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protect myself.
    I roll my eyes. “Whatever. Think what you want. I gotta go.”
    I stand, throw my satchel on my shoulder and turn back to address him. “What makes you think we’re friends?”
    I hear Rick call my name as I walk away, but I don’t look back. No way do I need the new guy knowing any of my secrets. I’ll have to make sure I’m more careful with the Stew situation so the demon doesn’t suspect there’s something still going on between me and Stew. 
    Because if the new guy can see through me, so will everyone else.
     
     
     

Chapter Five
    Abstract Art is the only course I’m really excited about on my schedule. I wish I could major in it, but my parents would flip their shit if I did. Here I can express my darker side—my inner most demon fears. Dr. Woods, one of the main art professors, just refers to it as soulful and slaps an A on my work, yet never questions where I draw my dark inspiration from. This is also one of the only courses where people willingly talk to me. Even if it’s only questions on how to make their project better so they can score a good grade from the hard-to-please Woods.
    I find myself back at my old faithful corner desk and peer out the window, while I wait for the other students to come in. I try not to make eye contact as they pour into the class room because I don’t want to scare anyone off. Believe it or not, I like to have people around.
    The chair next to mine scrapes across the floor as it slides back and the table rumbles slightly under the weight of a big pile of books. I breathe a sigh of relief. Having a partner this semester will be awesome. 
    I’m shocked to see so many empty desks around when I scope out the class. This person intended to sit next to me, since there are so many other places to pick from. My most friendly smile goes on display as I turn to greet my tablemate. 
    My jaw drops when I look at my partner. It’s Stew. His legs stretch out under the desk as he scoots his chair closer to me. Has he changed his mind? My stomach tenses and my palms grow clammy. Holy crap! This is it. He’s going to let everyone know we’re together. Guilt fills every inch of me for believing he was a worthless user.
    I can’t tear my eyes off him. If we weren’t in class right now, I’d leap into his arms and kiss him with all my might, but since Woods doesn’t tolerate any funny business, it probably won’t fly. The smell of cinnamon and soap wafts off of him and my fingers ache to touch his skin. It’s been too long and I’ve missed the feel of him. 
    “Hey.” He wears a sheepish grin as he cradles my hand in his under the desk. Fire courses through me, and suddenly it’s hard to breathe. I can’t look him in the eye so I focus on the little black bruises Stew has on his right bicep. It looks like a finger marks, like someone grabbed him really hard. I wonder which one of his football buddies did that during practice. “I picked up this class as my elective since I knew you’d be here. I thought this would be the best way for us to talk.” 
    The best way? I give him a lukewarm smile while my heart thumps against my ribs. It’s a good start, but I’m not giving in so easily. “I’ve missed you, Nat. I’ve been to the tree house every night, hoping you’d come. Meet me tonight? I can’t take not seeing you. It’s been hell.”
    His thumb rubs the skin on the back of my hand. Every nerve in my body wants to meet him in that tree house, but my head is screaming for me to stand my ground. “I told you what I want.”
    “Come on, Nat. Please, be reasonable,” he says in a hushed whisper while he looks around the room. 
    “Reasonable?” I say through clenched teeth and try to pull away from his grip, but he tightens his long fingers around my hand.  “You think I should be okay that you’re too embarrassed to be seen with me?”
    He furrows his brow. “I’m not embarrassed of you.”
    Maybe I should give him a chance? “Great,