Free Tight Knit by Allie Brennan Page B

gnawing at me but I should have no reason to feel guilty. I’m the one that was lied to. By Deacon, by Janna. 
    By Nan... 
    I don’t have any time to dwell on my revelation that everyone I know is lying to me because as soon as I step out of the door I feel him. 
    Worst. Day. Ever.
    “Girls spend an inordinate amount of time in the bathroom, don’t they?” Lachlan is leaning against the wall. He’s so laid back and I hate him. Doesn’t he care about anything? 
    Okay, fine I’m jealous. At this moment, I’m wound so tight I can feel the edges of my body and soul start to fray. I will all of my tears to dry up because I can’t let him see them. He probably thinks I am such a baby. I’m totally a baby. 
    “You know what inordinate means, good for you,” I mumble and stalk off. He hurries to catch up and grabs my elbow. Not roughly, like Janna had, but gently. He doesn’t yank me to a stop but slows me down until I have no choice but to stop and turn to face him. 
    I’m shocked to see the cocky smile gone and in its place pursed lips, a furrowed brow and hurt look in his eyes. 
    “Just because I’ve been to Juvie doesn’t mean I’m stupid.” 
    He moves with me when I try to turn away keeping his eyes on mine. I shouldn’t have said that. If anyone is stupid it’s me, not knowing that my boyfriend and best friend were hooking up right under my nose. That my boyfriend was just plain hooking up. I’m suddenly really ashamed of what I did with Deacon. I can’t believe I almost had sex with him. I was just a game. And here I am judging Lachlan. 
    “Sorry.” I force the corners of my mouth up and he returns the gesture.
    “Hey, that’s my line.” 
    I smile genuinely that time and make my way to my next class. He doesn’t follow me. 
    “I know where you live, Hat Girl,” Lachlan yells down the hallway and I want to die. Everyone turns to gawk. 
    “And I’m taking you out tonight. See you at seven.” 
    I finally get the nerve to glance back, but Lachlan is gone. I crack my wrists. 
    Arrogant jerk , I think but a small smile bites at the corner of my mouth.

CHAPTER TEN
    Lachlan
     
    I’m not sure what possessed me to scream at her down the hallway. Maybe because I knew it would embarrass her and I feel like she could use a little more practice. Maybe because she’s so damn serious about everything I wanted to make a joke. Maybe I like her. Maybe. 
    There is something about her I can’t shake. I don’t know if I’m attracted to her, not that she isn’t attractive; she just isn’t my usual type. 
    My usual type being what? Drug addled sex-fiend? 
    I laugh to myself as I walk to class and startle a freshman walking toward me. Her eyes go wide and she moves to the other side of the hall.
    “Better hurry, Sweetie you’re gunna be late.” I smile at the girl. She’s cute. It’s also cute how her mouth turns into a startled ‘O’ as she tries to think of something to say. I just keep walking. I have no time for these girls. The coy games are lost on me. I like a girl who can think on her feet; has snappy comebacks. 
    Like Talia. 
    No, I can’t like Talia. She’s a mess and I’m a mess. What a disaster. 
    She does have a great ass though.
    I round the corner on the way to my locker and am ambushed by three girls. 
    “Lachlan, right?” the blonde one says rolling her eyes up and pointing at me like she had to think about my name. 
    Nice try, short skirt, I think letting my eyes take in the length of her. She’s way too skinny. 
    I nod and her two minions giggle. 
    Blonde stares. So I hold my hands out to the side of my body and scrunch my shoulders. 
    “Is that all?” I ask. All three of them exchange a glance that they seem to understand, but I don’t know what it means. 
    “Um, no,” the brunette chimes in. “We were wondering about Hat Girl?” 
    I feel like I’m in a different universe whenever I talk to anyone in school. 
    “What about her?” 
    I’m