Page 2 of Jump on Three

Well, today, two things. My swim had been accomplished. My jump into the pits of hell was still forthcoming.

He looked up, and though he was far away, I knew his gaze was locked on me.

My fingers opened and closed, opened and closed.

This wasn’t happening. Not with him watching me. It probably wouldn’t have happened without him watching me, but I guessed we’d never know.

Relief flooded me as I backed away from the edge and hurried down the ladder. Once my feet were on the rough surface of the pool deck, I exhaled great hurricanes of breath, bracing my hands on my knees from the effort.

Wet footsteps smacked against the floor, alerting me that I was no longer alone on my side of the pool. I straightened, wrapping my arms around my middle, and came face to face with Ivan.

Pool water trickled over the tattoos on his chest and abdomen. His black swimsuit clung to his muscular thighs. In his hands, he held his towel, hardly used. Why have a towel if he was just going to walk around all wet like that?

“Good morning, Evelyn.”

Ivan had a loud voice. It was also deep. And when he spoke in this nearly empty, cavernous room, it resonated.

I winced involuntarily, barely stopping myself from covering my ears.

Ivan made a low hissing sound then took a step toward me. “You didn’t jump.”

He’d lowered his voice without mentioning my reaction, though we both knew he’d noticed. That was nice of him. Or maybe I was wrong and he hadn’t noticed. My judgment had been a little shaky lately.

“I was thinking about it.” Then I remembered I hadn’t returned his greeting. It didn’t seem important to me, but it was expected. “Good morning, Ivan.”

The corner of his mouth hitched. Half a smile for my lackluster nicety. At least it wasn’t a frown.

“Are you scared of heights?” he asked gently, keeping the volume of his voice at a lower level.

There was a swallow tattooed on the side of his neck, its wing stretching toward his ear. I wondered if it had hurt. I cupped my own neck, pressing the spot where the tip of the wing ended.

Ivan’s gaze followed my movements, and I quickly dropped my hand, swallowing hard.

“No. It’s the fall that terrifies me,” I replied, aware I’d already let too much time pass.

“Hmmm.” He folded his arms across his chest, sweeping his eyes over my face. “Then why try to jump?”

My eyes narrowed at him. This was the first time we’d exchanged more than a few words, and I was wary. Why would this boy be interested in me or my fears? There was most likely an ulterior motive behind his approach and questions.

Experience told me this.

Grabbing my towel and flip-flops, I held them to my chest and raised my chin. “To see if I can fly.” Then I marched off to the locker room without another word.

Chapter Two

Evelyn

My stomach was growling. It always did after my morning swims. I tapped my fingers on my thigh as I waited in line at the bakery station in the dining hall. There were three students ahead of me and one cranberry-orange scone left inside the glass display case.

I wanted to keep my eyes on it, but the boy in front of me had turned around and seemed to be speaking to me.

Reluctantly, I slid my headphones down to my neck. “What did you say?”

He grinned, bouncing on his toes. “I asked what’s your favorite thing to order here?”

“Why?”

This boy was familiar, but I wasn’t the best at placing names with faces. I was almost certain he was on the soccer team with my friend Luciana’s boyfriend, Beckett, but I couldn’t be sure. At any rate, I was positive we weren’t friends. Therefore, there was no reason for him to ask what my favorite pastry was.

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