Chapter 9. More Things To Worry About

Lila’s POV

Soft golden morning light poured through the window of my bedroom. My chest was tight with nerves even though it should have felt cozy and serene. It wasn’t just any day. It was so cold, I sat on my bed and then fell back on it still feeling sleepy. My eyes popped open when I remembered that I had physics class for the first period. I looked in the bedside mirror and I looked like a mess. A total mess.

I wished I could conceal the anxiety that was brewing inside of me as I rubbed at the dark circles under my eyes.

I was still worried, just as I had been ever since the rumors about Ryder and me began. My hands were shaking when I picked out my clothes, but I had to get ready for school.

Mom wouldn’t want me to stay back home.

She said I needed new friends. If only she knew.

Mingling with the crowd was what I wanted to do today. I decided to wear black jeans and my comforting well-worn and secure gray hoodie. Nothing attention-seek