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front of the class. “He told me to see you for the notes from last week. He’s making me take the test tomorrow.” Christian rolled his eyes. “So he said to ask Tessa Crimson for the materials. And ...” He shoved his hands in the pockets of his corduroys. “Here I am. Sort of embarrassing myself by rambling.”
    Aw, it was nice of Mr. Powell to recommend me. Even though I was an A student, I was far from a brain. I’d certainly have to send him a polite thank-you note. I looked appreciatively to his podium.
    “Tessa?” Christian asked.
    I quickly turned back to him, realizing that I hadn’t answered. I shook my ponytail to clear my head. “My notes, right?”
    He nodded and his grin widened, revealing a perfect set of teeth. “If you wouldn’t mind.”
    “No, of course not. They’re in my locker and I’m going there now, but—”
    “Great. I’ll follow you.” He stepped back, motioning his hands for me to go.
    Tentatively, I stood. Aiden would be waiting at my locker for me. How would he feel if I had a new pup at my heels when I met him? This felt odd. And I did not like odd.
    Ducking my head, I walked forward into the near-empty corridor. This part of the building only had a few classrooms, so it was quiet, other than the squeaks that my sneakers were making on the shiny linoleum tiles. I suddenly felt a little self-conscious, wishing I wasn’t wearing my shorter cheerleading skirt. But Aiden had wrinkled my good one. I smiled to myself, remembering.
    “So,” Christian said from behind me. “Cheerleading, huh?”
    I straightened my posture and looked politely over my shoulder at him. “Yep.”
    His tone was not lost on me. Being a cheerleader meant getting used to airhead jokes and other stereotypes. That was why I felt it was so important for the Smitten Kittens to keep their dignity intact at all times. Stupid skirt.
    “I’ll have to admit I’m surprised to get study notes from a person that spends time on the top of a human pyramid. I expected more of the chess club type—”
    “I play chess.” I swirled to face him. I was pretty sure my bloomers flashed because his grin became a full-on smile. Was he trying to ruffle my pom-poms?
    “Really?” he asked, tilting his head and looking me over carefully.
    “Yeah.” My cheeks felt warm. I didn’t like defending my intelligence. Turning slowly, I began to walk forward again. My eyebrows pulled together as I contemplated. Something was off about this boy. Something unusual.
    We turned down the busy main hallway, and I immediately spotted Aiden, his head poking out above the rest of the student population. He was resting his forehead against my locker, looking bored. I smiled. Seeing him always made me smile. Forgetting my uncomfortable shadow, I jogged through the crowd and wrapped my arms around my boyfriend’s long body from behind. He jumped but then laughed before turning in my arms.
    “Hi, baby,” he whispered, needing to duck way down to kiss me.
    “You smell nice,” I said, getting up on my tiptoes to peck him again. He’d just gotten out of phys ed. The boy wore sweat better than any cologne.
    “Mm ...” His hand lightly patted my rear. “You know I love this skirt?”
    “I do. I wanted to wear—”
    Someone cleared their throat behind me. Right. Notes.
    Aiden’s smile faltered as he straightened up. Feeling awkward, I pursed my lips and then dropped my arms from around him.
    “Aiden. This is Christian,” I said, pointing to him. “Mr. Powell sent him to me to get history notes.”
    My boyfriend immediately reached out his hand to Christian. “I’m Aiden Wilder. I haven’t seen you before. Are you new?”
    Christian’s smile looked forced as he shook hands. “Yeah. We just moved, and I transferred in today from West Washington.”
    “Ah, a Duck,” Aiden said, moving to put his arm around me. “Well, welcome to Wildcats’ territory.” Aiden was being so polite! He’d sure come a long way with his manners.