lucy_mumbua

I had three simple rules:  
1. Never remove the hood and mask.  
2. Don’t attract attention.  
3. Follow rule one and two at all costs.  

Simple, right? Well, I followed them religiously—until Jason came along and shattered them all. I didn’t want anyone to know my identity. I just wanted to stay in the shadows, finish school, and disappear. But no, the stupid jock had to get in my way, and now my peaceful, hidden life is in ruins.  

I didn’t mean to embarrass the school’s golden boy. His name? Jason. He’s the son of the country’s richest CEO. Ironically, I chose this place to hide from my own father, the man I’m trying to escape. I look too much like him, and if anyone made the connection, my cover would be blown. Hence, the hood and mask I wear every single day.  

But now, instead of just hiding from my father, I have to watch out for Jason, too. He’s vowed to make my life miserable. I still can’t figure out his obsession with me—one minute he’s humiliating me in front of everyone, and the next he’s trying to kiss me behind the bleachers.

The Girl in the Hoodie is Mine

He stopped, but barely. His glare shifted to her, and for a moment, I thought she might combust under the sheer intensity of his fury.

"I was sick!" Ella blurted out, her words tumbling over each other in a rush. "I was sick, and Jason was just helping out. That's all. Nothing happened."

I nodded quickly, eager to back her up. "Exactly. She had cramps. I stayed to make sure she was okay. That's it."

Mr. Kingsley narrowed his eyes, clearly unconvinced. "You expect me to believe that the two of you were alone, overnight, and nothing happened?"

"Yes," Ella and I said in unison, our voices overlapping.

Ella turned to me, her expression a mix of exasperation and disbelief. "Jason, seriously? That was not the time to say that," she hissed under her breath.

I shrugged helplessly. "I panicked!"

One Year