Page 9 of Visions & Shadows

Ugh! I’d rather slam my head against the wall. Repeatedly.

I have a bad temper and little control over it when it comes to this jerk, and hearing he’s already friends with Ryan is disappointing as hell.

“You’re not worth my time, let alone my kindness,” I mutter. “Why don’t you go crawl back down that hole you just came out of and leave me the hell alone.”

I shove past him and breathe a sigh of relief when I actually get away.

Still aggravated about the unwelcome run-in with Robert, I make itto class in the nick of time.

I’m not even surprised to find Ryan sitting in the seat next to mine.

When I place the book down between us, I notice my hands are still trembling. Taking my seat, I can feel Ryan looking at me.

After a while, I can’t stop myself and dare a fleeting look at him. Seeing concern tightening his features, I’m surprised.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

I nod while sucking in a deep breath, then open the textbook and try to focus on social studies.

Chapter 2

Jane / Alchera

The shrill bell finally signalsthe long-awaited lunch hour that I’m in desperate need of.

Finally, I can recharge my batteries.

When I stand up, my phone beeps with an incoming message, and preoccupied with reading the text Molly sent, I move toward the aisle.

Molly: I’m going shopping with the girls after school.

Why am I not surprised?

Unfortunately, Ryan picks that exact second to step to his left. The next thing I know, I plow face-first into his chest. He grabs hold of my shoulders, his touch downright electric.

“Crap…uhm...” Muffled words are all I can get out between my nervous breaths. “Sorry.”

That’s when it hits me. I’m practically standing in Ryan’s arms.

My hands are on his chest.

Holy shit.

My eyes dart wildly through the classroom to see if anyone is watching, and it’s in time to see Robert laughing at us before he steps out into the hallway.

A wave of embarrassment washes over me, and it doesn’t take my face long to reach the darkest shade of burgundy known to mankind.

When I turn my attention back to Ryan and our eyes meet, he loosens his grip on me while asking, “You okay?”

“Yeah…sure,” I reply, my fast breaths making the words come out in a rush.

Ryan is friends with Robert.

An uneasy feeling trickles into my chest.

“I’m okay.” I’m relieved to hear I at least sound somewhat normal.

My eyes lower to where my hands are still plastered against his chest. I yank them away, feeling like a total idiot, and it makes my cheeks burn even hotter.

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