“Sounds like it.” I do my best to hide the wistful, bittersweet feeling that grows inside me.
Christmas for me growing up was always a stack of presents that the bastard’s assistant picked out, and the bastard himself passed out in his office with an empty bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue.
Add no idea how to properly celebrate major holidays to the list.
Before I can downward spiral deeper into my ineptitude, the bell rings announcing the end of lunch. I pack up what I have left of my lunch and stuff the paper bag back into my backpack.
While I get up and attempt to wipe the dirt from my butt, Connor picks up my backpack as well as his. He did this yesterday as well when we walked to Study Hall after lunch, so I decide to simply appreciate the gesture.
“My place after school?” Nolan asks me, while he throws his messenger bag over his shoulder.
“Sure, as long as you’re not driving,” I answer, gathering what little trash I have.
“I’m an excellent driver,” Nolan pouts.
“We’ll have to agree to disagree there, Casanova,” I mutter, bemused.
“Donovan and I can give you a ride,” Kaleb offers. “There’s a backseat in the truck.”
“Works for me.” I shrug.
Nolan, Connor and I split ways with the rest of the guys, Felix deciding to follow Kaleb to class because he promised to let him do some of the problems out of his trig book.To each their own.
As we walk to class, Nolan on one side of me and Connor on the other, Nolan inquires, “So am I Casanova or Cheater McCheaterstein?”
I laugh. “Both, obviously.”
“I think I prefer Casanova,” he states, as if he has a choice in the matter.
“Then don’t be a Cheater McCheaterstein,” I advise, with a smug upward tilt of my nose.
“Well, in that case, it sounds like you’ll want to do your own US History homework,” he ribs, poking me in the side.
After I squeak, which they both laugh at--god damn, that’s going to get old-- I merely look at him with blank innocence and reply, “Maybe, you’re right, and you can tell Donovan why he now has to do the stupid huge Pre Cal homework on top of his other work. I’m sure he’ll understand how you convinced me it was wrong to share homework.”
Connor busts up laughing, startling nearby students, and I feel extremely pleased with myself. His full laugh is beautiful, low and deep and rolls over me like melted caramel-- made all the sweeter by its rarity.
Nolan grins, then with an over the top sigh, he admits defeat. “Fine. I’ll do the US History homework.”
I offer up a wicked grin of my own. “Good boy.”
Chapter 11
Callie
Iduck under a backpack that’s so full it looks like the kid is ready for the coming apocalypse instead of one night’s worth of homework, and around a group of students who think the very middle of the hallway is a great place to discuss where in Portland is the best place to get sushi.
The crowded hallway is a loud cacophony of noise made up of talking, laughing, and the slamming of locker doors. Fighting my way through the mob of students after school is a very different experience than when the guys walk me to class. No one jumps out of the way for a tiny blonde girl that looks like a strong wind could knock her on her ass.
Vaguely, I notice people whispering when they see me go by, but it’s only my third day of school, and a weird girl starting mid semester leads to gossip. Especially, when it looks like I’ve made fast friends with the hottest guys at school. If they only knew that the boys they’re drooling over are actually supernatural creatures.Who am I kidding? They’d just drool more.
It feels like I’ve survived a gauntlet, when I make it around the corner. My face is flushed, sweat has collected on my lower back, and pieces of my hair escaped its hair tie and are now falling into my face. Quickly, I unzip my red hoodie and shove up my sleeves, while I weave through the final living obstacles to my locker.
Kaleb stands waiting near my locker looking as well pressed as he did this morning.If he wasn’t so nice that would be really annoying.He has a book out, one finger tucked between the pages to hold his place, and looks like he’d rather be reading it than stuck talking to the girl that’s cornered him.Ha. And he says Nolan can’t stand still too long without getting mobbed.
I shove my renegade tresses behind my ears, and with a short wave, I greet, “Hey, Kaleb.”
“Hey,” he greets back, his deep voice tinged with a hint of desperation.
