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The bell finally rang and class began. Mr.
Sterling started off taking role. I barely paid attention, not even looking up when my name was called and I replied, “Here.” After he finished with role, Mr. Sterling moved on to the announcements. Typically, it was a tedious task, but today it took a turn for the surprising.
“Alright everyone, I have a few things to discuss before we start class.” Mr. Sterling cleared his throat, trying to shush the whispering
that
had
suddenly
combusted
amongst everyone. I still had my eyes glued to my book, only half listening as he continued, “First off, I’d like to announce that we have two new students joining us today.” Did he just say new students?
My head whipped up. Mr. Sterling was standing behind his podium, sporting a wrinkly grey suit and red striped tie. And, holy crap, standing next to him was Mr. New Guy himself. He had a bored expression on 34/695
his face, his arms folded across his chest, his bright green eyes sparkling beneath the florescent lighting.
The sight of him made my heart skip a beat. I let out an unintentional gasp and quickly flung my hand over my mouth, wanting to smack myself in the forehead for reacting so ridiculously.
Kelsey Merritt—aka the head cheerlead-er who sat at the table in front of me—turned around and shot me one of her infamous you’re-such-a-loser looks. Up until a couple of months ago, she hadn’t even known I was alive. And honestly, I kind of preferred the old way, because her knowing of my existence equaled getting thrown dirty looks and nasty comments. Luckily, I wasn’t much of a reactor. At least on the outside anyway. But today, I didn’t even react on the inside because my mind was fluttering with a billion different thoughts that I could scarcely process. Like why the sight of this guy was 35/695
making me react this way? Because, right now, all I could think about was how beautiful his eyes were and how I had the strongest urge to run my fingers through his messy, yet perfect, dark brown hair. And how he—
All of a sudden, he looked right at me, his eyes full of the same hatred I’d seen in them earlier. I blinked and sank back in my chair, the corners of my eyes burning with tears threatening to spill out. I sucked in a slow breath. I would not let some guy make me cry. I wouldn’t.
“This is Aislin Avery,” Mr. Sterling gestured towards a girl I hadn’t noticed was standing on the other side of him. She was short and slender with golden blonde hair running in waves down to her shoulders.
And she had the same bright green eyes as the new guy. She was dressed in a sparkling pink sweater, jeans, and fur trimmed boots. I instantly got the impression she would 36/695
probably soon be friends with Kelsey Merritt.
Which, I know, is very judgmental of me.
I really shouldn’t assume things about people.
“And this is her brother Alex Avery.” Mr.
Sterling said, motioning at the new guy.
Alex Avery? The name sounded vaguely familiar. Why though? I mean, it wasn’t like I was the kind of person who ran into so many people that I couldn’t keep track of their names. And besides, even if I was, I would have remembered him. Still…the sound of his name sent me into a déjà vumoment.
“Now we just need to find you two a seat,” Mr. Sterling said, scanning the room for some empty chairs.
There were two empty seats at my table, but I wasn’t sure how I felt about them sitting by me.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about anyone sitting by me.
Kelsey Merritt’s hand shot up in the air.
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Mr. Sterling sighed. “Yes, Kelsey.” She flashed her set of pearly white teeth at him and twirled her platinum blond hair around her finger. “I was just going to offer Alex a chair at my table.” How nice of her since she shared a table with her two best friends, Anna Miller and Sarah Monroe—both could pass as her clone I might add—and there were no empty chairs for her to offer up. I scowled at the back of her blonde head, suddenly feeling very territ-orial of Alex. And yes, okay, I knew I in no way had any claim over him. But apparently, when it came to him, I didn’t have any control over my actions.
“Actually, that won’t be necessary, Kelsey,” Mr. Sterling replied, and I could practically hear an eye roll through his voice.
“Gemma’s got two vacant seats at her table.
They both can sit there. That way, no re-arranging will have to be done.” He pointed a 38/695
finger at me and instructed Aislin and Alex to, “Go ahead and take a seat back there.” It was at this very moment that the people I’d gone to school with for the last twelve years suddenly decided to notice me.
The weight of their eyes felt heavy, and I found myself wishing I possessed the power to temporarily make myself invisible. The prickle on my neck let me know I was experiencing my first anxious moment. I shrank down in my chair and focused on the table.
I stayed with my eyes down until a small stack of books landed on the table with a thump.
“Hi.” The girl—Aislin smiled at me as she sat down. “I’m Aislin.”
I gave her a small smile. Did I forget to mention my people skills sucked, big time?
“I’m Gemma.”
She smiled again, unzipped her bag, and pulled out a pen and notebook.
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The chair next to me slid out and Alex sat down in it. I held my breath, waiting nervously for the electricity to attack again. I waited. And waited. And waited some more.
But the electricity seemed to be a no show.
Strange.
Mr. Sterling began his lecture on sky charting. I scratched a few notes down, but my attention kept drifting to Alex. He wasn’t doing anything, not even taking notes. He was leaning back in his chair, his arms resting behind his head, his eyes half open. He looked like he could have cared less about class, like it didn’t matter whether he failed or not.
In the middle of my staring, Alex turned his head toward me, his eyelids lifting open.
Our eyes met and I froze, unable to breath.
And then… he glowered at me.
I’d have loved to have told you that, at that very moment, I decided to stop acting like a fool over a guy who obviously despised 40/695
me, and in response to his hateful glare, I fired one right back at him. But if I told you all of this, I’d be lying. Because all I did was look away and pretend to develop a deep interest in my astronomy book.
Yep, I’m a big chicken.
Class moved on so slowly it was unbearable. The electricity stayed MIA, which had me questioning if I’d imagined the whole thing to begin with. Perhaps when I’d felt it this morning I’d been overly exhausted, and my mind had been playing tricks on me. My sleep had been super crappy due to the reliving-my-death-over-and-over-in-my-nightmares thing.
Then again, maybe I was just losing my mind. There did seem to be many things happening to me that could qualify me as being on the brink of insanity.
But right as the thought crossed my mind that I just might be going off the deep end, I felt it—a spark. Soft at first, barely 41/695
tickling at my fingertips, but growing stronger as it surged up my arms and down my back. I had to catch my breath and remind myself to keep breathing as my body hummedwith heat.