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“I just …” His confusion doubles. “I just don’t get it. I mean, you’re easy to talk to, amusing, and beautiful; how can you have never dated anyone?”
Okay, now I’m going into full-on squirm mode. I don’t do well with compliments and, to be honest, I almost just want to take off, because I feel like I’m about to shed this layer of skin and all my secrets will be totally exposed.
“I’m sorry if I’m making you uncomfortable,” he says.
“You’re fine,” I assure him. “I just don’t do well with compliments and stuff.”
“I get that,” he tells me understandingly then squeezes my hand. “I’ll try to be a better friend and stop complimenting you.” The corners of his lips twitch as he attempts to lighten the mood.
I can’t help smiling just a bit.
Of course, that smile falters as he pulls me to a stop in front of a closed classroom door.
“Let me guess … This is our class?” I ask with a heavy sigh.
He gives my hand another squeeze before letting go. “Yep. If you want to hide behind me, you can.”
“I think that might make it worse.” Sucking in an inhale, I square my shoulders. “No, I got this.”
And for a moment, I do. That is, until we walk into the classroom and everyone turns to look at us, including Dixie May. When she sees me, her eyes narrow and a smirk twists at her lips.
“You’re so going down,” she mouths. “Payback is a bitch.”
I’m not sure what she’s planning, but I’ll admit, as much as I don’t want to be afraid of her, I also don’t want to lose my new friends.
What if she does something to ruin that? Can I handle it?
6
Raven
Despite Dixie May’s threat,walking into the classroom isn’t too awful. The teacher doesn’t make a big deal about there being a new student, and I get to sit in the desk beside Jax’s at the back of the classroom. But I’m twitchy during class, and not just because of Dixie May. No, everyone keeps staring at me. And when I say staring, I mean full-on gawking.
During a brief break where the teacher has us working on an assignment—a poem of all things—I lean over and whisper to Jax, “Do you guys really not get that many new people here or something?”
He’s scribbling something down but pauses and glances up at me. He seems a little out of it, like he’s just coming out of a daze or something.
“What …?” He trails off, scanning the room. A frown touches his lips as he glances back at me. “Yeah, so I didn’t want to freak you out in the hallway, but I kind of figured this would happen. Not just because you’re the new girl, and you … well, all those things I said about you that I promised I wouldn’t say anymore.” A slight smile touches his lips, but then it fades as he heaves a sigh. “I’m guessing part of the staring probably has to do with the fact that you walked into class with me.”
My brow curves upward. “Why?”
He shrugs, tapping his pencil against the desk, his leg bouncing up and down restlessly, causing the chain dangling from his belt loop to jingle. “People aren’t really used to seeing me, Hunter, or Zay hang out with anyone outside our circle. At least, not while we’re in school. So, I have a feeling you’re gonna have people interested in you because of that. Then add in the fact that you’re the new girl who’s … Well, you know what I think of you … But yeah …” He clears his throat, his knee bouncing even more.
I’m uncertain how I feel about what he just told me, but if he’s right, then I guess I’ll have to figure out a way to get used to it. Or just get more stoned in the morning.
“You’re nervous?” I state, not wanting to talk about me anymore.
He glances at me in puzzlement. “Huh?”
I give a pressing glance at his bouncing knee. “You’re nervous.”
His leg stops moving. “It’s not that I’m nervous. I’m just not a fan of people watching me, either. I like to try to blend in with the shadows.” He gives a swift glance around the classroom and, unlike when I look around, everyone hurries to avoid his gaze.
“Well, at least they stop looking atyouwhen you make eye contact with them.” I grimace. “When I tried to do that, they either smirk or just openly gawk.”
His lips kick up into a half-smile. “That’s because they’re afraid of me.”
“Right.” I make mocking spooky fingers, and he laughs. “To be honest, I don’t really find you guys that scary.”
