Page 40 of Shy Girls Can't Date Rockstars

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The teacher squeezes my shoulder, steadying me in place. “You should see the school nurse. You’re fading from pale to green.”

I’m quick to tell the teacher I know where the nurse’s office is, and he excuses me from class.

I practically run down the hall and fly down the staircase.

Nope. No way.

I need to change my schedule. I’ll do literally anything instead of photography.

My stomach spasms, causing me to swallow salty acid. Photography used to be my bliss. It didn’t feel like homework, like the other subjects. It was the fun thing I got to do on weekends. My parents used to boast about how artistic my shots would turn out. Gosh, they spent so much money on that camera that’s wasting away in the bottom of my suitcase.

Nope.

Not doing this.

Ms. Thornesmith in administration needs to change me into another class. There’s no other option.

I race across the first floor as if my shoes are on fire. I’ve left it until the last minute to ask about swapping classes, and I imagine the school administrator looking down her nose at me with those half-glasses.

The last thing I want to do is answer questions about why I don’t want to take photography. I don’t want them to read my transcript and see my good grades. I don’t want them to encourage me to continue.

I can’t continue.

I won’t.

I—

SMACK.

Someone slams into me from the left, hard. I let out a stunned gasp as my body jerks sideways, thrown off balance.

“Crap, are you…” The voice trails off until, “Oh, you’ve got to be kidding.”

My thoughts exactly.

Ryder.

Nine

Istandupright,facinghim.

Ryder’s mouth twitches in his frown. “How did you know?”

“Huh?”

“Did Miranda call you?”

“No. Why?”

He blows out a breath, folding his arms. “Because I called my driver. I’m sneaking out early.”

“Oh.”

“How did you catch me?”

I shrug. “I didn’t. I was just making my way to the administration office.”

“Why? Did you break some school property and need to confess?”

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