Page 4 of From Me to You

My eyes widened at her rambling. God, she didn’t have a filter, did she?

His gaze locked onto mine.

“Hey, Evy.” He smiled, his beautiful blues imploring my soul.

I swallowed completely flustered by his presence. I don’t think my heart has ever pounded so fast and I was pretty sure my hands were shaking, and I couldn’t explain this feeling. It rushed to me like a high of a rollercoaster.

His eyes were so beautiful, and the blue was so distinct, like a...

“Jay,” I mumbled.

“What?” His brows furrowed in confusion while his eyes moved over my body, taking in my old blue jeans, which had faded so much that I needed a new one, and my worn-out purple hoodie, which probably had a hole somewhere. I was definitely second-guessing my wardrobe choices.

“No Jay like the bird, Blue Jay,” I muttered to myself. I was pretty sure my face flushed beet red in embarrassment.

They all gave me confused looks. Oh, God, I hoped no one heard that.

“Hmm, are you okay, Evy?” Katy asked with a frown on her face.

“Ah yes.” I looked at her. “I am fine.”

Then remembered that I still hadn’t greeted HIM.

“Nice to meet you, Emerson,” I said, turning toward him. He was still looking at me with those eyes. I’d never felt this way before. Gazing into his eyes, it was like I’d known him forever. It felt comfortable, like home, which was weird because I hardly knew him. But I felt something between us, and I had the feeling that it was just the beginning.

CHAPTER 2

I made it halfway through school with no other incidents. I was still reeling about this morning when I had completely embarrassed myself in front of the most gorgeous guy I’d ever seen and I was still thinking about him.

Oh, God, was I having a crush on him? Is this how it felt? I’d never really felt attracted to anyone before. So, I didn’t understand all these feelings.

But with him, it felt different. Like my heart did funny things, my face felt hot, and I couldn’t think straight when I thought of him. Yes, I was most definitely developing a crush on a guy who probably won’t even look at me twice.

You need to get a grip, Evy. You need to stay focused on school and appear calm and collected.I chastised myself as I made my way to the cafeteria to meet Katy.

Yes, I could do that. Calm and collected,I repeated in my head.Deep breaths, Evy. Don’t think of him.I took several deep breaths. My heart rate finally slowed down a bit and I felt myself relaxing.Yes, I could do this!

I smiled as I pulled up a tray and grabbed a sandwich and some water from the counter, which I paid for using my meal card. I stood there with my tray full as I looked around for Katy.

“Evy! We are here!” My head snapped to the table in the far corner at the end of the cafeteria near the windows. I stoppedin my tracks, and my heart thundered—escalating to a new high.Uh-oh, I thought I was calm and collected.

Katy was sitting with the guys and another girl who hadn’t met before. I sighed.I could do this,I said to myself as I made my way over to them. I sat next to Katy, which I soon realized was a big mistake.

“Hey, guys,” I mumbled to everyone, trying hard not to meet the gaze of the person sitting in front of me. HIM.

“Evy, meet Lily, Emerson’s baby sister,” Katy said, pointing to the girl who had raven hair just like Jay. Her eyes were not blue like his but dayum she was just as beautiful. I guess the family was lucky in the genetic department.

Wait, did I just call him Jay in my head? It’s Emerson, Evy. EMERSON.Although he looked a lot like a Jay to me.

Lily was dressed in all-black just like her brother, wearing a faded band T-shirt paired with a pair of dark, ripped jeans. Her eyes were concealed in thick layers of dramatic eyeliner that brought out her striking deep indigo-violet eyes.

“I am not a baby. I am fifteen.” Lily mumbled to no one before turning toward me. “Nice to meet you, Evy.”

“You so are, little mouse. You are the baby of the group.” Mike chuckled at Lily.

“Stop it, Mikey,” Lily replied, blushing.

It seemed like I was not the only one with a crush.What! No, you don’t have a crush. Pull yourself together, Evy!

---