Maverick (Maverick Academy Series) (30 page)

“What? I didn’t tell her anything. I didn’t tell anyone about your parents. Why would I?”

“Then how did she know? Tell me that!” she cried.

Nolan grabbed Whit’s hand and squeezed
. “I don’t know how Darby found out, but it wasn’t me. Believe me! I didn’t tell her,” he pleaded.

Whit pushed his hand away
. “I’ve got to go. I’ve got an exam.” She jumped up and fled, but Nolan caught her arm.

“Whit, I didn’t do it!” he
repeated.

She stared at him for a second longer before turning and walking away. The tears started falling before she
’d reached the hallway. She felt like an emotional train wreck. Maybe he hadn’t told, but then how had Darby found out? That was the question she needed answered. She wanted to believe him, and he had sounded convincing but could she trust her instincts, or were they just wishful thinking?

*************************

By the end of classes, Whit felt exhausted. Her brain was fried from exams, and her body ached. Nolan had several classes with her, so that had made her day even harder. They’d had to sit beside each other during the Biology exam, and she wondered if she’d even completed the test. It was a blur. Most of that class she’d spent trying to ignore his presence, when all she’d really been doing was watching him from the corner of her eye. He kept glancing at her with sad eyes, and had even whispered to her a couple of times. He’d told her to trust him and believe in him. When she’d stayed silent, she could tell she’d hurt his feelings. After class, he had walked out, and hadn’t spoken to her since.

During Mind, Whit told Mrs. McFaddin about the dream.
She could tell the dream worried her teacher. She had let McFaddin read her dream journal, but like she’d known, there wasn’t much they could do. Whit asked if she could get a list of all the schools like Maverick so she could look them up, maybe see something on their websites that would look familiar. McFaddin had hesitated and explained that information like that was confidential. But she’d finally relented and said she would put the request to Mr. Tolman, and see what happened. Whit felt a little hope that maybe she could do something to help those girls. If she knew where the attack was going to take place, maybe they could stop it.

Once back in her room, she started packing for holiday break.
Nalini was also getting ready to go. She’d told Whit that her family went on a trip every year during Christmas, and this year they were going to Mexico. She seemed excited about warm weather and wearing her bikini. The two of them packed and chattered about unimportant things, like music and movies. Whit never discussed Darby, Nolan or her dreams with Nalini, and enjoyed spending some time alone with her roommate for once.

She
met up with Rory before heading to dinner, and they walked down to sit at a table with Mark, where they discussed their holiday plans. Mark mentioned that he was going to his grandmother’s in Florida, while Rory was headed to Colorado to ski. Whit had a funny feeling she’d had this conversation before. She shook her head to clear it before looking about the cafeteria. She spotted Darby and Nalini sitting with a bunch of guys. Whit was immediately filled with fury. She wanted to rip Darby’s head off, but decided it was enough for now to glare in her direction. Her eyes drifted to another table close by and there was Nolan, who wasn’t talking but staring at Whit with frustration. As Whit continued to watch, Nolan jumped up, grabbed his tray, and stomped across the cafeteria. He stopped directly in front of Whit and started yelling about trust and how disappointed he was in her. How he didn’t understand. Why would she believe he would do something like that? The longer he yelled, the more irritated he looked. Finally, he turned, walked directly to Darby and grabbed her hand. He pulled Darby over to Whit and glared at her until she started talking.

“Nolan didn’t tell me
,” she said quietly.

“So how’d you know?” Whit demanded.

When Darby remained silent, Nolan nudged her in the ribs. “I looked at your file, okay?” she muttered.

All of a sudden Whit remembered that Darby worked in the office. She had access to all the student files, although she most definitely wasn’t supposed to be looking. “How could you do that to me? Do you know how much it hurt?”
she shouted, furious.

The cafeteria noise stopped and everyone focused on the conflict between Whit and Darby. Whit stood up and got in Darby’s face.

“You are the worst person I have ever met and I won’t forget this. Remember, what goes around comes around,” Whit sneered before returning to her seat. She peeked at Darby, who actually looked a bit worried, but the other girl finally turned and stormed off, leaving Nolan standing there alone.

“
I’m sorry. I should’ve believed you,” Whit said quietly. She glanced at his face and saw the anger and hurt. She reached for his hand, but he moved away so she couldn’t touch him.

He motioned for Whit to follow him outside.
Once there, he looked at her sadly. “You’re never going to trust me again, are you?”

“You’ve not earned my trust back yet, so I guess I just assumed the worst.
I’m sorry about that.”

“It’s fine,” he waved her apology off with his hand. “B
ut . . .”

“But what?”

“I
’ve really been trying to prove to you how much I like you and that I wouldn’t hurt you again. Just makes me sad that you automatically assumed the worst about me. It makes me wonder if you’re ever going to trust me. I have this feeling that you’re not.” He said with sad eyes that were focused completely on her. “I guess I’m just not sure where we go from here.”

Whit didn’t know what to say.
She didn’t trust him, but he hadn’t earned it back yet. She felt bad about thinking the worst of him, but she was going on his past actions. He seemed really upset and confused about his feelings. It made her feel confused. Was she going to be able to trust him? She didn’t know. But she was starting to think maybe they needed a break from each. Some time to clear their minds, plus it’d give her a chance to decide about Nolan.

“Maybe we just need a break from each other,” she suggested looking into his eyes.

“I don’t want a break. But then again, I want you to believe that I can be a good guy,” he frowned. “I’ll do what you want, though. If you want a break, I’ll leave you alone.”

Whit noticed that he looked both hurt and a little bit angry.
“I guess, I just feel it’s for the best. Give us both some time to think.” She glanced up into his face, thinking how sad she felt that she wouldn’t see or talk to him for three weeks, but knew she needed that time to decide.

“
Okay, whatever you want.”

Whit noticed he avoided looking at her and could tell he was sad, but trying to look indifferent.
Before she could say anything more, he surprised her by leaving.

“
I guess I’ll see you around after break then,” he said, then turned and walked towards the dorms.

Chapter 36

Holiday break had officially started, but Whit felt miserable. Mona was due to pick her up at any minute. She’d finished packing earlier in the day, after classes. The final game of Dark Conquest had been played and the new champions were a team named the Untouchables. Nolan’s team had lost. She’d heard that they’d captured two, while the Untouchables had captured three.

Whit wanted to find Nolan and apologize again, but
she’d been the one to suggest the break. So why did she feel so heartbroken then? He’d become important to her, one of her best friends, and now she wouldn’t talk to him for several weeks.

She
glanced around the room once more to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything. Nalini had left about an hour earlier, and Ellie and Rory had followed soon after. Just then, Mona stuck her head in the door and called her name, before zipping across the room and hugging her tightly. Whit felt Mona pull back and look her over.

“You okay, honey?”

“Yeah, it’s just been a rough few days,” Whit said before hugging Mona again. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Me too. You ready to go?” Mona asked, then grabbed Whit’s suitcase when she saw her nod. “Just think, three weeks without school! Whatever will you do
?” she joked.

Whit grabbed her backpack and walked with Mona down the stairs.
In the parking lot, she remembered the dream she’d had about this day. She glanced around and noticed several students shoving suitcases into cars and hugging each other goodbye. She heard people talking about holiday plans or getting together during the break. Mona pointed toward the car and headed in that direction, carrying the suitcase. Whit shivered, noticing how cold the air was, then started walking to Mona’s car. A hand tapped her shoulder before she had taken two steps. Without turning around, Whit knew it was Nolan. He was smiling, although his eyes looked sad. It was exactly like her dream.

“I just wanted to tell
you bye before you left,” he said, glancing at the ground. “Hope you have a good break.”

“Yeah, you too.
I guess I’ll see you when we get back to school,” Whit said sadly.

She wanted to hug and kiss him, but
she’d said she wanted a break from him. Looking at him, she started to feel herself tearing up. No, she wouldn’t cry in front of him.

“I
’ve got to go, my mom and sister are here. Bye, Whit.” He waved then started to walk away.

Whit glanced at Mona waiting by the car, looking between her and Nolan questioningly.
This was exactly like her dream had been, but then she remembered how rotten she’d felt. How much she’d wished she could just go after him. Without over thinking it, she did just that, running after Nolan. “Nolan, wait!”

He turned
. “Yeah?”

“I’m sorry about everything. I was wrong, I don’t want a break.
I don’t want to go three weeks without talking to you,” she pleaded.

Nolan stared at her for a second
, scratching his head like he was thinking it over. Suddenly he grinned. “We might be able to work something out, but I don’t know. I mean, why would a man whore like me want date somebody like you?” He laughed before leaning down and kissing her.

*************************

After making up with Nolan, Whit had planned to meet up with him at some point over break. But she knew she’d be busy. Mr. Tolman had given her a list of all the schools similar to Maverick with the stipulation that if she found anything, she would report it directly to him. She knew finding the school using the websites was a long shot, especially since she’d only seen it at night, but she had to try.

But there was a more pressing matter occupying Whit’s mind
at the moment. She knew that when she got to Mona’s and started to unpack, someone would be watching her. And she was going to find out who.

Tate Layman is a wife and mother
, and writes whenever possible. She enjoys playing and taking walks with her daughter and miniature schnauzer. You can visit her online at
tatelayman.com
.

Other Books by Tate Layman

Falling