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I lean under the hood next to him in an attempt to look natural as I continue my point

"It's just really hard, Will It was so easy for you to accept this and move past it It hasn't been that easy for e of the hood with his hands as he turns his head toward me

"You think this is easy for me?" he whispers

"Well, that's how youabout this has been easy It's a daily struggle forus apart" He turns away froainst it "If it weren't for Caulder, I would have quit that first day I saw you in the hallway I could have taken the year off…waited until you graduated to go back" He turns toward me, his voice lower than before "Believe h my mind How do you think it ? That I'm the reason you're so sad?"

The sincerity in his voice is surprising I had no idea Over the last couple of weeks, I'd convinced in with

"I-I’ht-"

Will cuts me off mid-sentence and turns back toward the car "Your battery is fine, looks like it ht be your alternator"

"Car won't start?" Nick asks as he walks up beside us, explaining the reason behind Will's sudden guarded behavior

"No, Mr Cooper thinks I need a new alternator"

"That sucks," Nick says as he glances under the hood "I'll give you a ride home if you need one"

I start to decline when Will interrupts

"That would be great, Nick," Will says as he closes the hood of the jeep

I shoot Will a glance and he ignores my silent protest Will walks away and leaves me with Nick and no other option for a ride home

"I'm parked over here," Nick says as he leads the way to his car

"Let oes up to find the ignition empty Will must have accidentally taken my keys I leave the door unlocked just in case he doesn't have thee on top of our alreadydebt

"Wow Nice car," I say as we reach Nicks vehicle It’s a small black sports car Not sure what kind but there isn’t a spec of dirt on it

"It’s not mine," he says as we climb inside "It’s my dads He lets me drive it when he’s off work"

"Still, it’s nice Do youby Chapman Elementary? I’m supposed to pick up my little brother"

"No proble lot

"So, New Girl You h it’s been a irl

"Yep," I reply shortly

He attempts to make more small talk but I treat his questions as if they are rhetorical, even if they aren't I can't stop thinking about the things Will said to rasps the idea that I'm not in a chatty mood so he turns on the radio

We pull up to Kel’s school and I get out of the car so Kel can spot me, since I’ up to me, followed by Caulder "Hey, where's your jeep?"

"Won’t start Hop in, Nick is giving us a ride hoo with us today"

I open the back door as the two cli and aahing The remainder of the short drive consists of transformer comparisons and Nick's car

When we arrive at the house, Kel and Caulder jump out of the car and run inside I thank Nick and follow the boys toward the house when I hear Nick open his door

"Layken, wait," Nick calls after h Al innervous

"Later this week, Eddie and Gavin and I are going to Getty’s You wanna come?"

I definitely should have laid off on the obvious flirtation with Nick I feel guilty, knowing good and well I’ve sent hinals

"I don’t know I'd have to run it by my mom I’ll let you know tomorrow, okay?" I see the hope fill his eyes and wish I would have went ahead and turned hiive him any more false hope than I already have

"Yeah Toets back in his car and drives away

When I walk in the house, Kel and Caulder are both at the bar with their homework out "Caulder, do you live with us nohat?"

He looks at o ho I like you being here, it keeps this little creeper away from me" I squeeze Kel's shoulders then walk into the kitchen and grab a drink