Admittedly, he was something all right. But that was no reason to stare at him like that.
I’m sure he has an ego big enough; no need to boost it further, I thought bitterly, angry with myself for checking him out, before settling for a reasonable excuse that seemed to appease my mind. I had merely been getting to know my new classmate, or so I tried to convince myself. I was just a curious little thing, nothing more... Yeah, I had no interest in him whatsoever.
The teacher asked him to take a seat wherever he wanted. There were some desks available; three near some all too eager girls, and one beside a boy – with an equally big ego – who was sitting two desks ahead of me.
Surprisingly, he headed to that one last desk, before grabbing it and effortlessly pulling it up over his head, making a show of rippling muscles for the greedy eyes of those shallow girls as he walked straight towards me.
My eyes widened, horrified. My heart accelerated, pounding hard against my chest.
What the hell is he doing? I thought, panic rising within me.
He put the desk right beside mine, too close for my liking, yet with enough room for a person to slide in between.
“What do you think you’re doing?” The outrage couldn’t be clearer in the teacher’s voice.
Yeah, just what do you think you’re doing? I wanted to repeat but refrained from doing so, not wanting to draw attention to myself.
“I like the back,” The new student stated matter-of-factly. I felt his eyes upon me; and I all but winced at the scrutiny I was being subjected to.
I felt other stares and was almost petrified to notice the envy, the jealousy and the warning looming in the eyes of probably all of my female classmates. I stiffened before shifting uncomfortably in my seat, fidgeting with my hands nervously at the unwanted display of attention.
Here goes my comfortable little routine, I inwardly sighed, trying –and succeeding– to ignore his hot stare the best way I could.
Fortunately, the teacher clapped his hands to have the classroom’s attention back and the lesson soon started.
My perfect little plan of “No attention, no boys, no drama, no troubles” seemed so far away right now; I almost wanted to cry – almost.
He had already granted me the first forbidden fruit.
How long would it take for him to break my other resolutions? I couldn’t be less sure. I only knew I would most definitely not succumb to him. If he thought I was one of those easy, shallow girls who would stop at nothing to have his attention, who would just throw themselves at him, he had another thing coming.
“I’m Jonathan,” he whispered to me.
A small hum in acknowledgment was all he got in response as I stubbornly kept my gaze on the teacher lecturing us.
Chapter 2
Confrontation
It was finally noon, and I wasn’t ashamed to say I have been avoiding the new guy like the plague. It was not an act of cowardice, mind you; I just needed time to prepare myself for the confrontation which would be coming soon. I was retreating to strike harder, just like a runner who takes a few steps back to jump better.
Besides, let’s face it; girls were surrounding him all the time like vultures or bodyguards, I couldn’t decide – though I thought it was rather the former. And for once, I was not disgusted by their behavior, I felt actually grateful.
I entered the cafeteria and instantly felt uncomfortable with all the unusual staring I earned. I bought my food hastily before heading towards the table I had become now used to.
There, I found a blond-haired guy with green smoldering eyes who was approximately my age. He outstretched his hands when he saw me, and I put my tray on the table before hugging him tightly.
“We have lunch together?” I exclaimed happily.
“Yes, isn’t that cool?” He replied cheerily.
“It’s more than cool! It’s freaking awesome, Seth!” I cried out, contented against his chest.
He chuckled softly and was going to say something before we heard a deep weird noise that sounded somehow like a growl.
We moved apart before staring at the glaring raven boy.
Argh, Jonathan! I should have guessed.
Can’t a girl have a break or something? I didn’t even do a thing to have him on my back –metaphorically speaking, of course! I inwardly sighed.
“A friend of yours?” Seth asked me in a soft tone, his voice dripping with affected politeness.
“Uh-uh,” I instantly denied while sitting on the chair opposite him. “Just ignore him,” I added calmly, giving him a “don’t-ask” look.
Seth just shrugged before sitting at the table with me, whereas he stood still, clenching and unclenching his fists for some time before saying in a hoarse voice, “We had history together!”
Huh? My mind went blank for a second before I realized he was talking about the class. He sure has a way with words, I internally mused.
“That doesn’t make you my friend,” I told him flatly, chewing idly on my slice of pizza, not even sparing him one glance.
It almost surprised me how easy it seemed to speak with him that way. Though I wasn’t one to be rude generally, I just couldn’t help it with him, it seemed.
“I spoke with you,” he said, irritation taking over his features.
“No, you spoke to me, and I ignored you!” I answered him, using my sweetest voice while throwing him a pointed look.
He huffed angrily before leaning to me growling the words, “You hugged him!”
“I know him,” I answered him straight away, outraged at the unjustified accusation.
“Dude, back off!” Seth’s voice was soft, but the warning was quite clear behind his words.
Jonathan glared at him briefly before spitting out a venom-coated “I haven’t addressed you.” He then turned back to me.
That last sentence did it. I slammed my hand on the table, got up, looked him dead in the eyes, then asked him icily, stressing out each word, “What is your problem?”
He didn’t get the chance to answer me because a shriek came out from behind him,
