Count on Me by Melyssa Winchester Page A

noticeable to everyone, the effect this girl is having on me? I thought it was bad with Dillon and the others catching on to it, but now I’m sitting here with a teacher, being told she can see it too. What the hell have I gotten myself into?
    “I’m not sure I feel right reading this…” I answer hesitantly.
    “Well we agree on that Kayden. I can tell you that what she wrote is more personal than what the other students did and I felt like I was invading something private, but I have a feeling that you need to read it, even if you don’t feel right about it.”
    I have no idea what to say, so I just nod in response.
    “Take it with you, but please be careful with it. I do not want it getting into the wrong hands. When you’re finished you can bring it back to me. I’m here until four thirty tutoring.”
    Yeah, I don’t want this getting into the wrong hands either and by wrong hands I think of Dillon and Tim. Even though I don’t know what she wrote, I can only imagine the way the guys would use this against her if it ever got out. She’s already a laughing stock; it doesn’t need to be made worse.
    Warning has been heard loud and clear. This is for my eyes only.
    “Before you go, can I ask you for one more favor?”
    “Yeah, of course, Ms. T. Anything.”
    “Whatever the reason is for you paying her this attention now, be sure of what you’re doing before you do it, Kayden. That girl, despite being one of the strongest students I have, is also fragile and very trusting. The last thing I want to see happen is for her to get hurt.”
    I can hear in her words that my reputation precedes me. It’s no secret the way I’ve been over the last few years and I’m sure all of the teachers are aware of just what an asshole I am. It’s no surprise she’s warning me off.
    Blowing off this warning would have been my response before. In fact, it’s not the first one I’ve had about certain people I’ve tortured over the last three years. I’m not going to do that this time though, because despite the teacher’s concerns, this time, we’re on the same page.
    I do n’t want her hurt either. It’s the last thing I want.
    “Don’t worry, Ms. T. I’m not entirely sure what I’m doing with her, but the last thing I want is Isabelle hurt.”
    “Well okay then. I’ll take you at your word. Go on, enjoy the rest of your lunch.” she says, motioning toward the door and as I turn and start heading out, I hear her speak again.
    “You’re a good guy, Kayden Walker. Remember that.”

Chapter Eight
     
    Kayden
     
    The horrible feeling that’s been in the pit of my stomach hasn’t gone away, even with the time I spent talking with Ms. Taylor and af ter looking for her at her locker and her regular spot under the tree out front, no sign of her anywhere, I’m starting to realize just what the sick feeling is about.
    Isabelle has always been a creature of habit. Well, I’m not even sure it’s habit really, more like routine, but when she’s not in classes or at home, there are only two places I’ve ever known her to be. I’ve passed her a bunch of times in the hall, usually walking by and catching her as she’s got her head stuck in a book. When she’s not there , she’s outside watching the world go by underneath the ugliest looking tree on the entire campus.
    Her not being in either spot worries me. I knew I should have chased after her when she took off and now the proof is being shoved in my f ace. It only makes me feel worse because if I just stayed away from her the way she wanted me to, maybe she wouldn’t be missing now.
    I pop my head into the library, knowing it’s gonna be a waste of time and I’m greeted with the very shocked stares of some of the advanced placement students. I’ve never actually stepped foot in the library and it’s obvious that everyone here knows it.
    “Can I help you?” Ms. Reid, our librarian asks, as she comes to stand directly in front of my view of the