Page 11 of Life Blood
“You know, I forgot I gave you more time on that. Consider it a paper you don’t need to turn in. Your grade will not be affected either way.”
Like I’m supposed to trust your memory? I don’t think so.
“Here’s my new paper anyway,” I forced a smile. “Thanks for making an exception, though.”
After contributing to my crappy day yesterday.
“Elle,” she said in a sympathetic voice. Her chair squeaked as she swiveled to face where I stood, “Again, I am really sorry about your grandmother.”
I felt tears pooling in my eyes, but I shut down the waterworks before they started.
“Thanks,” I managed, “I have to get going. I have a lot of homework and have to be at work early today.”
“You’re a good student, Elle. Keep up the good work,” her voice faded in the background as I left the class.
I walked briskly past the empty classrooms on my way to meet David so he could give me a ride home. When I reached the parking lot, I saw his car turning out of the school, speeding down the street toward his house, leaving a long line of cars waiting to pull out behind him.
Are you kidding me? WHY do I rely on this asshole!?
I took a deep breath, trying to control my inner rage over being completely forgotten about once again. I turned and started walking in the direction of my house when a sensation washed over me that I couldn’t explain. My frustration melted away, and I felt suddenly calm.
“Miss Simms?” a smooth voice called out.
I looked over to see it was one of the Banners who I hadn’t met before. His honey-blonde hair was neatly trimmed, and when his topaz eyes met mine, I couldn’t help but stare at the uniqueness of them. He was perfection.
Keep it in check, Elle!
“Yes,” I answered, still feeling the sensation of the uplifted mood I was suddenly in.
“You look like you might need a ride home?” His lips twisted up into a smile. “Unless you are waiting for someone already?”
I had to pull my eyes away from staring at the gold flecks in his. “Yeah, my boyfriend,” I said. For some reason, I didn’t hate David at this moment. It was as though I’d taken a happy pill. “Thank for the offer, but I don’t think we’ve met.”
“Well, I should introduce myself,” he said, “and, more importantly, I should apologize for my cousin, Logan. I heard he might’ve behaved a bit rudely in history class today.”
“Oh?” I said absently as I stared at how gorgeous he was. He was so tall, I only came up to his biceps…oh my God, his biceps. They were chiseled, veins popping, and they stretched out the cotton of his short-sleeved shirt.
Good God!How were these guys real? Physical perfection had never been more apparent. My eyes drifted up to his face, and I knew the smirk on his face gave me away.
Face-to-face gawking. Way to make yourself look like an idiot, Elle.
“You’re staring at me,” he said with a laugh. “So will you accept my apology on behalf of my cousin?”
“How would you know anything about how he acted?” I said as I cleared my throat and snapped out of my trance. “And for the record, I’m not staring at you. I’m just trying to figure why you’re out here apologizing to me.”
Semi-decent cover-up.
“I saw Logan in the hallway after he ditched out of class, then I saw you practically tripping over your feet to get to the restroom. After class, I asked him if anything had happened, and it seemed to me like you might have been upset by him. Maybe I’m wrong, maybe there’s nothing to apologize for.”
I shrugged, “It was nothing. You must have been pretty bored in your own class to see all of that.” This conversation was strange, to say the least.
“Trig,” he said with a laugh, “It’s not very challenging for me, I’m usually daydreaming through it.”
“It must be nice to be so effortlessly smart,” I said a bit more rudely than I had intended. “You don’t need to worry about your cousin. He acted weird. That’s all.”
“We’re just trying to fit in. Everyone seems a little cliquey at the school. Logan acting like a dumbass doesn’t exactly make people want to be friends with us.”
I laughed, “This entire rinky-dink town is filled with cliques, and if you’re not with thecool kids,” I rolled my eyes as I made air quotes with my hands, “then you’re pretty much on your own. These idiots forget they aren’t in high school anymore. Don’t worry about it though. From what I hear, it sounds like you and your cousins will fit in just fine.” I stepped back, “I’m not sure I got your name.”
