Silicon Valley Sweetheart by Alyssa St. Claire

looking at Kyle.
    “Sorry, I’m not really much of a shopper,” said Kyle. “How did you get that internship? I’ve heard that it’s extraordinarily hard to get into their program. They say Fred Woodham is a bear to interview with.”
    Abbey nodded in agreement. “I’ve had a lot of friends try to get a position there, too, and none of them did. As I understand it, they are very selective.”
    I wasn’t completely sure what to say. Did I want to tell them about my arrangement with Mark? I wasn’t sure how they would take it, so I decided it would be best not share that with them.
    “I’m friends with Mark Woodham. He introduced me to his father. They approached me about the internship.”
    “You’re so lucky!” exclaimed Abbey.
    Was it luck? I don’t know. Nobody but me and Mark knew everything in our life was so precarious. One false step, and everything could come crashing down.

Chapter 13
    A fter our chemistry midterm , Kyle, Abbey and some of the other students from our school went to Club X, a new stylish nightclub that had just opened in downtown Palo Alto.
    Abbey and I were out on the dance floor when she turned to me and asked, “Isn’t that Mark from the company where you’re interning?”
    I looked over to see Mark walking in with a beautiful, slender brunette. I didn’t want to think about what he was doing there with her. I just focused on the beat and dancing. Two guys came over and joined us on the dance floor. The tall, better-looking one made his way towards me. I started shaking my hips, moving in time with the music. When I raised my arms up, he placed his hands around my waist.
    Before I knew what was happening, I felt a hand grab my shoulder. I turned around to see Mark. He grabbed my hand and pulled me with him as he stormed out of the club.
    “What the fuck are you doing?” he demanded.
    “What do you mean ‘what the fuck are you doing?’ I’m here dancing with my friends. What are you doing?”
    “We’re supposed to be engaged. How could you embarrass me like this?”
    “I came here with Kyle and Amanda. It seems to me that you’re the one who came here with another woman. I’m not the one who is embarrassing anyone. Instead of looking at me, maybe you should look in the mirror!” I huffed.
    I was shocked at his behavior. Who did he think he was dragging me out of the club like a little child, thinking he could tell me what to do? Especially when he’s the one who brought another woman with him. All I did was dance with a guy who joined us on the dance floor. He hadn’t even bought me a drink, or anything.
    “I did come here with Mia. But, that doesn’t mean you can be out fucking whomever you choose.”
    “We weren’t fucking… We were dancing, Mark. I’m not going to have this conversation with you. I’m going home.”
    All I wanted to do at that point was get away from Mark. As I walked away, I sent Abbey a text that said I was not feeling well and was leaving the club. I could feel the pain welling up inside my stomach.
    As I hurried away, I could hear footsteps following me. I turned my head to see if it was Mark. Just then, my toe caught on a raise in the sidewalk. My right ankle twisted and I fell. The pain caused me to yell out. Even though my ankle hurt like hell, it was my pride that hurt most of all.
    Mark ran up to me.
    “Are you okay? Is it broken?” Mark said, with concern in his voice. He reached down to check my ankle.
    “What do you care? Just leave me alone!” Without warning, the tears began to flow. It seemed like all of my emotions suddenly came pouring out of me. I started to sob.
    Mark knelt down and put his arms around me. “It’s okay. You’re going to be fine. I’m here with you.”
    I tried to stand up. My ankle couldn’t bear any weight.
    “Let me carry you to my car. I’ll take you home,” he said, grabbing me in his arms.
    When we got to the car, I looked down at my ankle. It didn’t appear to be broken. I thought it