Page 8 of Visions & Shadows

“You forgot your textbook,” Ryan says as he holds it out to me.

“Oh…” I keep my eyes down while I take the book and quickly shove it into my bag. “Thanks.”

The class starts, and soon, we hit a monotonous tone with onestudent after the other reading their poems, and I allow my mind to wander to the seat beside me.

I wonder where Ryan’s from and why he changed schools in the middle of his senior year.

He’ll probably join the popular crowd. I glance at the other students and notice how Megan keeps staring at Ryan.

Yep, they’ll be a couple before the end of the week.

What Megan wants, Megan gets.

At least she’ll leave Robert alone, which will be good for Molly.

Poor Ryan, though. Megan’s the biggest bitch in school.

As if Ryan can hear my thoughts, he slightly turns his head in my direction.

When the bell rings, I thank my lucky stars I didn’t have to recite my poem. I grab my bag, but before I can dart past Ryan, he gets up, and I’m forced to walk behind him.

Not that it’s a problem because he looks all kinds of fine from behind.

When we enter our math class and Ryan heads straight for the seat beside mine, I frown. I glance at the other open seats and notice everyone in class is staring at us.

Great. This will be all over school before lunch.

As I take my seat, Mr. Frost, who everybody calls Freezo behind his back, begins to rattle on like he always does and hands out quizzes that have everyone groaning.

Math is a hated subject by most students. Half the students’ eyes are already glazed over, and the other half have a permanent confused look as soon as they walk into the class.

The hour feels endlessly long, and there are a couple of times I have to suppress a yawn. When the bell rings it sounds like my favorite song playing.

Just one more class before lunch.

Walking into the hallway, I look at my watch to check the time as I head to my locker. I need to offload a couple of books and grab the one for social studies.

After I’ve swapped books, I close my locker. I’m just about to turn around when a hand comes from out of nowhere and slams into the metal right beside my head, narrowly missing my cheek. My whole body jerks with fright, and air explodes over my lips.

“Asshole,” I mutter as I turn around, but when I see it’s Robert, my heart sinks.

Not again.

“What do we have here?” He shoves me against the locker, a cocky smirk plastered on his face.

When the lock presses hard into my back, I have to grind on my teeth not to wince.

I can’t stand him touching me, and he knows it. He’s a bully, and he thinks he’s better than everyone else. Where most of the girls think he’s hot, the guy gives me the creeps.

I lift my chin, not caring that he’s easily twice my size.

“Back off, Robert. I have a class to go to.” I try to sound as bored as possible to hit his ego hard and bring him down a notch.

I won’t give him the pleasure of seeing me upset because I know it’s what the bastard wants.

Robert glares at me because I’m not showing the desired interest in him, and I can see my words hit the spot I was aiming for.

When I attempt to shove past him, he moves to block my way, laughing in my face while shaking his head. “Why the hurry, sweetling? I’ve noticed you’re real friendly with my new friend. Why not spare me some of that kindness?”

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