Entrelacen (30 page)

“I hope he goes to the early training camp.” He’s
grinning like a hyena. I wish I could see what he does to
him.
At least this school is closer to civilization than our
old school. The break there wasn’t long enough to try and
get food outside of the cafeteria.
We finish our lunch from McDonald’s and head
back inside for our last two classes. The whole way to my
math class, I feel the strange sensation that I’m being
stalked. I shake off the feeling. It’s probably just Derik
following me, anyway.
Skeeter smiles and waggles her eyebrows at me
when I take the empty seat behind her. I shrug, causing her
to roll her eyes.
“You’re hopeless, Jaz.” She rolls her eyes
dramatically. “Who’s the hottie that you left with at
lunch?”
“Oh, you mean my brother? His name is Henry.”
Her eyes nearly pop out of her head. Am I really
that bad looking that my brother being ‘hot’ is so strange
and shocking? I mean, I know I didn’t apply much make-
up today or do anything special with my hair. But I thought
I was at least pretty.
“Can I hang out at your place before school? I’d love
to see that freshly showered,” she says while fanning
herself.
“Oh wow, gross.” I scrunch my face, but then I laugh
because Skeeter wants to be oneof the ‘fan club’ girls.
A few minutes into class, the door swings wide open
with a bang. I slowly look over and talk about a “hottie,”
standing there is an extremely handsome boy, if you can
even classify him as a “boy.” He has short, curly, dark
brown hair, eyes as green as grass, a strong chiseled jaw,
and the body of an NFL football player.
The kind of guy that makes your eyes bug out,
your mouth water, your heart beat out of your chest, and
your brain turn to mush. And I have all of those symptoms.
Ilook down at my desk as my cheeks heat. I wish I’d
taken the time to dress to impress instead of comfort. It’s
my sister’s favorite band t-shirt. I wanted to feel close to
her. I missed our traditional first day of school breakfast,
chocolate chip pancakes and preparatory first-day insults.
I ignore those thoughts and try focusing on the next
problem.
“Making an entrance, Mr. Neill? Take your seat and
begin with the problems on the board,” Mr. Wolfe says.
Mr. Neill makes his way towards my side of the room
silently and sits in the empty seat behind me. I stiffen, and
might even be holding my breath.
I wonder if he’s looking at the back of my head
instead of working on the problems Mr. Wolfe listed. I
wonder if my hair is sticking up all demented looking or
with a French fry sticking out of my hair. I fidget
throughout the class, run my hands through my hair,
straighten my shirt, and shift in my seat.
When Mr. Wolfe announces the end of the lesson,
Skeeter turns in her seat to face me. “So, Jaz, I’m curious.
How do you know Leland Jefferies?”
That’s one question I’m not ready to answer, maybe
not ever.
Leland’s a local celebrity and was active in the
community with my mom, well, before the accident. If
Skeeter figures out he’s my uncle she’ll know exactly who
I’m and what happened to my family.
“Skeeter, itsJasmine’s first day. Can’t you wait for her
second or third day to get her life story?” It’s the
distractingly hot guy behind me who says it.
I turn in my seat and openly stare at him.
He knows my name.
Oh God, he knows my freaking name.
He smiles, “I didn’t mean to startle you. My name is
Seth. I’ve been hearing your name a lot today.”
Crap.
It’s
probably my runaway act or because of the argument with
Derik before lunch.
He has a gorgeous smile, and I find myself smiling
back at him.
What else am I supposed to do?
The green of his eyes is so beautiful, incredible
even. It’s like I’m hypnotized by them. I can’t seem to look
away. I just hope I remember to breathe.
“What class do you have next?” he asks me.
“Uhh…” Damn! Why didn’t I take the time to
memorize my schedule?
“She’s got study hall with Mrs. Kling,” Skeeter
answers for me and breaks the spell. I look at her with
surprise written all over my face. “Sweetie, your schedule
is in your hand, and close your mouth. You don’t wanna
drool,” she whispers before walking over to the group of
kids standing by the door, leaving me with Mr. BrainFreeze-Inducer, himself.
“Could I walk you to class? I have study hall with
Mrs. Kling too.”
Think Jazzy…work your puddle-brain and your
mouth to form a sentence already!
“Yeah, su-susure.” Oh my God! I can’t believe I
actually stuttered.
When the bell rings, he points me in the correct
direction to get to our class.
“So, how do you like it here so far?”
“It’s um…great?” That really came out sounding like
a question.
I’m pretty sure my cheeks are going to be stained
red for eternity.
He laughs at my answer. “That good, huh? Well I
have to say, Derik Little isn’t the best person to bring out
the welcome wagon. Good thing you stopped his
advances.”
He heard about that. My face is probably plaid by
now.
My foot catches on something and I lose my
balance and start falling. I close my eyes just as my arm
starts tingling.
“Woah, there,” Seth says.
He caught my arm and stopped me from falling.
“Thank you.” I smile to him.
I didn’t think it was possible, but I feel my cheeks
get redder.
I turn to see what I tripped on and a short little
redhead is glaring at me. I recognize her from the
volleyball team. Pretty sure she was the one that tried to
use her face to block my spike.
I smile at the memory and to her. She huffs and
walks away.
Seth moves his hand from my arm.
My smile falls and my mood plummets again.
Weird. I feel just like I have been feeling all day.
I shiver and cross my arms over my chest. I was
just truly happy. Something I haven’t actually felt in
months now.
Henry suddenly storms over to us. He takes in my
stance and I’m sure, the confused look on my face, and
glares at Seth.
Seth holds out his hand to shake. “Hey man, I’m
Seth.”
Henry glances at his hand, then looks back up to
his face. “I’m Henry, and I’m getting sick of punks messin’
with my sister.” I stare at him horrified, and he grabs my
arm and starts pulling me towards my class. “Let’s get you
to class Jazzy.”
“Henry, I’m fine, just embarrassed.” I try shaking him
off me. “Some girl tripped me and Seth caught me,” I
whisper harshly. I wish he could read my mind so he can
see that Seth isn’t being rude.
“Just lookin’ out for ya, Jazzy. I’m a little on edge
since lunch.” He shrugs one shoulder. I know he thinks
he’s being a good big brother, but he’s really embarrassing
me.
“I know,” I sigh.
“Okay.” He grins. “See ya at the car, Jazzy!” He
calls over his shoulder as he walks away again.
I smile apologetically at Seth and he returns a smile of
his own.
“I have a question for you,” Seth asks as we head to
the door. “Do you prefer Jasmine or Jazzy?”
Oh thank God! This I can answer! “I prefer Jaz,
actually.”
I go talk to the teacher and she tells me there’s no
set seating chart so I can sit wherever I’d like.
I choose the seat next to Seth, and he smiles at me.
All I can seem to think about is that smile of his
and those lips. What would it feel like to have those lips
on…
Stop it Jaz!
I pull out my English book and force myself to
think of anything else besides the strange, gorgeous boy
sitting next to me.