THE BOY WHO HATED ME

THE INVITATION

By lunchtime, the rumors had gotten worse.

Everywhere I went, people were whispering.

Some stared at me like I had committed a crime. Others looked curious.

Apparently, being seen in a car with Adrian Black was enough to turn the entire school against me.

I dropped my tray on the cafeteria table with a sigh.

“I hate this school already.”

Maya sat across from me.

“It’ll calm down,” she said hopefully.

“When?”

“In… a few days?”

I raised an eyebrow.

“That doesn’t sound very convincing.”

Before she could respond, the cafeteria suddenly became quieter.

Not completely silent.

But quiet enough that I knew exactly what was happening.

“Don’t look,” Maya whispered.

Too late.

I looked.

Adrian had just walked into the cafeteria with his group of friends.

As usual, people immediately started watching him.

Girls whispered.

Guys moved out of his way.

It was like he owned the place.

I rolled my eyes and focused on my food.

“Just ignore him,” I muttered.

“Good idea,” Maya agreed.

Unfortunately…

Adrian had other plans.

A shadow suddenly fell across our table.

“Mind if I join you?”

I looked up.

“No.”

He sat down anyway.

His friends stood nearby, clearly entertained.

“What do you want?” I asked.

Adrian rested his arms on the table casually.

“I came to invite you somewhere.”

I blinked.

“Invite me?”

“Party tonight.”

Maya nearly choked on her drink.

“A party?” I repeated.

“Yeah,” he said. “My house.”

Of course it was.

I shook my head immediately.

“No.”

Adrian didn’t look surprised.

“You didn’t even think about it.”

“I don’t need to.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re the one inviting me.”

His friends laughed quietly.

Adrian leaned forward slightly.

“You’re scared.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“I’m not scared.”

“Then prove it.”

I crossed my arms.

“I don’t have anything to prove to you.”

For a moment, Adrian studied my face.

Then he smiled again.

“Fine.”

He stood up.

“But you’ll change your mind.”

“Not happening.”

He started walking away.

Then suddenly he stopped and turned back.

“Oh,” he said casually.

“Everyone in school will be there tonight.”

I frowned.

“So?”

“And they’re all expecting you.”

My eyes widened.

“You told people I was coming?!”

His smirk returned.

“See you tonight, Lena.”

Then he walked away with his friends.

I stared after him in disbelief.

Maya slowly turned toward me.

“You’re going… right?”

I groaned.

“Now I might have to.”