She clears her throat a little, and I wonder if she’s holding back tears. “This morning, it seemed like maybe something was wrong.”

I don’t say anything.

“Was it what I said about Zara? It’s not that I don’t want her in your room. But if your dad finds out…”

Still nothing.

So she looks at me, like she’s trying to see through my silent disguise. She can’t see through it. No one can. But still, something seems to occur to her.

“Is it something else? If you want to talk…” she whispers.

I think of telling her about the notes. The ridiculous students who won’t leave me alone.

I think of telling her about Jackson. Why going to homecoming with him is the best and the worst thing that could ever happen.

I think of telling her how exhausting it is to keep up this constant disguise, like the old Anna isn’t still a part of me.

I know I should, but my mouth won’t open.

My hands shake as I pop open the car door.

“Thanks, Mom.”

I’ll figure it out on my own, find a way to survive no matter what happens. I always have.

I take a deep breath and walk into the school.

I open my locker and cringe at the folded piece of paper sitting there waiting for me. This is starting to piss me off.

I know the truth. See you soon, Exquisite.

Fuck. Another note?

This is not olay.

Who would do this? Is it possible one of these high school boys went to New York and slept with me once? No, I’d remember a boy that young.

Not knowing is the worst. If I just knew, I could deal with it.

I’m still looking at the note when someone taps me on the shoulder.

I jump and turn to see Jackson smiling at me. Shit. I crumple the note and throw it back in my locker.

“What’s that?”

“Nothing.” I fake a smile.

“You okay?” he asks.

I press my eyes shut. I can’t hide this from him, not really. He’ll know something’s up.

“Not really. Someone’s been leaving notes in my locker.”

His eyebrows shoot up. “Like love notes or something?”

I can’t help but laugh. “Jealous?” His cheeks turn red, and he looks to the ground. This boy really knows how to make me melt from the inside out. “No. Definitely not love notes. More like hate notes.”

“Oh. I used to get those.”

“Really?”

He nods. “Marissa and Elizabeth like to get under people’s skin however they can. Don’t worry about it, I’m sure it’s nothing.”

I’d believe him if only the note hadn’t called me Exquisite. Though Marissa and her douche bag boyfriend did imply they knew more about me than everyone else.

“Anna?” Jackson says.

I look up, realizing that I’d completely zoned out there for a minute.

“I missed you on the bus,” he says. “You weren’t…avoiding me or anything, right?”

“What? No! I just woke up late. Mom drove me.”

He nods but doesn’t look completely convinced. “You sure you’re okay with last night?”

I grab his hand and intertwine my fingers in his the way he did last night, and his shoulders relax.

“It was perfect.”

You know, other than the “you hate me but don’t know it yet” thing. I can forget that for a little while, though.

And right now I really want to forget everything. Everything but the way Jackson makes me feel.

He bites his lip for a second and looks me in the eye. I think he wants to kiss me again, and honestly, there’s nothing I want more, so I take a step toward him. He leans down slowly, and when his lips press against mine, the rest of the world disappears. I’m just Anna, and he’s just Jackson. There is literally nowhere else I’d rather be.

Even though when we part, I notice that everyone within twenty feet has stopped to stare at us, I’ve never felt lighter. The light in his eyes melts me to the bone. This is exactly what I needed.

I forget about the note until fourth period, when I notice my phone has three missed calls from Sarah. Before lunch I go out into the courtyard to call her. I’d hate for her to get worried and call the police or something.

“Anna! Thank goodness. You wouldn’t answer my calls. I was worried.”

“Sorry, I’m at school. Couldn’t really pick up the phone.”

“What’s wrong? Why did you call? Was it about the dog again?”

My stomach sinks. I can’t tell Mom about the notes. They’d just make her worry for no reason. But Sarah’s kind of like my therapist. Impartial yet supportive, no matter what, because that’s her job.

“No,” I say. “Not about the dog. I just… Well, someone’s been leaving these weird notes in my locker, like threatening to expose all my secrets or something, and it was bothering me. But my friend Jackson told me he used to get them, too, so I’m sure it’s nothing.”

“Have you told the office about it?”

“No.”

“You should. They might not be able to do anything right now, but it’s best if they know it’s happening.”

“Okay.”

“What about your parents? Have you told them?”

My breath catches in my chest. No. No I haven’t told them. Is she nuts? How would that help anything?

“No,” I say. “It’s no big deal. I don’t want them to worry over nothing.”

“All right. Is everything else okay? I heard you’re going to homecoming?”

“And decorating for it.”

“That’s great!”

I look over and see Jackson standing by the door, waiting for me.

“Hey, I’ve got to go.”

“Okay. It was good to hear from you, Anna. If you have any more problems call me right away.”

“’Kay.” I hang up the phone.

Jackson steps outside and waves me forward. When I reach Jackson, I hold up the phone. “My mom. I told her about the notes, and she’s, like, freaking out.”

More lies. My stomach twists, but I can’t really explain about Sarah without making things that much more complicated.

He laughs. “Parents,” he says with a shake of his head.

Lunch is fairly uneventful. Jackson and I don’t kiss or hold hands, but things feel different. We hear a few whispered comments about us, and that honestly just makes me happy.

One, I don’t mind people talking about us being together. I want to be with him, and I’m proud of it. And two, they’re not talking about who I really am. One person calls me a slut—if they only knew—but whatever.

This new drama about Jackson and me is perfect for getting people to stop digging into my past. Who cares about who you used to be when the person you already are is so much more interesting?

Jen doesn’t say anything about “us,” but Alex keeps looking back and forth between us.

I ignore it at first, but eventually I’m fed up. “Alex! If you want to know, just ask.”

She smirks. “It doesn’t matter. Just curious.”

“Curious?” Jackson asks. Is he really that oblivious or does he ignore it on purpose?

“You two really together?”

I look to Jackson, then to Alex, and I shrug, but a shy smile spreads across my face.

Jackson is smiling, too. “We’re still figuring that out.”

Alex rolls her eyes. “Well, figure it out quick.”

“Whatever. Mind your own business,” I say, and she laughs.

The bell rings, and the four of us walk into the lobby, where I see a group of kids staring at us. Marissa and Elizabeth included.

Awesome.

“First girl you date after me, and it’s the whore. How much did you pay her?” Elizabeth says. Well, isn’t that just great. She sure seems like a keeper.

Jackson stops but says nothing. Their laughter fills the room.

I pull Jackson away from them. I’m not sure how much it bothers him, if he’s embarrassed, or if he’s still hurt by her. They dated longer than they’ve been broken up. Maybe he’s still sad, or something. I don’t know.

“You okay?” I ask him once we’re free of the stares and laughter.

“Fine.”

“I’m sure they’re just jealous,” I say. “Especially Elizabeth.”

“Anna.” He puts on his own version of a fake smile. “I said I’m fine.”