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is?”
    “Boyfriend.” Another nervous laugh. “No. No boyfriend. I’ve never had a boyfriend. Not that I wouldn’t one. I mean, yeah, I would like one, but it’s … complicated.”
    He stares down with those weird honey-colored eyes of him. “Wow, talk about word vomit. I don’t know why I just shared that with you … and now I’m nervously rambling, so I am going to shut up now.” I have never shared so much with anyone before except Liv, but there’s something about Cardelian that makes me want to tell him all of my secrets.
    “I am glad you shared.” He grins at me. “I’m also glad that you don’t object to having a boyfriend.”
    I swallow hard not sure of what to do, I suddenly want to kiss him and wonder, Does he want to kiss me? His body language is telling me, yes, but I am probably overreacting because he is just being nice to me. I decide that is it. Nobody wants to go out with me, let alone kiss me.
    “Hey, Valentine, you’ve got to see this. Buck just got dared to take shots of pond water, and we’re taking bets on how long it’s going to take him to puke,” a guy from the football team calls to Cardelian.
    “I’d better go intervene. I might be the ‘star’quarterback, but I am nothing without my team . I really glad I got to know you better, Eden.”
    His hand brushes against mine, and my body goes hot from his touch.
    “Maybe I can call you sometime?”
    “Valentine, come on! You’ve got to see this. Buck is losing his lunch.”
    He sighs, blowing a golden curl off his forehead. I want to give him my number, but I just stand there dumbstruck. “Okay, well then, I guess I will just catch you in school,” he says, before turning and jogging off.

Chapter Three
    Gym class is a barbaric notion—even more so when it’s given first thing in the morning. First period is filled with the losers and outcasts of the school. It’s a sick, cruel joke that the faculty plays on the weak and simple-minded. It is also how Eddie the Pits got his nickname from putting him in gym class first thing and turning on the water works. He doesn’t have a fighting chance at the dodgeball game the coach insists on playing.
    This is why I refuse to participate in forced physical education. It’s my silent protest against the unjustness that plagues today’s youth.
    A red ball pelts Eddie in the face, the spot turns an angry shade of red instantly. “You’re out.” Coach yells at Eddie, “Go get ice and sit down.” Eddie gets a pack from the cooler and lumbers over to me. A drop of his sweat lands on my cheek. Ewww. He looks at me and grunts something incoherent.
    I wipe the sweat off my cheek, and go back to working on my novel, but I don’t get far because the deep-throated sobs coming from Eddie is making it hard to concentrate. Releasing a long sigh, I blow my bangs off my forehead.
    “Are you okay Eddie?” I set my notebook and pen down next to me.
    Eddie stares straight ahead, his large bottom lip quivering. For someone so big, he sure is a baby.
    “It’s okay, Eddie. No one cares that you suck at dodge ball.” Lie. The elite of this school is known for picking apart the weak, perhaps because it’s such a small school and they have nothing better to do with their time.
    Eddie’s face is starting to turn purple.
    “Here, give me that. You’re doing it wrong.” I hold out my hand, and Eddie deposits the wet plastic bag into my palm. I snap the inside contents and shake it until it starts to grow cold. “Now keep it here.” I press the cold pack on his bruising cheek. A big, fat tears fall down his round cheeks. “Don’t cry. Come on, they will see you.” I nod over my shoulder, and sure enough, a little rat is straining to see what is happening in our direction.
    “Eden nice,” Eddie mumbles. “Eddie like Eden.” He smiles, but the tears still fall, mixing with the snot that is running down his nose.
    I cringe. “Eddie, you really shouldn’t be crying. Does it really hurt