"Hey, I'm Jax."
I glance up at him from under my eyelashes searching for any form of deception but all I see is sincerity and curiosity. I take a deep breath. It's just my name, no harm can come from telling him that, right? It's not going to instantly make us friends and he won't get dragged into my dark world. Besides, he won't remember me tomorrow anyway.
"Sage," I say quietly glancing away again but it's not long before my eyes get unwillingly pulled back towards him. I can’t seem to help myself.
He has a large smile on his gorgeous face, his mischievous eyes sparkling. He opens his mouth to reply but at that moment Mr. Thomas walks in and calls the class to order. I let out the breath I have been holding. To be honest I'm both relieved and disappointed that our conversation got interrupted. If you can even call the few words we exchanged a conversation. I'm confused by how strong my reaction is to him. I only met him ten minutes ago, but I felt strangely safe with him. No one makes me feel safe.
I wanted to tell him more about myself and I wanted to learn everything about him. Feeling like that though is dangerous. I can't get close to anyone. I frown deeply at my thoughts but focus back on what Mr. Thomas is saying. I refuse to look back at Jax no matter how much I want to. I can feel his curious stare burning into the side of my head almost as if he's imploring me to glance his way again. I refuse to do it; I have to be alone.
I didn't hear a word of what Mr. Thomas said during the lesson and as soon as the bell rings for second period I’m up and out of the door before it has even finished chiming. As I’m rushing away, I think I hear someone calling my name, but the concept is so unlikely that I dismiss it immediately. I make it to English with time to spare thanks to my speedy, and admittedly cowardly, exit from home room and walk over to my preferred spot in the back corner.
The lesson passes by uneventfully and for that I'm glad. At least I keep telling myself that I am. Yep, I absolutely do not want to see Jax, not even a little bit. I scoff quietly at myself and my ridiculousness.
Sure, you don't want to see him again, liar!
The morning goes by quickly and I stop off at my locker to swap my books out before I spend my lunch break in the library. On the way there I hear a group of girls that are in my senior class talking about their Imprint Tattoos and showing them off. Only two of them have one but the way that they are so freely showing them off in the hallway where anyone could see is shocking.
I don't understand how they can be so casual about them. I have always kept mine private. To me they are a very personal thing that I haven't wanted to show anyone. Even whilst being intimate I kept the onethat I had at the time covered. Maybe it's because my first two were warnings of pain and they don't bring back happy memories.
I like to think that the events that were foretold by my Imprinted tattoos have made me stronger, at least I hope they have. My newest Imprint Tattoo, the one that showed up this morning, is different. I don't know why it’s different but simply from the feelings of hope and happiness that it gives me I know that it is.
I'm so lost in my own head that I don't see the wall right in front of me and walk straight into it. I bounce off of it, gasping in pain as my ribs protest the sudden movement. Closing my eyes, I prepare myself to land in a painful heap on the floor. Just before I land though, I feelstrong arms wrap around my waist stopping my fall and pulling me back up to standing with ease. I open my eyes and look up, way up. This huge deliciously muscled guy before me could easily be 6’4 and towers over my short frame.
The wall I thought I walked into was actually him. Not only that but his arms are still around me and I'm strangely okay with it, more than okay if I’m being completely honest. He has a tiny smile playing on his plump lips. I blush scarlet for the second time today and hastily take a step back from him, looking up to thank him for catching me and to apologise for walking into him in the first place.
I freeze, for the first time since this embarrassing moment started I really see him. Just like when I first saw Jax my jaw nearly hits the floor.
Holy yum batman.
His tall frame means that he towers over me and instead of me finding it intimidating I feel strangely safe. His black t-shirt is stretched taut across his large chest and clings to his huge arms. I can just about see the outline of a well-defined six pack through the tight material. His strong thighs are encased in extremely well fitting dark blue jeans and I have an almost overpowering urge to ask him to turn around so I can see what I'm sure will be a delectable ass.
I have to bite my lip to keep the request from spilling out. On his feet are black combat boots, the laces left un-done. By this point I'm very aware that I am openly checking him out, but just like I did with Jax I can't seem to pull my eyes away and decide that right now, I don't care.
My eyes follow the delicious path back up until they reach his strong angular jaw. He has a scar about two inches long on his left cheek but instead of detracting from his beauty it merely adds to his rugged good looks. His long dark brown hair is pulled into a small ponytail at the base of his neck. I look up into his hazel eyes, different shades of green, brown and gold mixing together in an entrancing way.
I stiffen immediately when my eyes finally meet his. Gone is that tiny smile and in its place is a frightening scowl as he stares at my face his eyes seemingly zeroed in on my cheek for a reason that is un-known to me.
Fuck.
I start to back up slowly. He's angry and from my experience bad things happen to me when someone's angry.
"I-I'm s-s-sorry," I stutter an apology for running into him. Hoping that it's enough to appease him.
"Wait!" His deep baritone sends shivers of pleasure down my spine, confusing me.
He lifts his hand up, reaching for my face causing me to flinch, as I expect pain to follow. His eyes widen in shock before confusion quickly follows making him frown slightly. The confusion dissipates and is replaced with understanding, surely, he can’t know why his fast movement made me flinch. He ever so slowly lowers his hand rubbing the back of his neck.
"I'm Hunter, there's nothing to apologise for. It was my fault anyway, I wasn't paying attention.” He seems sincere and although the glare is still on his face, I'm starting to think that it’s just him and not directed at me.
I relax, somehow knowing that, like Jax he will never hurt me. This time it's easier to form the words I want to say, maybe talking to Jax has helped me feel more comfortable talking to others.
"I'm Sage." I reply, thankfully not stuttering and let a small smile slip out.
He looks at me shocked for a moment before letting out a smile even smaller than mine, but it changes his entire face. He goes from being utterly gorgeous to breathtakingly stunning. My feelings are overwhelming me and I decide to make a hasty retreat, mumbling a goodbye and practically running down the corridor to the library.
I can’t help but glance back at Hunter one last time and when I do I see him standing in the exact same spot that I left him in, staring after me with an indecipherable look on his face. Whatever it means, it sends a thrill down my spine.
Everything is about to change. I can only hope it's for the better.
