She knew people were talking about her fall from grace—how the queen bee of the school had to throw a party for the school’s lowest social rungs. It had to be public, humiliating, unforgettable. The girls had done what no one expected—they’d chosen their nerds. Her makeup was flawless, her presence magnetic. My tongue,” she murmured, her voice thick with loathing. She had a camera slung over one shoulder, as if she might turn the whole thing into a documentary if it amused her enough. The suddenness of her words snapped Jake out of his daze, and he nodded, eager to leave the tension behind. He had never been this close to Ava outside of school, and the thought of seeing her in a more personal setting made his palms sweat. She felt the heat building between her legs, but it was a response to the situation’s intensity, not to the very humiliating act she was forced to perform. “That’s not the point,” she spat. He quickly paused the video and scurried to the door, pressing his ear to the wood. Nothing too serious.” She took a deep breath, trying to shake off the shock of the fall.
