Rewriting History by Missy Johnson Page B

some student.” My anger is spiraling out of control, which shouldn’t be surprising to me.
    We all knew this wasn’t going to end well. Would I be this angry with him if he’d fucked someone the same age as him, or is it the fact that she was his student—only a few years older than I was at the time? If I’m honest with myself, what exactly is it that makes me hate him so damn much?
    “Eli, if you give me a chance, you’ll see it wasn’t wasted. We can still fix—”
    “Forget it, Dad. I can’t listen to any more. It’s unforgivable.” I hang up and throw the cell across the room, wincing as it bounces off the wall.
    He thinks he can fix this? Fix us? I laugh. There is no fixing us.

Chapter Nine
    Jill
    I wake up Friday morning with a smile on my face. My stomach is in knots, because today is the day—in more ways than one. 
    I’m eighteen. I have two more exams until Christmas break, but most importantly, I get to see Eli tonight. Even though we’ve already had sex twice, it feels different. The build up to this night has me nervous about seeing him, so much so that it feels like our first time.
    I feel like a freaking virgin on junior prom night—which I wasn’t, by the way.
    Trudging down the stairs, I prepare myself for the over-the-top fuss Mom puts on every birthday, but I’m surprised to find the house quiet. I walk into the kitchen and see the note addressed to me on the table.
    Sorry honey,
    I got called in early. I’ll make it up to you tonight, I promise. I’ll be home when you get home from school. Love you, and happy birthday.
    Mom xx
    Frowning, I pour myself a coffee and sit down. This is feeling reminiscent of Sixteen Candles . Mom couldn’t say no to one shift to be here the morning I turn eighteen?
    I know I’m being childish, but I can’t help it. Eli and I have plans tonight, and as awful as it sounds, I don’t want to waste any of our time with Mom.
     
    The day drags by so slowly, and the minute I walk out of my last exam I can feel the weight lift off my shoulders. There should be some kind of law against being forced to take exams on your birthday, especially when they’re as hard as that one was. The only highlights were the glimpses I saw of Eli in the halls on the way to class, and having Sophia chattering away next to me for most of the day. As I’m walking home I get a text from Eli, which fast becomes the highlight of my birthday. I hope he can top that later.
    Eli: Happy birthday, Jill. I hope it’s everything you want and more.
    Me: I’ll settle for everything I want ;)
    Eli: You’re too amazing to settle for anything.
    I grin and start putting my phone away when I realize Alice hasn’t called to wish me a happy birthday yet. More often than not, her timing is shocking, and it would be just my luck that she would call me later when I’m . . . otherwise occupied. Finding her in my short list of contacts, I press call.
    “Hey.” I grin.
    “Hey! I’m just about to walk into detention so I have to be quick.” She laughs.
    “What did you do now?” I can’t help but laugh with her. She practically lives in detention. She’s a teacher’s worst nightmare. Naughty thoughts of Eli disciplining me in detention cross my mind and I blush.
    “Ha, what didn’t I do wrong? Jesus, the teachers at this boarding school need to lighten the fuck up. I’m not into old chicks, but maybe I should take a leaf out of your book.” She snickers. “Someone’s going to get hot birthday sex tonight from their tea— cher ,” she sings.
    “Well, he’s technically not my teacher anymore.” I laugh.
    “Technically, schmechnically,” she grumbles. “He’s off limits and that’s sexy as fuck.”
    I laugh—trust Al to voice that—however, there is no doubt in my mind that Eli and I are getting down and dirty tonight.   
    “I don’t know why you guys haven’t been fucking each other’s brains out at night and then pretending you don’t know each other during the