Free Charity Rising (Charity Series Book 2) by DeAnna Kinney Page B

my car and waited. When I spotted Jackson walking through the parking lot, I hesitated until he was by his car before approaching.
    “Jackson!”
    He sighed. “What, Charity?”
    “What are you doing? Levi didn’t hit you today.”
    “Yes he did.”
    “That’s impossible. Levi was with me when that fight broke out. We were behind the building making out when we heard the commotion.”
    He looked confused. “Wel I wondered, but he did hit me.”
    “What wil it take for you to remember differently?”
    “Hmm, wel , I might’ve forgotten to put my contacts back in after my shower after gym class, and there are more than a few guys who have
    reason to be mad at me right now.”
    “And what would it take for you to tel the principal that?”
    “Another date with Missy.”
    “Done!”
    “Shouldn’t you check with her first? She hasn’t spoken to me since Prom.”
    “She adores me. She’l do it if I ask her to. You just treat her good. I’l get you the date, but it’s up to you after that. So, is it a deal?”
    “It’s a deal.” We shook hands and walked away smiling.
    While I drove home I was both happy and confused. I was happy that Levi would no longer be suspended, but I was also confused as to how
    Jackson could’ve mistaken Levi in the first place. For a while now they’ve been friends. Maybe he real y did forget to put his contacts back in.
    After I was showered and dressed, I went downstairs and heated up a ham and cheese Hot Pocket in the microwave. I was in the process of
    eating it, walking into my room, when I noticed Levi sneaking in through my window. “Levi, shouldn’t you be with your parents right now? Aren’t they meeting with the principal?”
    “Yes, but he wanted to speak to them alone.”
    “Wel , you don’t have to worry about Mr. Lewis suspending you. I talked to Jackson and he didn’t real y see you after al .”
    “What? What did you do?”
    “Wel , let’s just say he had a change of heart. He likes you, Levi. He said he didn’t put his contacts back in after gym so maybe he had
    mistaken.”
    “And did he tel this to the principal?”
    “He said he was going to.”
    “Hmm. I’m guessing I have you to thank for this new turn of events.”
    “You don’t seem happy. Did you want to get suspended for something you didn’t do?”
    “Don’t be ridiculous. Of course I’m happy. I just wish you would’ve let me handle it. I’d rather you not get involved.”
    “You’re welcome.”
    He laughed. “Thanks.” I walked into his arms and let his lips thank me properly. At first his lips were eager, his hands in my hair as he trailed
    soft kisses down my neck. At once he froze as if he just remembered something important.
    “Levi, are you al right?”
    “Um, I should probably go.” He backed away, as if I had suddenly developed Chicken Pox, and headed for the window.
    “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing. I-I should be getting back to school. I want to know how the meeting’s going.”
    “Oh—okay. I’l see you tomorrow.”
    “I’l see ya.”
    He didn’t even kiss me goodbye. So weird, but unfortunately it was a behavior I was becoming accustom to.
    At school the next day the buzz was inescapable. Everyone was talking about the food fight. But more alarming was how everyone was
    wondering why Levi had started it. He’d only been at our school a short time but everyone knew he was a great guy and not one to start a fight.
    “Hey kitten, guess what!” Levi said, wrapping his arms around me as he approached me in the hal way after my first class.
    “You seem happy. What is it?”
    “The principal isn’t going to suspend me after al .” My mouth fel open as I gaped at him in disbelief. “It seems that Jackson didn’t put his
    contacts in after gym class. He said he wasn’t total y sure it was me. Isn’t that great?”
    “Levi, are you for real?”
    “I know. I was so relieved.”
    “Levi! I already knew that.”
    “You did? Who told