Chapter 29

• When I sank into my chair at my assigned desk in first period, my mind began to drift. I was acutely aware that the minions were gathered at the back of the classroom, whispering and giggling about me. By the end of the lesson, I fully expected to find spitballs stuck in my hair or something even worse. But honestly, I couldn't muster the energy to care. Leonard and his crush were simply adorable. Excitement fluttered in my stomach, and I felt a warm happiness knowing he would get to experience everything I had missed.
• I had only recently entered that phase of adolescence when everything seemed to shift dramatically. The conversations with my friends had evolved; no longer were we simply exchanging play-by-play accounts of whatever sitcom had taken the spotlight or gushing over our favorite songs. Our fan-girling over movie stars had transformed into discussions about real people—people our own age within our own school. Sleepovers filled with late-night talks shifted to topics of who we liked and, equally as important, who we didn't. Last names of our crushes were carefully scribbled alongside their first names, beautifully adorned in fancy script on hidden pages within our notebooks. I envied that innocence—envied the sweet beauty of first crushes, especially when those childhood infatuations blossomed into the real deal.
• Innocence. Ha. That had been stripped away from me in mere seconds, a harsh awakening brought on by the brutality of the real world, by the pack. I was determined to do everything I could to ensure nothing jeopardized Leonard's budding relationship with that sweet girl, including keeping my father out of it. I genuinely hoped Leonard would keep his feelings to himself; no one should have to deal with my lunatic father, especially not some innocent twelve-year-old girl.