“Are you going to eat that?”
Cassie blinked in surprise, looking away from Devon as Chris leaned over her to point at her brownie. She shook her head, her gaze focused upon the table as she pushed her tray toward him. Devon watched her for a few moments more, oddly fascinated by the way the light played over her delicate features.
She was stunningly beautiful, but it was not desire for her that drew him to her like a moth to a flame. No, it was simply just her. Though he did want her, he wanted even more to be near her, and make sure that she was safe. These protective, tender emotions were new to him, and slightly disconcerting, but he found that he liked them. He wanted them.
More students wandered over to them, they dropped their trays down as their chairs squeaked over the linoleum floors. “Man did you see that game last night?” one of the newer boys asked Chris.
“Yeah,” he mumbled. “Jason, this is Devon.”
Jason was well built, his letterman’s jacket stretched tight over his broad shoulders. Hazel eyes glanced inquisitively at Devon as he gave a brief nod. “Hey,” he greeted absently.
“Hi.”
“And this is Kara, Susan, Billy, and David,” Melissa continued, pointing out the four other new people that had joined them.
The boys nodded to him, the girls stared with open admiration. He could hear the increase of the girl’s heartbeats; sense the excitement that enshrouded them as their blood pulsed more rapidly through their veins. His hunger perked slightly, but drawing on his tight self control, he was able to bury it once more. Though he wasn’t sure how much longer he would be able to keep doing that. Eventually the hunger would take over, and he would need to feed. He hoped he would be able to make it through the rest of this tiring, draining day first.
“Where are you from?” Susan asked eagerly, crossing her hands before her as she leaned forward. Her brown hair had been highlighted with streaks of light blond and twisted into a lose knot. Her light brown eyes were inquisitive and keen.
Devon lifted an eyebrow, fighting a smile. He was from everywhere, but he was sure that they would not appreciate that answer. “New York,” he lied easily.
“Oh really, you don’t have an accent. You must hate having to move to this small, nowhere town after such a big place!”
Melissa and Cassie both sighed heavily, drawing his attention briefly back to them. Cassie’s gaze was still focused on her tray, but he could sense her disquiet. “I was from upstate New York, a town smaller than this one, so it’s actually an improvement.”
“Why did you move here?”
Devon shrugged, he didn’t like to lie, but most of his existence was based on one giant lie. “I needed a change of scenery.”
“I hope you’re not a Yankee’s fan,” Jason muttered.
“I don’t really follow sports.”
Cassie glanced up at him, a small smile curved her full mouth and her eyes twinkled with amusement. He found himself lost to her, unable to think straight as her eyes took him hostage. “That’s great. Maybe I could show you around tonight or something. You know, show you where all the hotspots are,” Susan continued eagerly.
“What hotspots?” Billy retorted irritably.
Susan rolled her eyes at him. “There are a few.”
“B’s and S’s?”
“The Lookout and Standish beach,” Susan retorted impatiently.
“Whoopee.”
Susan glared at Billy briefly before focusing her attention back on Devon. “Anyway, if you would like, I’ll take you around and show you everything.”
Billy and David shook their heads in disgust; they turned their attention away from Susan as they started talking about football. “Thank you, but I think I’m all set.”
Susan’s pretty face fell in disappointment. “Well, if you change your mind let me know.”
He gave her a brisk nod before focusing on Cassie once more. She was watching him silently, her eyes steady and calm as he met her gaze. His heart seemed to lurch again, for a moment he felt it beating fiercely in his chest, and then it was dead once more. Whatever the strange connection between him and this girl was, he didn’t think he would ever get used to it, or understand it.
He couldn’t take his eyes away from her as she lowered her lids slowly, once again focusing on the table as she dropped her half eaten apple on the tray. The loud ringing of the bell caused everyone to lurch to their feet like Pavlov’s dogs. Devon raised an eyebrow at the sign of automatic obedience, but he found himself following suit.
Her eyes met his again, her hands clenched tighter upon her tray. There was a sad acceptance in her gaze that he didn’t understand, a look of resignation that touched something deep inside him. He longed to reach out and touch her, longed to ease the aching loneliness he sensed radiating from her.
Melissa was before him again, her dark eyes twinkled brightly, amusement radiated from her as she smiled. Melissa glanced briefly at Cassie, her knowing smile widened. “What’s your next class?” He tore his attention away from Cassie, slipping the well used schedule from his pocket as he handed it to Melissa. “Oh good, Cassie and I have American history now too.”
Cassie inhaled sharply, a look of utter panic descended over her face once more. He was becoming accustomed to that look, he didn’t like it, but he was adjusting to it. For a moment it seemed she was going to bolt from the room again as her eyes darted frantically around. Then, her focus came back to him; a steely resolve descended over her as she nodded briskly, turned sharply on her heel, and hurried to the nearest trash can.
She dumped her mostly untouched lunch.
CHAPTER 5
Cassie shifted uncomfortably, her whole body hurt. She had taken quite the pounding in training today, pushing herself extra hard in the hopes that the exertion would help to bury the memory of the strange man that had walked into her life. It had not worked.
Cassie rolled her shoulders, trying to work the tension out of them. The hot water of her shower had helped to ease some of the tightness in them, but it had not relaxed them completely. She dressed slowly, listening to the TV as she ran the brush through her tangled hair. She winced as it got caught on a snarl but pulled it swiftly through.
Limping slightly, she pulled the door open. Chris was sitting Indian style on her bed, his hands folded before as he leaned toward the TV. The Red Sox were in the race for the playoffs and he was riveted. Cassie shook her head as he groaned loudly, pounding his fist onto the bed. “Damn, these guys are killing me!”