."
With a casual shrug, he replied, "Hey,Ithought so." He glanced toward the locked door of the chemistry lab. "I figured you'd start without me."
My jaw clenched. That's what theyalwaysfigured. And they were usually right.
But today, I was too tired and cranky to be a good sport about it. Just yesterday, my mom had rolled into town unexpectedly, bringing with her the usual chaos.
She hadn't wasted any time either. Within hours of her arrival, she'd announced that she was engaged – to some guy named Eddie who'd I'd never met – had hit up my grandparents for money – as if they had any to spare – and hadalmostmade off with my white jean jacket – as if it weren't also my only jacket, not counting my winter coat, which would look ridiculous in April.
And now Brody was frowning. His nose literally wrinkled when he said, "What's that smell?"
Heat flooded my face. The smell was me – or rather, the jean jacket I'd wrestled from my mom just this morning. To Brody, I muttered, "Oh, shut up."
With a crooked grin, he said, "Hey, I'm just asking."
"Well, don't."
Now he looked ready to laugh. "Rough night, huh?"
