Page 36

Clang! Clang! Clang! The sharp ring of a cowbell echoes through the classroom.

I can’t help snickering at our teacher’s creative way to silence us. Fairhope isn’t exactly cattle country. Aside from a handful of apple orchards and maple farms, you’d be hard-pressed to find a cow anywhere near this town. Yet Ms. Mallory loves that ridiculous cowbell. According to her, we’re the herd, she’s the farmer, and we should remember that and follow her lead.

The classroom settles almost immediately, knowing that is their cue to shut up and pay attention.

“Let’s all get back to business, shall we?” She sets the bell back on her desk. “To keep things fair, pair up alphabetically, starting with A, B, and so on. You have five minutes to find your lab partner.”

For the next five minutes, the room dissolves into organized chaos. Stools scrape against the floor, backpacks are tossed onto benches, and everyone rushes to figure out where they’re supposed to be sitting.

I don’t bother moving. Not when a new idea just wormed its way into my head for my next horror story.

A blood-soaked barn. Hay scattered across the floor. A pitchfork standing upright beside the body. Perfect.

I hurry to scribble everything into my notebook before the inspiration disappears, but I’m momentarily distracted when the scent of honeysuckle and green apple shampoo drifts into my space.

“Looks like you’re stuck with me, Morgan.” Milo leans against the lab counter, close enough that I can count every golden fleck dancing in his eyes. “You okay with that?”

“Hmm.” I tap my pencil against my notebook. “I think you might need to repeat kindergarten, Fletcher.”

“Oh, yeah? How so?”

“Your ABCs are looking a little rusty. I’m pretty sure that you should be sitting next to Mikayla.” I tilt my head toward our classmate two rows behind us, who is currently painting her nails with White-Out, completely oblivious to everything else.

A laugh escapes him. Warm and easy. It does something strange to my insides. Enough for a smile to rise to my lips before I can stop it.

“No, I’m pretty sure I’m supposed to sit with you,” he says, digging his heels in, even though he knows damn well he’s wrong.

“Come on, Milo. You can sit with whoever you want,” Misty grumbles, and I kick myself for completely forgetting she was sitting beside me. “Just pick someone else and let me stay with Max.”

“Sorry, Misty. Rules are rules.” He shrugs, not looking one bit apologetic. “Besides, if I could pick anyone, I’d still choose Max. She’s always my pick.” He winks at me.

God, why does that wink always have the butterflies in my stomach taking flight? Stupid Milo Fletcher with his smiles and winks. It’s like he knows they’re my kryptonite.

Argh.

“You suck, Milo.” Misty sulks as she picks up her things and walks over to an empty lab station.

“That wasn’t very nice. I thought you lived to make other people happy,” I tease just as Milo takes Misty’s spot beside me.

“Sometimes I prefer making myself happy for a change. Is that a crime?” he says, his gaze lingering on mine long enough to send goosebumps racing over my skin.

What the hell is happening to me?

“Whatever floats your boat. No skin off my back,” I reply dismissively before going back to my notes.

“Do you want me to switch with Misty?” he asks softly.

Do I? No. No, I don’t. And that’s the problem.

“I’ll switch back if you want me to,” he says, placing his hand over mine and making my heart leap into my throat. Instead of answering him, I stare down at the page and shake my head. “Good. It’s settled then. You’re stuck with me.”

Even though I’m not looking at him, I hear the smile in his voice.

I can tell he’s about to say something else when another voice cuts in. “You’re in my seat.”

I glance up from my notebook to find Jalen Carter standing there, arms folded across his chest, as he declares, “You should be back there with the rest of the Reds and the jocks.”

Milo straightens to his full height, forcing Jalen to tilt his chin up a little, and retorts, “I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.” He points at me. “Max.” Then at himself. “Milo.” A grin tugs at the corner of his mouth. “The alphabet seems pretty clear to me.”