Chapter 8

Ava

Imagine waking up knowing that when you leave your house, your whole life will change.

Today is that day for me—the day I will finally be noticed at school. By everyone. My nerves are eating away at me from the inside out.

I lie in bed for a few minutes before rolling out and landing on my fluffy white rug. ~It’s time to push myself out of my comfort zone. If I am going to be noticed, I need to look my best, to make sure that Hunter doesn’t have another reason to give me the silent treatment.~

In the bathroom, I wash my hair with mango-and-peach shampoo and conditioner. My nerves threaten to knock me off my feet, so I take deep breaths and lean against the wall for support. When I’m calm enough, I finish my shower and head to my room, slamming the door behind me as if it can shut out the pain that I am feeling.

There, I grab my phone and punch in the password with shaky fingers. I put on some music to distract myself. I spend half an hour trying to fix my hair and makeup the way Kathryn did, and then I pick out a white crop top and a pink skater skirt that falls to the middle of my thighs. To finish the look off, I slide on some white ankle boots with a heel.

I say that I picked the outfit, but in truth, Hunter texted me earlier about what I should wear, knowing I would pick jeans so that I’d feel more comfortable.

Giving myself a shaky nod, I grab my schoolbag—a white tote that Hunter also picked to match my outfit—place my phone in it, and head downstairs. But in the kitchen, I am surprised to see my mum sitting at our makeshift table with a coffee in hand.

She glances up and then does a double take.

I squirm under her gaze. ~If this is how I feel around my own mother, then what am I going to do when I’m in front of the whole school?~

“Ava?”

Mum questioning me is not a good sign. I look at her nervously, wondering if she hates the way I look, the way I am dressed, the way I changed my hair. So many questions are running through my head as I watch her expression.

“Yeah, Mum?” It comes out just above a whisper, but I know she heard me. Nerves eat away at me as I wait for her to respond.

“You look so different, more confident in your skin.”

“Is that a good thing?” I can hear the tremor in my voice.

“In this case, yes, it is. Oh, Ava, you look gorgeous—stunning even.”

I blush and mutter a quick “thanks” before grabbing breakfast. Five minutes pass before my phone goes off, signaling that Hunter is waiting for me outside. I grab my bag, hug my mum goodbye—it’s been ages since I’ve been able to do that—and head out the door.

Hunter came in a matte black Lamborghini today. I guess he wanted to make sure that we get noticed, but Hunter always gets noticed. Still, the car is gorgeous.

~I might marry this guy just for his cars.~

~Wait, what? I did not just say that.~

I am startled from my thoughts by Hunter pressing the car horn.

I hop into the car before turning to him, unsure how he might react to me. Yesterday I felt fine, but today I feel hostile toward him, especially after what happened at the mall. Maybe it’s just my nerves, but I don’t ever want to see that side of him again.

Hunter doesn’t look like he did on Saturday. His jaw isn’t clenched, and though his eyes are guarded, they don’t seem cold. I guess he has cooled off.

His face has hard lines across it showing how his face is always pulled down in a frown or set with his jaw clenched and his mouth in a thin line with no emotion on his face.

“You know you were really rude Saturday.” He just smirks at me. But his smirk doesn’t seem to reach his eyes and I can see they are well guarded.

“Wow, princess, you look good,” he says with a wink, which makes me gag.

~How am I supposed to act like his girlfriend? He is such a jerk, not to mention the number of girls he has had.~

I turn to look out the window as Hunter pulls out my driveway.

The ride is slow and awkward. Mr. Grumpy Arse doesn’t want to talk to me, and he seems uninterested in my attempts at conversation. That’s fine by me, since I’m not really in the mood to talk to him either.

Feeling my nerves kicking in again, I reach over to put on some music, but my hand is rudely slapped away. I yelp, more surprised than hurt, and snatch my hand back.

I give Hunter my best death glare and then try again. Knowing what to expect this time, I’m quicker and manage to get the radio going. Hunter shoots me a glare in return but leaves the music on anyway.

~Yeah, that’s what I thought, sucker!~

I do a happy dance in my head, but then we turn into the school and my mood changes instantly. Feeling eyes turn toward us, I begin to panic. I remember that while Hunter always drives flashy cars, he’s never brought anyone with him.

~I can’t do this. What was I thinking? Nothing, that’s what. For a “nerd,” that wasn’t smart.~

Hunter notices me panicking but does nothing to help. He just rolls his eyes and steps out of the car.

~That rude mother…~

I am cut off from my thoughts when my passenger door suddenly opens. Hunter stands there, his hand outstretched.

I have to do this. There’s no backing out.

Grabbing Hunter’s hand and praying he doesn’t notice how sweaty mine is becoming, I let him guide me out of the car. As I do, I see the confusion and shock on people’s faces. But after my makeover, they don’t seem to know who I am. I’m not surprised; my own mother didn’t recognize—why would a bunch of people who have ignored me all their lives?

Hunter wraps his arm around my waist, his other hand carrying my bag, and I feel my body stiffen at his touch. I try to ignore my nerves and act normal as we walk to the front of the school, as if we are an actual couple.

~Guess this is it—show time.~