3

Hope

Zade and his brother are in my next class too. Now that I don’t have a huge masculine distraction, I can pay attention to my surroundings. This teacher also introduces me but does not make me talk about myself. This class is pretty laid back. The teacher says she doesn’t have everything together yet for this semester and that we can use it as a study hall for today. Since we just came from break, everyone decides to just talk. I figure I will use this opportunity to meet Zade’s brother, since I really wasn’t paying attention last period. His name is Zander.

The guys are super entertaining. They have me laughing the whole time. Different girls approach them throughout class to ask about their winter break. Or simply flirt shamelessly. They barely give them a moment of their time. Then they are back to asking me questions about my life. They seem genuinely interested. Neither has flirted or said anything inappropriate. That makes me feel more comfortable. Maybe they can become good friends. They also tell me a little bit about themselves. They are both very handsome. I hadn’t noticed when I was in the presence of such perfection last period. But now that I am not face to face with Mr. Kingston, I can see why the girls are trying to flirt. They are tall. Maybe six feet or more. Muscular. They have a little bulkier look than Mr. Kingston. He had a leaner muscular look. Am I going to compare everyone to him from now on?

I notice Zade is the outgoing one. He likes sports. Zander seems a little more sensitive. He’s into music and art. Interesting. But they both look like they work out. We have lunch break together and they offer to eat with me. They sit at a table with a bunch of guys who look like football players and girls who look like cheerleaders. The guys give me a little too much attention and the girls give me a few glares. I don’t like it. The twins pick up on my discomfort and suggest that we eat outside. I jump at that offer. We sit at a picknick table under a tree. Two smaller boys approach us. When they get all the way to the table, both of their eyes open wide, and they stare at me. Zade clears his throat, and they snap out of it. “This is our new friend Hope. She just moved here from California.” I shake hands with the two boys, and they introduce themselves. Soon they leave. “Family friends.” Zander says, as an explanation.

The guys ask a lot of questions about my family, my parents, what they do for a living. Where I have lived before this. It would seem kind of intrusive and personal. But they ask so kindly that I don’t mind. They answer all my questions as well. They both show me to my classes the rest of the day. They are outside my last class when I exit. “Do you have a car? We can give you a ride home.” Zander offers. “My Mom is picking me up. But she won’t be able to tomorrow because she’ll be at work. So how about then?” They both agree and stand with me until I see my mom. They walk with me right up to the car. “Hello Mrs. Christianson, I’m Zade and this is my brother Zander. We offered to drive Hope home tomorrow if you don’t mind. We can give you our phone numbers if that would make you feel more comfortable.” Zade offers. My Mom smiles and hands him a pen and paper that are sitting there in the car. “Nice to meet you boys. Thank you for the offer. That will be fine, until Hope gets another car.”

They offer their goodbyes, and we head home. “They are so cute. Your own personal bodyguards.” Mom exclaims. I laugh at her. “They are, but I think I will keep them as friends. I’m afraid I would have too much competition.” I tell her with humor in my voice. “Oh, come on, you are totally gorgeous Hope.” “Okay, Mom, whatever you say.” I tell her about the rest of my day while leaving out the part about my exquisite English teacher, and his eyes, and his dimple.  

I’m now in bed and can’t fall asleep to save my life. I can’t stop thinking about Mr. Kingston. I feel like I lost something when I walked away from his classroom today. I have an emptiness in my heart. This is the strangest thing ever. I have never felt this way in my life. I am not boy crazy. This is so unlike me. I did tell Sage about him though. She of course asked for pictures, as if I sat there and took his photo during class. I honestly can’t wait to go to school tomorrow.