Page 15 of Visions & Shadows

“I’m new in town and could use a friend,” he says. “I was hoping you’d be that friend.” I’m so stunned by what he’s telling me I almost miss it when he asks, “Which guys are you talking about, and what prank?”

Once again, my eyes have a mind of their own, and I can’t keep from looking at his face. He’s still frowning and even looks a little pissed off.

I glance toward the home ec building, then say, “It’s nothing. Just Robert and his friends.” I take a step away from him. “I have to go, or I’llbe late. See you around.”

“I’ll see you in biology,” Ryan murmurs, his eyes not leaving me as I start to walk away.

When I reach the classroom, I glance back toward the main entrance and see Ryan’s still staring at me. I try to act casual but then notice many of the girls are watching the interaction between him and me.

Yup, Ryan’s talking to me. Eat your hearts out, girls.

Chapter 3

Jane / Alchera

I’ve hardly taken a seatwhen Molly sits down next to me.

I roll my eyes, knowing what’s coming. “First, you sit in front of me, and now you’re sitting next to me. Big step for you, Molly. Aren’t you scared of what your friends might think?”

“They’ll get over it.” She’s almost sitting on my damn lap. “Spill it.”

I shake my head and can’t help but smile at her eagerness to find out what happened between Ryan and me.

“He just said hello. You’re the popular one. Why don’t you go talk to him yourself?”

She stares at me as if I’ve lost my mind. “Firstly, a girl does not approach a guy. It would make me look desperate. Out of everyone in the school, you’re the only one he’s given any attention to. He apparently snubbed Robert’s invite to hang with them.”

So it wasn’t an act? Ryan really wants to be friends with me.

Holy shit.

I’m stunned by this piece of information but manage to hide my reaction from Molly.

I grin at her. “Looks like he has brains and taste.”

Molly falls for my act and doesn’t see how her news has thrown me for a loop.

“Ugh, you’re no help,” she snaps at me.

Getting up, she returns to her loyal followers, who are eagerly waiting to hear what she could find out about Ryan.

During class, I can’t stop thinking about what Molly said and the fact that the hottest guy I’ve ever laid eyes on wants to hang out with me.

The bell rings, and when I walk to my next class, I feel all the students staring at me.

Geez, it’s going to take a while before they find something new to focus on.

When I walk into biology, Ryan’s sitting at our desk, drumming his fingers impatiently on the wood, but the moment he lays eyes on me, he visibly relaxes.

Now I feel like shit. Maybe he struggles to make friends like I do.

As I get close, he gets up and pulls out my chair. I stop dead in my tracks, flabbergasted by the chivalrous gesture.

Holy crap, not only is he hot, but he’s also a gentleman.

Wait. Am I still asleep and dreaming?

That would suck ass.

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