Page 142 of Fall Fake-Out

I shake my head and laugh despite myself. “You’re a terrible principal for calling me out in the middle of my class. I squeeze him once, hard, then pull back and plant a quick kiss on his lips. I leave his office, fighting my smile the whole trek back to my classroom.

Incident #2 - Hallway shenanigans, Tuesday after school.

I’m walking through an empty hallway when a hand suddenly wraps around my wrist. I barely have time to gasp before I’m pulled around the corner beside a vending machine—straight into Wade.

“Hi.” He smiles at me, but his eyes don’t meet mine. They’re solely focused on my lips.

Then, before I can lecture him on scaring a woman and pulling her into a dark corner, he kisses me. Quick and searing.

My fingers curl around his neck automatically.

The kiss lasts maybe seven seconds. Ten, if I’m lucky.

Then he’s already stepping away.

“See you tomorrow.”

I blink. “That’s it?”

“Oh, look who wants more.” He turns around, walking backward down the hall. The grin smothered across his face has me in a full sweat, or maybe it was his lips on mine.

Or both.

Incident #3 - Wednesday’s classroom visit

We’ve been in fifth period for ten minutes when Wade slips in with a notebook. He doesn’t even look at me, just takes his seat in the back of the classroom like he’s observing, which, as principal, it is his right to observe me, but this feels a little too convenient.

I’m momentarily blank on my lesson, but one glance at the whiteboard gets me back on track.

“Dangerous Words,” I say. “That’s the title for your next paper. But it’s up to each of you to decide what your dangerous word is.”

Ethan leans forward. “What do you mean? How is a word dangerous?”

“It’s dangerous because it hits on something vulnerable inside of you. Could be perfectionism, self-worth, anxiety, pressure, fear”—I glance at Wade, not even meaning to—“or trust.” There’s an honest moment between us for half a second before I move on. “Your assignment is to choose one dangerous word and write about why it’s dangerous to you personally.”

Colby shakes his head. “Uh, I need more examples.”

I open my mouth to speak, but Wade beats me to it.

“What about love?” His eyes meet mine and hold.

Love?

While it is the perfect example for this assignment, his mention of it leaves me speechless.

“How is love dangerous?” Colby asks. “Isn’t it usually a good thing?”

Wade shrugs. “Love is dangerous because it involves risk. What if you go all in, and they don’t feel the same way? Then what?”

The classroom nods collectively while I’m reeling, trying to figure out if love is Wade’s dangerous word.

Incident #4 - Wednesday afternoon text

My phone buzzes while I’m getting dressed for the rehearsal dinner.

Wade

What time should I pick you up tonight?