Airel - Aaron Patterson [3]
I made it to class without incident. “Nice shirt.” Kim, my best friend and shopping diva, gave me a mock glare and sat down next to me. “So. You see the new guy yet?” She looked around and lowered her voice as if it was a crime to be interested in someone new to our little school.
“Ah… no. And what does it matter? It’s not like he’s going to talk to us.” I rolled my eyes, assuming some super-hot guy had just caught her attention, giving her something new to talk about. Kim loved to talk, that much I could count on. I opened up my history book and pretended to read, hoping she would drop the subject, but I knew better.
She was always so energetic. Most people had good days, bad days, and most people’s moods could go from hot to cold... but not Kim. She was full speed ahead, no on-off switch. I loved her for it! Besides, she helped to keep me looking on the bright side of life.
“Come on girl, when he sees you he’ll fall madly in love and beg you for your hand in marriage.” She giggled and then quieted down as Mr. Brashear started the class. I didn’t respond, and Kim didn’t seem to notice. She pretended to read her history book and began texting whoever she was always texting.
Kim had friends at other schools and they literally texted non-stop. I kicked her leg and she grunted, dropping her phone. It clattered on her desk and I smiled. She shot me a death stare and threatened me under her breath.
I zoned out like I did every time the word “history” came up. After all, this class was all about what had already been done before. When it was over, I didn’t have any idea what the teacher had said.
But there is one thing I will never forget as long as I live. The person who changed my world forever…
Chapter II
“Michael Alexander is new to the area. We as a class would like to welcome you to Borah High.” Mr. Brashear introduced Michael and showed him to a seat just one over from mine. It was as if the world stopped and everyone in the room froze. I somehow stepped out of time and space. His blond, almost wheat-colored hair spiked up softly, wildly, in the most out-of-control, amazing way. As he moved through the motionless room, I felt his presence.
I was staring, but I was too numb to realize it. As he looked around the room smiling, I felt my heart speed up as his bright blue eyes fell on me. It was him, Mr. Napkins, the same guy I saw at Moxie Java. I was Miss Coffee Spill but I so wanted to be Mrs. Napkins. I turned my face away as I felt the heat rise to the surface of my face like boiling water.
Michael moved with smooth musical grace. I was gawking at him. I hoped he wouldn’t notice my staring. This was so stupid. Why was I acting like this? I wasn’t boy crazy. I knew, somewhere inside, it was not just because he was hot. Ridiculously, impossibly hot.
Something else drew me to him. Something that felt—dangerous. It wasn’t ‘I’m going to be suddenly hit by a bus while crossing the street’ dangerous; it was more like biting down hard on an achy tooth. It was a delicious pain. It was as if the universe was not only calling my number, but that I realized I had been waiting in line all this time, and I was stunned to find the ticket in my hand. I held my breath without realizing it. The feeling was overpowering. Come on Airel, you don’t believe in this sort of thing! Snap out of it—now!
He looked straight ahead and I shook my head ungracefully. Just as fast as the room had stopped, it began to speed up and I felt a hand on my shoulder. Kim had a big dumb grin all over her face and her eyes were sparkling. “Wow, girl! You are as red as a lobster!”
“What?” I said, it came out like a raspy, forced whisper, but it was all I could manage. Kim was trying not to break out laughing. I slunk down behind my history book. “Shut up, Kim!” But she just smiled and blinked as if she had no idea what I was talking about.
The next thing I remembered was the class bell ringing. I jumped up and rushed out