Chapter 5

** Brad **

It was a stroke of sheer luck that the seat next to me was empty. And when Candice Crawford sat down, it was hard to keep my eyes off her.

She caught me by surprise and I felt like shit watching her fall outside the restroom. I instantly began picking up items tossed from her backpack and was curious when she didn't take my hand when I stood up. I wasn't expecting that kind of response. We stayed frozen in an awkward silence for a split second before she jumped to her feet, unaware I was still watching her. I didn't like how her face contorted and I knew without question she was in pain. I immediately got rid of the assholes doing nothing but laughing, yet somehow my small gesture wasn't enough. I wanted to do more, but when she looked up at me I couldn't think.

I offered my help when the bell rang because I was pretty sure she didn't know where her next class was either, but she turned me down. I couldn't help but laugh, even though she was a complete stranger to me; she was trying to be tough and do everything on her own. Her walls were up so I started to walk away but I had to look back. When I did, I caught another glimpse of her amazing blue eyes and the humiliation blanketing her face. Why it hit me in the gut like it did is still a mystery, but I wanted to help her and didn't feel obligated the second time. I needed to make the suffering behind those beautiful eyes go away. So I did the only thing I could think of. I teased her until she finally smiled. When she did, it was like the sun had squeezed its way out behind a deck of thick clouds.