“Hey, you’re Harper Davidson, right?” The guy standing in front of my desk looks familiar, like I’ve seen him around, but I honestly couldn’t tell you his name. Kenz is much better with that.
“Yes?” I hesitate to engage. Kenz warned me about users. Which kind is he going to be?
Tall and well-built, he has blond hair and bright blue eyes. An easy smile hits his lips. He’s like a nicer Luke, less ominous. Not quite as hot though.
“I’m Tanner Lewis.” He pulls out Kenz’s chair. “Mind if I sit here today? I tore my contact this morning, so it’s hard to see the board from the back.”
“Sure, but Kenz will probably be back tomorrow,” I warn him.
“Thankfully, I’m getting new ones after school.” He settles into the seat, and Ms. Sullivan begins the lesson.
I keep working on my sketch while she talks. I notice Tanner glancing over at me from time to time, but I ignore him. After half the period, Ms. Sullivan releases us to work on our projects.
“You’ve got a great eye,” he says softly.
“Thanks.” I’m still not in the mood to talk. My ass hurts more the longer I sit. Plus, next period is lunch. I have none with me. Luke promised to take me out, but I’ll believe it when I actually see it. Not that I really want to go anywhere alone with him. Or his posse of fuckheads.
“I think I was in the sculpting class while you were in drawing, because I’ve never seen you in art class before this year.” Apparently he wants to talk.
I put my pencil down and look at Tanner. Really look at him. He wants something. I just don’t know what it is yet. “Sure, that happens.”
He smiles now that I’m engaging. “You’ve been claimed by the horsemen this year. How’s that going?”
I smile, but it probably looks like a grimace. “It’s not like I had a choice in the matter.”
“I missed last week helping my sister settle into her new school. It surprised me when someone told me they picked you.”
I’m not sure what that’s supposed to mean since I don’t really know this guy.
“We were in history last year together, and I always thought you were cute.” He gives me a crooked smile. “When they said no one would claim you in the cafeteria that day, I didn’t understand why not. I mean, excuse me if I’m being forward, but you’re hot.”
“No one was willing to stand up against the horsemen. I don’t blame them.”
If what I’m suffering is when they like someone, I’d hate to see what they do to someone they actively dislike.
I ignore his compliments because I don’t trust his motives. Is it to get closer to the horsemen or pull one over on them?
“Bunch of cowards in this school.” He shakes his head. “I tried to stand up against them after what they did to my sister.” He shrugs and looks down at his drawing.
“What happened to your sister?” I’m curious.
“They targeted her until she finally caved. It was last year. She hasn’t been the same since. She transferred schools this year to get away from them.” His eyes get a far-off look to them. “We’re twins, so I tried to stand up to them. After all, I thought the guys were my friends until they got me kicked off the football team.”
I hadn’t heard about his sister, but I’ve basically been living with my head in a hole. It’s not surprising I’m not privy to the inner workings of this school.
“That doesn’t seem fair if you were just trying to help your sister.” The guys are jerks and I know this is a pattern with them. The only difference this year is I’ve got their full attention.
“Yeah, well, that’s the horsemen for you.” Tanner shrugs. “I wanted to let you know you aren’t alone. If you need someone to help you, I can’t sit by and watch them do to another girl what they did to her.”
I’m still wary of him, but then he settles in to sketch quietly beside me. It’s not like people are lining up to help me. Even my bestie can only do so much. I’ll have to ask Kenz what she knows of Tanner’s story.
When class ends, Tanner stands and nods to me. “I don’t want to get you in trouble or I’d walk you to wherever you need to go.”
“Yeah, I’d rather not face their wrath anymore today.” My ass couldn’t handle it.
“Here.” He hands me a scrap of paper. “It’s my number if you want to talk or need help. I hope you consider me an ally if not a friend in your war. Good luck.”
Tanner backs out the door and heads off down the hall. I slip his number into my notebook before anyone sees it.
