“Nah, you’ll love me. One day.”
I turn my head, leaving it on the desk, and glare at him.
“You’re cute when you're mad.”
“Please stop talking.”
He chuckles. God, that smile, that dimple, that sharp jaw. Do you think I could get through this year blindfolded? I might need ear plugs too, cause the smooth, deep melody of his voice does something to me that I can’t really define.
Luckily. chemistry is packed with safety information then a safety test at the very end. I have never been more grateful for a damn safety test. The lecture and test keep the class quiet the entire time, which means I don’t have to talk to Everett.
But that didn’t keep him from looking at me, almost constantly. The pull to look back was nearly irresistible, but I stood strong. I didn’t look once! Okay, maybe that’s a lie. I might have looked when he got up to turn in his test. You would think that his khaki dress slacks and navy-blue sweater would make him look pretentious. But he pairs them with white slip-on Vans and pushes his sleeves up giving him a casual prince charming look.
He completely contrasts my baggy ripped jeans, which are tight on my thighs and butt, and old band tee. He is sleek and styled, and I am whatever I can find that fits at the thrift store.
When class is over, he waits for me before he gets up and then follows me out the door like a puppy. What is up with him? Did Cupid make an appearance and strike him with an arrow? The questions are consuming me, and I’m tired of wondering.
I turn so fast he practically runs into me this time.
I have to crane my neck to meet his gaze. He is like a freaking giraffe. I feel like I need to shield my eyes from the sun just to look up at him. He must be at least a foot taller than me, and at 5'4", that puts him at at least 6'4.
“What is your deal? Why the sudden interest in me?”
He seems completely unfazed. Add work on my mean look to my to do list.
“Who said it was sudden? Who’s to say I haven’t been interested for a while?”
Narrowing my eyes, I do all I can to detect his lie.
“How about the girlfriend you’ve had since seventh grade who you recently broke up with?”
He steps into me, our chests brushing, and then he keeps walking. Forcing me back, back, back until I’m pinned against the lockers. His arm comes up to cage me in, his other arm holding his books to his side.
“Have you been watching me, pretty bird?” His voice darkens with the remark.
Holy shit. Stay strong. Don't freak out.
“The whole town watches you. Don’t think you’re special.”
“They may watch me, but I’ve had my eyes on you for a while, Leo.” The way he says my name, it draws me in. Makes me question if I am even capable of denying him. But I am. I have to be.
“Oh-kay, stalker.”
His devilish smirk turns serious. “I’ve been wrapped up in prior obligations. But not anymore, and I’m tired of waiting. I want to getto know you. So why don’t you write me back, and we will go from there?”
He steps back, gives me an innocent smile, and leaves me standing there, speechless. My skin feels like it’s on fire, and all I want to do is run—whether to him or away, I’m not sure.
The rest of the morning till lunch is a blur. I can’t get him out of my head. He has ignited me, sparked a curiosity that I can’t resist. And worst of all, the whispers are already starting. I see more and more people watching me. I hate it. But I don’t hate him. Not even a little bit. At lunch, I decide to pull out his most recent note, and I write a reply.
You can't like me. You don't even know me.
And if I must, I'll stick to notes.
Words are too difficult around you.
—Leo
I leave the library a little early so I can slip the note into his locker. His is not hard to find. All the football players have their number on their locker. And Everett is lucky number seven.
