Love at first sight.

  My cousin Debbie had always reminisced about how she fell in love with her husband the minute she met him in ninth grade. I loved her, but her story made zero sense to me. Only when I looked into Roman’s olive-green eyes did I finally understand.

  Maybe I affected him too. He stopped resisting and allowed the security guard to drag him down the hall. I chased after him, but Mrs. Johnson, my AP English teacher, stopped me.

  “Don’t, honey. You don’t need to be involved with trash like that. He’s not going anywhere good in life.”

  My temper flared. “Doug started it. He’s always starting trouble. Hurting kids who can’t fight back. This time he picked on the wrong person and got what he deserved.”

  She recoiled. I hardly ever spoke up or talked back to teachers. I earned high marks, but I kept to myself.

  My outburst seemed to change her mind. “Go ahead down to the principal’s office and let Mr. W. know what happened.” She glanced over my shoulder. “I’ll give you a pass.”

  Relief that at least one adult in my life seemed to have some decency flooded through me. I accepted the pass and hurried downstairs.

  Mr. W. was no-nonsense. We called him Mr. W. because no one could pronounce or spell his last name. I’d never been in his office before.

  I stepped into the main office and his secretary glanced up. “Juliet? What are you doing down here?”

  “I have a pass.” I swallowed hard, finding my courage. “I need to speak to Mr. W. about the fight. I saw what happened.”

  She stared at me for a minute. “All right. Wait here.”

  I turned and found Roman sitting on the bench outside the principal’s office. Staring at me.

  “What are you doing, Juliet?” he asked in a low voice when I approached.

  “Someone needs to tell the truth about what happened.”

  He stared at me as if no one had ever offered to stand up for him before. “Don’t get in trouble over me. I’m not worth it.”

  My fingers nudged his chin, trying to angle his head back so I could see his eyes. Roman was stubborn though. “You’re wrong.”

  Behind us, the door opened and the secretary spoke to Mr. W.

  “Juliet, come on inside.”

  I felt the weight of Roman’s stare with every step I took toward the open door.

  Chapter Four

  Roman

  Juliet stunned me. Not only was she beautiful on the outside, she was pure beauty on the inside.

  I glanced down at my bruised knuckles, already covered in a life’s worth of scars.

  No one had ever stood up for me before. Not my parents before they died, not my grandmother when the state took me away from her, not my teachers who saw the bruises on me from my first set of foster parents, not my “good” foster parents that I prayed would adopt me, not the social workers or the lawyers appointed to me by the system. No one.

  Juliet barely knew me, yet she’d done more for me in one day than anyone else in my entire life.

  The door opened, and Juliet stepped out, a whole lot more confident than when she went inside.

  The principal spoke quietly to his secretary for a second then motioned me over.

  “Miss Hayworth explained that you were defending yourself and that the other student almost hurt her as well.” His eyes scanned my face to see if I was surprised. If Juliet lied.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “No more trouble from you, Roman. It’s only your first day.”

  “I’ll do my best.”

  That didn’t seem to reassure him, but he dismissed me anyway.

  Juliet waited in the hallway for me. Smiled when she saw me.

  “Why’d you do that?” I asked, falling into step beside her. “Where’s your next class?”

  “AP English.”

  I pulled out my schedule. “That’s where I’m headed too.”

  She raised an eyebrow as if it surprised her that I had been placed in an advanced class.

  “What’s wrong? I don’t look like someone who’d take advanced anything, do I?”

  She shrugged. “That’s not what I was going to say, but since you said it, yes.”

  Feeling fired up after the fight and narrowly escaping trouble, I gave her a cocky wink. “I’m full of surprises, sweetheart.”

  Her lips curled into a playful smile. “I’m sure you are.”

  Trading jokes back and forth on our way to class soothed me somehow. I couldn’t explain it, but I didn’t even want to punch one of Doug’s smug buddies when we passed him in the hallway. That’s the effect Juliet had on me.

  The class was about to discuss Death of a Salesman. I’d already read it at my last school which seemed to make the cute little English teacher happy.

  A kid everyone, even the teacher, called Stubby raised his hand first. I recognized him as one of Doug’s sycophantic friends.

  “It’s about the fakeness of the American dream. Like that Biff dude should’ve been more successful, but he’s not because it’s all a lie.” He sat back looking like a proud puppy who’d just taken his first piss outside.

  I’d taken the seat directly behind Juliet—of course—and was pleasantly surprised when she raised her hand.

  “Biff’s an unemployed loser who peaked in high school. He thought his looks would open doors to opportunities he didn’t deserve. He wasn’t willing to put in the work.”

  I was hanging on every word out of her mouth and couldn’t help jumping in. “But by the end, I think it’s clear the American dream isn’t dead. You just have to work for it.”

  “Very good, Roman, but next time raise your hand.” The teacher scowled at me.

  Typical.

  Juliet turned slightly and gave me a smile.

  After class, she packed up her things slowly. I held out my hand for her bag and she tilted her head at me. “Where you headed next?”

  “Gym.”

  Shit, I wouldn’t mind watching her running around in the tiny gym shorts I’d seen other girls wearing in my class.

  “I’ll walk you.”

  “Don’t you have a class?”

  “Technology. It’s right by the gym, isn’t it?”

  “It is.”

  “Let’s go.”

  She handed me her backpack and I slung it over my shoulder, marveling that she managed to lug it around all day. “You smuggling a body in this thing? It must weigh as much as you,” I teased.

  “Usually I don’t like stopping at my locker during the day.” She blushed and looked away. “Never had a good reason to before,” she said in a softer voice.

  It says a lot about how gone I was over this girl that it took me a minute to realize she was talking about me.

  This feeling between us was mutual. I wasn’t imagining this attraction. She wasn’t a polite girl taking pity on the new kid.

  I almost leaned over and kissed her when I handed over her backpack in front of the girls’ locker room. At the last second, I stopped. When our lips touched for the first time, it wasn’t going to be in a dimly lit, sweat-scented hallway in front of sixty of our fellow classmates.

  No, I wanted it to be special. And private.

  Chapter Five

  Juliet

  My stomach fluttered as Roman and I stared at each other.

  “I’ll pick you up when the bell rings,” he said.

  “Okay.”

  He grabbed the notebook out of my hand and quickly scribbled down some notes.

  “We have the rest of our classes together.”

  “Oh, good.”

  Someone shoved me. Roman all but snarled at the offender.

  “Ooo, Juliet, who’s your scary friend?” my friend Vienna asked.

  “Vienna, this is Roman. This is his first day.”

  Vienna raked her gaze over him and I had a violent urge to strangle her.

  “I heard all about how you taught Douchebag Dougie some manners this afternoon,” Vienna said, still staring at him with too much interest. “Well done.”

  Roman didn’t puff out his chest or even smile like most guys would. “Seems like someone should’ve done it a long time ago.”

  “Got that right,” Vienna said. “That asshole lifted my dress in second grade and showed everyone my underwear. Got called ‘polka dots’ forever because of him.”

  Leave it to Vienna to mention her underpants within five seconds of meeting a guy.

  “We’re going to be late.” I dug my fingers into Vienna’s arm and tugged her toward the door.

  “See you in an hour,” Roman reminded me.

  “Wow,” Vienna said in a dreamy voice that I didn’t care for. “You lucky bitch. How did you meet him?”

  “Trying to break into my locker.”

  She scrunched up her nose, trying to decide if I was kidding or not, I think.

  “He seems to like you.” She evil-grinned at me. “A birdie told me you went to the principal’s office to defend him.”

  “Dougie started it. Why should he always get away with—”

  “Don’t get me wrong. I’m thrilled. Doug can’t get enough ass-kickings as far as I’m concerned.”

  We stripped out of our clothes and into the insultingly small gym uniforms the school insisted we wear. Thankfully, I was so height-challenged the shorts and polo looked almost normal on me. On Vienna’s tall, slender frame, the white shirt and shorts looked positively obscene.

  “Come on, let’s get this over with.”

  It was volleyball day, the one sport I was actually good at. I tossed the ball in the air to serve and almost missed when I spotted Roman watching me from the hallway.

  I smashed the ball over the net, happy he caught me doing something I’m good at.

  When I looked again, he’d vanished.

  Something whooshed through the air and thudded against the side of my head. “Ow!”

  The volleyball thunk, thunk, thunked against the gymnasium floor and lazily rolled away. “Look alive, Juliet!” the gym teacher yelled.

  My face flamed hot. At least Roman hadn’t seen that.

  After class, Vienna elbowed me. “Were you fantasizing about your knight in shining hottie?”

  “That doesn’t even make sense.”

  Not offended, she grinned and flounced into the locker room ahead of me.

  True to his word, Roman was waiting in the hallway for me after class.

  Again, he took my backpack, but this time he winced when he slung it over his shoulder.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.”

  Apparently we’d reached a stage in our relationship where I felt comfortable rolling up his sleeve to inspect his arm.

  Black and blue stained most of his upper arm and shoulder. “We need to get you some ice for this.”

  “I’m fine.” He glanced down at his bruised skin. “I’ve had worse.”

  “Doug’s such an asshole,” I seethed. “Principal W. better have had a chat with him too.”

  He grinned at me. “You’re pretty cute all fierce.”

  He thought I was cute? My heart tapped out an erratic rhythm that sounded a lot like one of my favorite love songs.

  Again, he took the seat behind me in class, glaring at Steve Lennon who usually occupied that seat. With Roman at my back, I felt safe and protected.

  Normally I loved history, but today, I couldn’t stop thinking about the boy behind me.

  After the final bell, he followed me outside. “Do you take the bus?” he asked.

  “Not usually.” No, I’d had enough of being picked on and called names on the bus years ago and decided I’d rather walk than put up with my obnoxious classmates.

  “Do you drive?” I winced after I asked. He was in foster care; I doubt he owned a vehicle.

  “No car.” His jaw tightened and I wondered if I offended him.

  “I’m sorry. That was thoughtless of me.”

  “It’s no big deal, Juliet.” But he seemed to relax again.

  My already shaky nerves rattled as we got closer to my street.

  “I’m actually not that far from you,” Roman said. “A couple streets over.”

  “Oh.”

  The fear that had crawled up my spine disappeared when we approached the driveway and I saw my uncle’s truck was missing. I wasn’t in the mood to have him be rude to chase Roman off. And I had no doubt, that’s exactly what would happen.

  My gaze searched the neighborhood, searching for any nosy neighbors who might report back to my aunt and uncle that I’d had a boy over.

  The coast seemed clear.

  “Come in so I can put ice on that,” I said.

  He only hesitated for a second. “Thanks.”

  Inside I tried not to cringe as he stooped to avoid smacking his head on the low ceiling. “My aunt and uncle are short like me.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “You can set my bag there. Thank you for carrying it.”

  “No problem.”

  Each answer came out shorter and more clipped than the last and I worried I was keeping him from doing something more important.

  “Here.” I reached into the freezer and grabbed an ice pack, then wrapped it in a kitchen towel.

  I froze when I turned and found his green eyes focused on me, waiting as if he expected me to treat his injury.

  Carefully, I lifted his sleeve and rested the pack against the bruised area. He hissed in a pained breath but otherwise gave no indication it hurt.

  He was so warm and solid against me. Smelled so good. I closed my eyes, soaking in the moment.

  “Are you okay, Juliet?” His raspy voice broke the spell.

  The concern in his voice caught me off guard. “Tired.” I forced a smile. “I got whacked in the head with a volleyball in gym.”

  That same fierce protectiveness I’d witnessed earlier resurfaced. “Who did it?”

  “It was my fault, I wasn’t paying attention.” I dropped my gaze to his shoulder. “I got distracted by someone peeking in the door.”

  He chuckled softly. “Busted.”

  His warm hand covered my chilled one. “I think I’m all better. Thank you.”

  Too bad I wasn’t ready to let him go.

  Chapter Six

  Roman

  The first time I tried to kiss Juliet, I made her cry.

  I slipped the ice pack out of her hand and tossed it on the kitchen counter. No one in my life had ever shown me as much concern as this girl I barely even knew. Kindness in response to my pain felt so foreign.

  Maybe I didn’t have any experience with love, but something big I’d never felt before settled in my chest.

  Her hands were chilly and I took them in mine, pulling her closer.

  “Thank you.”

  She stared up at me with those big eyes; I still hadn’t decided if they were teal or turquoise. Whatever the color, it was now my favorite shade of blue.

  “You’re welcome.”

  I might not have had years of experience to draw from, but I knew the moment demanded something.

  My hands cupped her cheeks, angling her head so I could lean down and finally taste her lips.

  The briefest warm, shivery sensation brushed against my lips before she jerked away.

  “Roman,” she whispered.

  Obviously, I’d read the situation completely wrong.

  “Shit. I’m sorry.”

  Tears shone in her eyes and dread crawled through my chest. Everything in me wanted to protect her, not upset her.

  “It’s not you. I’m sorry.” The anguish in her voice killed me.

  I rubbed my thumb over her cheek. “No, I’m sorry. I’m—”

  Outside, a car door slammed and her eyes widened with fear. “You have to go. I’m not supposed to have boys in the house.”

  “Shit. Yeah. Okay.”

  I scooped up my bag and she pushed me onto the back porch, locking the door behind us. She shoved me onto a bench and threw herself into the chair across from me. Before one “what the fuck” left my mouth, someone clomped up the porch steps.

  “Juliet? What you doin’ out here, girl?” a gruff voice asked.

  I turned and took in the short, stocky man who must be Juliet’s uncle.

  I may not have been the smartest kid in any class, but I’d met enough people to develop a bit of intuition about them. And Juliet’s uncle gave me the fuckin’ creeps.

  “Who’s your friend?” he asked with the least welcoming smile possible.

  I stood and held out my hand, hoping manners might erase whatever notions he was forming about me.

  “Roman Hawkins, sir.”

  “Roman’s new in school,” Juliet said, scrambling to stand beside me. “We share a few classes.”

  The older man grunted and shook my hand. “Jared Samson.” He gave Juliet a pointed look. “Your aunt will be home soon, Jules. You need to help her with dinner. Say goodbye to your guest.”

  I wanted to punch him in the throat for the disrespectful way he spoke to his niece, but I didn’t think it would help the situation.

  “Yes, sir. I was just leaving. Good to meet you,” I said, trying to force something that sounded polite into my voice. I wasn’t about to do anything that might keep me away from Juliet.

  Under her uncle’s watchful eye, I faced Juliet. “See you tomorrow.”

  Her cheeks were bright pink and she kept her hands clasped in front of her. “Yup.”

  It was awkward as hell with her uncle standing in my way, but I managed to get past him without knocking one of us off the steps.

  I glanced back at Juliet once before jogging down the street and turning the corner.

  Chapter Seven

  Roman

  One of the counselors met me at the front door when I walked into the group home.

  I still wasn’t used to the place. The constant noise. The way it smelled. Institutional like all the others but still unique. Discount Lysol instead of the real thing maybe.

  “How did your first day go?” he asked. “Stay out of trouble?”

  “More or less.”

  He tilted his head, not liking my non-answer. I hadn’t figured out this dude yet, so I wasn’t sure if honesty would keep me out of trouble or get me sent to a new facility.