‘Hey, Melissa. Wait up!’
Melissa stopped walking and spun around, almost knocking over another student with her school bag.
Jared was waving his arms above his head so she could pick him out from the crowd. Everyone was trying to get to their next class before the second bell went.
‘How’s it going?’ He tried to catch his breath as he jogged up. ‘I’ve been looking for you.’
Melissa felt awkward. The last time they’d been so close Nadia was yelling at them and he chose to walk off rather than defend her. Now here he was, acting as if nothing had happened. She wasn’t impressed, even if he was Jared Collins.
‘I’m fine. I’ve got to get to physics.’ She pulled her phone from her pocket and checked the time: Mrs Lawley didn’t tolerate lateness.
‘Look, I just wanted to say —’ Jared shifted o
