“We?”
“Ara, you know Vicki cares for you, too.”
I scoffed unintentionally loud.
“She’s just trying to give you space,” he said. “She’s afraid you’ll accuse her of trying to replace your mom.”
I rolled my eyes. “Okay, Dad. I’ll try—with Vicki. It’s hard, you know. I’m just afraid to let her in, that’s all.”
His stern expression melted and he stood up. Then, even with his next class filling the room behind us, he still walked all the way around his desk and wrapped his arms around me—really tightly. I patted his back, dreading the thought of everyone watching.
“Um, Dad. Sorta need to breathe here.”
The old man pulled back and held me at arm’s length. “I love ya, honey. Now get to class, you’re late.”
I waved and threaded my other arm through my backpack, making haste for the exit—with thirty pairs of eyes burning into my spine.
Warm water splashed over my wrists, spraying up in my face a little. I readjusted the faucet and rubbed my hands together under the soft flow of water, studying my face in the mirror. The last time I looked at myself in this mirror, I felt completely alone, isolated, unsure. But so much had changed since my first day of school, and even my reflection somehow looked different.
I smiled, drawing my hands away from the basin and dried them on my jeans as the door opened and two cackling girls came in with the steady breeze.
“Oh, hey, new girl.” Gypsy bumped her hip playfully with mine.
“Hi.” I shouldered my schoolbag. “Did you guys come in here to bitch about somebody else today, or am I on the hotlist?”
“Actually, you are on the hotlist.” She leaned on the counter, folding her arms. “Rumour has it you and David Knight are an item.”
“Rumour would be correct—this time.” I folded my arms and leaned beside her.
“You know there’s only one reason that boy dates girls—and it’s not love,” Summer said, propping her hand on her hip.
I shrugged. “He loves me.”
“Yeah, right.” Summer’s eyes flicked to Gypsy. “He says that to every girl.”
“I’m sure he does.” I stood up from my lean. “But, I bet he’s never said it to you.”
Her head bopped from side to side in the hollow of her shoulders. “What if he has?”
“Nah, I doubt that.” I shook my head, gazing down my nose at her as I passed. “You’re a little out of his league—he only likes us ugly girls.”
Her mouth fell open, allowing for a high-pitched huff. “You bitch.”
“Uh, Summer. I think that was a compliment,” Gypsy said, looking a little confused. “I think she just said you’re pretty.”
“Have a nice lunch,” I called over my shoulder as I stepped out of the stinky toilet block, leaving them and their gossip where it belonged.
“Ara?”
The white glare of the open corridor framed the silhouette of a boy. “David? I thought we were meeting in the auditorium for lunch.”
He unhitched himself from the railing. “We are, but I…”
“You?”
“You were late, so I went looking for you. Then I saw Summer and Gypsy, and…”
“Aw.” I slid my hands inside his denim jacket and snuggled against his chest. “You were worried about me.”
“I’m sorry.” He kissed the crown of my head. “I know you can take care of yourself, but I…I just didn’t want them to make you cry again.”
“Aw, David.” I hugged him tighter, smiling like a little kid, breathing deep his vibrant, heart-tingling scent—all sugary and mouth-watering. “You’re so sweet.”
“Mr Knight!” a booming voice shocked my thoughts from inappropriate paths. “Not on school grounds.”
“Certainly, Mr Rogers. Won’t happen again.” David held me out from his chest.
I kept my face down until Mr Rogers passed. “Didn’t you see him coming?”
“Yes, but what was I supposed to do?”
“Warn me.”
He smiled his secret smile. “Getting sprung showing affection on school campus is not a good enough reason to step away when you’ve got your arms around me like that.”
“Maybe not for you, but he might tell my dad.”
“He won’t.” David started walking—without touching me. “He was a boy once, himself. He understands.”
“So does my dad. Except when it comes to me.”
“Okay, we won’t touch at school, then. Will that make you happy?”
“No. Just keep watch, next time. What good is a vampire boyfriend if he can’t use his powers to keep you outta trouble?”
“Oh, I don’t know, I must be good for something.” He grinned widely, opening the door for me.
“Well, you’re a good kisser, but that’s the human in you—not the vampire.”
“That’s because the vampire me hasn’t kissed you yet.”
“Ooh.” I pretended to feel a shiver down my spine. “Well, maybe you should let him out for a while, then.”
David leaned closer as we passed a group of students. “Meet me under the stage, and I’ll show him to you.”
“Don’t tempt me.”
The second toll of the lunch bell rang loudly as David went to speak. He swallowed his sentence, remaining quiet until we reached the auditorium. “After you,” he said, opening the door.
“Thank you, kind sir.” I curtsied, making him laugh. I loved making him laugh.
“Hey, guys.” Ryan stood up and waved from the front of the room.
“Ryan. Emily.” David nodded.
“How’s rehearsal going?” I asked, stashing my schoolbag next to the group of desks.
“Eh—” Ryan shrugged. “Haven’t started. We’ve mostly been making paper airplanes and seeing who can hit the lighting rig.”
“Sounds productive.” I looked at Emily, who rolled her eyes and leaned on her hand.
“This might be a little cold,” David said, sliding a tray of food in front of me, then flashed a wildly mischievous grin. “I made it to the cafeteria line first.”
“Well—” I sat down between him and Emily, digging my fingertip into the lukewarm nachos, “—you do run really fast.”
“So, Ara, did you get totally busted by your dad?” Alana asked.