Chapter 2: My Best Friend’s Inner Beast

ADDY

I mumble an apology to someone I accidentally bump into, then turn back to Kaylee.

“Addy, you don’t have to lie to me!” she whispers in my ear as we continue down the hallway to our lockers.

I grab her arm.

“Kaylee, I swear, I’m really over him this time,” I insist, trying to make her believe me.

“Sweetie, why are you lying to yourself?” she asks, punching in her locker combination.

I lean against the locker next to hers.

“Well, I don’t mean ~over~ over…”

She gives me a ~you’ve got to be kidding me~ look, and I offer her a sheepish smile.

“I can’t just get over my crush instantly! BUT—” I shout the word “but,” causing a few students to turn and look at me.

“But what?” she asks.

“But what I’m saying is, I’m putting an end to this nonsense right here, right now.”

She perks up at that and smirks at me.

~Oh, no! That’s not a good sign~!

“Does this mean I can find you a boyfriend?”

She raises her eyebrows suggestively, and I groan, pulling her with me toward our classroom.

“So does this mean I can…”

BAM!

I glance behind me to see Kay sprawled out on the floor.

~What just happened?~

She quickly gets up, gathering the books that have scattered everywhere, and mumbles an apology.

~Why is she apologizing?~

“Watch where you’re going!” a guy I’ve never seen before snaps at her, towering over her small frame.

~Oh, that’s why!~

Kay’s expression shifts from surprise to anger.

I would have jumped in to defend her, but Kay has always been able to handle these situations herself.

“Are you mute as well as blind or what?” He smirks at her, only making her angrier.

Okay, it’s official: this guy is going to get it today.

“You little jerk!” She smirks back before launching herself at the poor guy.

~Yep, that’s my cue to leave. My ears will definitely bleed if I don’t.~

***

“Kaylee. Kaylee!” I call, trying to catch my best friend’s attention as she weaves through the crowd of students, with me trailing behind her.

“What a jerk!” she grumbles, spinning around to face me without warning.

I crash into her, and our bags tumble to the floor.

“Damn, did you carry that all the way here? Why didn’t you just tell me to take my bag from you?”

I groan, unsure of what to do with my best friend.

“You tried to tell me, didn’t you?” She gives me a sheepish smile.

“I’ve been trying to get you to slow down, but you were too busy ranting about your new crush,” I say flatly, shoving her bag into her arms.

“Sorry.” She grins at me. “He just really pissed me off. Who even ~says~ that?”

I laugh at her frustrated expression.

“Wait, did you just say ‘crush’? I can’t stand the guy and you think I like him already?” She frowns, looking at me as if I’ve betrayed her.

“He’s hot.”

Kay opens her mouth to protest, but I cut her off.

“Don’t even try. I know that look. You think he’s hot too.”

“Pfft. No?”

I give her a stern look.

“Okay, okay, you got me. But just because he’s hot doesn’t mean he can be a jerk. Son of a bitch. I’m going to go back there and beat him up. Just wait and see, Addy, I’ll set him straight.”

I roll my eyes at her before pulling her with me.

“You can beat him up later, babe. First, we have to survive Mr. Woolhead’s boring class.”

“Is it Monday today?” she groans.

I nod, and she whines again before reluctantly following me.

***

I climb higher up my favorite tree, trying to get a better view.

~Where is he?~

~Oh.~

I spot Asher heading to his favorite spot under the neighbor’s tree. A grin spreads across my face, only to disappear the moment I see a certain blonde sashaying her way toward him.

~Ugh, what a leech.~

~Says the girl who’s spying on Asher from a tree.~

I dismiss the thought and shift my position.

“Babe!” Jalina Rey whines as she approaches my Asher.

Yes, I just went there. I’m hopeless, and my best friend is going to kill me when she finds out. If she finds out, that is.

Over Asher, my ass. I’m still totally crushing on the guy.

“Babe!” Jalina tries again, finally getting Asher’s attention. I grunt in annoyance but stay put, not wanting to fall out of the tree.

~I’m not breaking another leg.~

Believe it or not, I’ve already broken the same leg three times.

“Are you coming to the party tonight?” She smiles at him, her perfectly manicured fingers tracing his arm.

My teeth grind together, my hands clenching in anger.

“Get your hands off me, Jali.” He pushes her hand away and sits down.

~Yes!~ I cheer silently, nearly losing my grip on the branch. ~Holy crap!~

My heart races and I swing my body back onto the branch.

“Did you hear that?” Jalina asks in a high-pitched voice.

“No,” Asher grunts, pulling his backpack closer and taking something out.

“Babe,” she starts again, and Asher seems to have had enough of her.

So have I.

“I’m coming. Please leave now.”

Jalina pouts (not adorably!) before reluctantly walking away from him.

~Ugly, bitchy, little, stupid…~

“Addalyn!” The sudden shout of my name startles me, causing me to lose my grip. This time, there are no branches to catch, and I’m plummeting face-first from the tree.

~Holy freaking grape juice!~

I’m convinced I’m going to die today. There are so many things I still want to do. Land a great job, adopt a pet, marry Ash, raise adorable kids with him, and…

“Addy!” Kay’s voice slices through my thoughts.

I brace myself for the impact, but it never comes. I cautiously open my eyes to find myself staring into Asher’s deep brown eyes.

My breath catches, and I struggle to keep my gasp quiet.

Asher.

I’m in Asher’s arms.

~Am I dead? Is this a dream?~

“You need to be more careful,” he chides me, as if I’m a child. He sets me down and turns away, acting as if this is no big deal, before striding off.

I can’t see where he’s headed because I’m suddenly yanked around to face my best friend, who looks like she’s about to tear my hair out.

“What were you doing up there?” she asks, her voice eerily calm. A calm Kaylee is never a good sign. A happy Kaylee is hyper. A calm Kaylee is a “I’ll snap your neck if you dare lie to me” Kaylee.

But I decide to take my chances.

“Just enjoying the view from up there,” I say nonchalantly.

Kay raises an eyebrow, clearly not buying it.

“Three yards away from where Asher was sitting just now. You really expect me to believe that?”

I swallow hard, backing away slowly.

She raises an eyebrow again, daring me to move further.

“Addalynn Reina!” she bellows—and that, folks, is my cue to bolt. I let out a laugh and sprint towards my house, with Kaylee hot on my trail.

~Oh crap, my best friend is definitely going to skin me alive today.~

“Wait up, you pig. You know I can’t keep up with you?”

I glance over my shoulder to see Kay trying to catch her breath not too far behind me.

“I know, I know!” I cackle before taking off again.