Chapter 9: Blue Eyes

RUTHIE AND I DIDN'T have any classes together for the rest of the day. We had already compared our schedules over the weekend. I knew most of the kids in my classes, but they didn't seem to recognize me. The guys looked me over with interest, the girls with curiosity, at least until my name was called for attendance. Then people really looked at me. They stared and whispered. Awkward. My attempt at "normal" didn't seem to be working out this year. With each ensuing class, I shrank deeper and deeper into my seat, hoping to get the day over as fast as possible. I practically ran from my Physics class. I headed out the door and planned to keep walking until I walked through my front door, but something turned me toward the quad, where everyone hung out for lunch. It made me pause enough to rethink my situation.

Dad would probably make me see the shrink if I skipped school today. With a resigned sigh, I changed my mind and decided to stake out the usual place that Ruthie and I liked, near a large maple tree. I was early and the tables were still unoccupied, so I thought I could "lose it" for a second without anyone noticing. I slammed down on the bench and leaned over onto the table.

"Freakin' stupid school!" I muttered loudly.

"Wow," said a low voice. "And the day's only half over."

There was that feeling again, like a warm current of air on a cold day. Now I knew exactly where it was coming from. I sat up straight and glared toward the tree trunk. Sure enough, someone was lounging at its base, backpack next to him. He crunched into an apple. Great. A witness to my latest meltdown. Thank goodness I hadn't started crying. The guy stood up, moving out of the shade and into the noonday light. In two strides, he reached my table and sat down next to me with his body pointing out, elbows on the table behind him.

Okay. As bugged as I was that he had eavesdropped on my misery, there was no stopping the sudden thumping of my heart as I took inventory; I seemed helpless to do anything else at that moment.

Dark chestnut hair and blue eyes, dark blue eyes. His hair was thick and just long enough to curl at the ends, flipping up near the part on the side of his head. His straight nose, only marred by the slightest bump, ended at a masculine point over the most perfect mouth, the type of mouth you see on Greek statues. A wave of familiarity swept over me. Had we met before? Oh man, it was probably last year when I was so out of it.

"Sorry if I scared you." He was starting to look concerned. Not him, too, I thought angrily.

"Oh, yeah. No - no, you ... uh ... just surprised me, that's all," I said, tripping over my words. He reciprocated with a deep chuckle and held out his hand.

"My name is Zander. You?"

I offered my hand automatically. As our palms touched, a warm, humming sensation enveloped my arm. It reminded me how I felt when petting a purring cat. He looked just as surprised as I did. We released our hands quickly.

"Whoa. Must be some kind of static shock or something. Sorry. I'm Tru." He stared at me more intently than before, like he was trying to decide whether or not to reply. Could my day get any weirder? I wondered. Homeschooling was starting to sound good. "Are you new here?"

I was fairly sure I'd never seen him before, but then again, I'd been out of it last year. With his shadowy jaw, he looked older. He had to be a senior. Yes, he shaved, and without any nicks like half the population around here. His neck was corded with muscle, although he didn't look steroid-bulky, more athletic and healthier.

For a long moment he seemed to think over how to respond. Just when I thought he wasn't going to reply at all, he finally did. "Yeah," he said. "I moved here at the end of summer."

"Really? Senior?"

"I wish," he said, one side of his face pulling up in a partial smile. "My parents pulled me out of school last year so much, I have to retake my classes." He leaned closer. "So I'm probably the oldest junior here."

"Actually ..." I started to say, but was interrupted by none other than Ruthie calling out to me.

"Hey, Tru, you got here fast!" She was followed by Isaac and Phoebe. They spread out around the circular table and looked questioningly at Zander.

"Oh, hi guys. Yeah, my, uh, class got out a little early." Like I was going to tell them I ran out of class to cry like a baby. I shot Zander a surreptitious glance, hoping he wouldn't mention my little table tantrum. He raised an eyebrow at me, but said nothing.

I gestured toward him. "This is Zander. He's new this year."

Zander gave Phoebe and Isaac that assessing look he had given me. Isaac's face clouded over, like he disliked him on sight. Phoebe tilted her head and gave him a flirty half-smile. So obvious, I thought. But I couldn't blame her. And I wouldn't blame him for falling for it - she was just as beautiful as he was.

"Cool! We need some fresh blood here at our table," said Ruthie, drinking in every inch of him. I could almost read her mind. She was in heaven. Two gorgeous guys at our lunch table. We'd really stepped up in the world. Ruthie was going to have to swat away the girls who would soon be flocking our way.

Here we go, I thought as a giggling squad of hopefuls sashayed past our table, their eyes trying to catch those of both Isaac and Zander. But they didn't seem to notice as stared at each other, squaring off like opponents. I lifted an eyebrow Ruthie's way, but she shrugged, just as confused as me. I turned back to the flock of girls and was surprised to see two old friends from my old basketball team. They totally ignored me. I had to admit it hurt a little, but reminded myself that I probably deserved it after last year. Seeing that the boys weren't paying attention, the girls scooted away one by one. As the last girl trailed away, Isaac and Zander gave each other one of those guy nods, communicating something that I'd never understand.

Then, Isaac turned his big brown eyes on me. "So how are your classes so far? Did you get Mrs. Tisdale for English?"

Having his total focus on me made me feel conspicuous. He ignored everyone else, and there was just so much of him. It reminded me of earlier when he sang to me, and remembering my reaction made my cheeks heat up again, especially since Zander was watching with a slight scowl on his face. Why did this feel so weird? Any girl would be into Isaac, right? Why did I feel guilty suddenly?

I decided to ignore his first question - I had nothing good to say about my classes so far, and I didn't want to complain, yet. I would unload it all on Ruthie later.

"No, I've got Mr. Mac." That's what we called him; his last name was actually Macintosh. He was Scottish, with the cool accent and everything. I loved to hear him read out loud. And he happened to be pretty good-looking, for a teacher. Girls were known to stare at him throughout the entire class, especially when he read Shakespeare. He gave off a young Ewan McGregor vibe. Sometimes, he got pretty frustrated because he had to repeat himself all the time. Personally, I thought it was entertaining.

"No kidding," Zander piped in. "I've got him too, seventh period."

I decided that he was a nice guy. Most guys would have run the other way from a girl on the verge of a breakdown.

"Oh, cool," I said, smiling. Perhaps if he never found out how weird I was last year, he'd actually keep talking to me.

Isaac scooted closer, tipping the table as he adjusted his weight, causing Ruthie to squeal. "Let me see your schedule, Tru. Maybe we have something together, too."

Zander frowned, looking from me to Isaac, before abruptly standing. "Gotta run. I'm supposed to meet with my counselor about some paperwork. I'll see you in English, Tru." His eyes connected with mine and my heart fluttered.

"Sure. See you then," I said. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but seemed to change his mind and headed back to the tree to grab his backpack. He hesitated there, turning back to us, like he was rethinking his actions. But with a tightening of his jaw, he twisted away and loped off across the pod. I felt a strange desire to follow him. My heart squeezed and I had to make myself breathe slowly. I was so messed up!

All three of us girls watched him, enjoying the view.

"Nice..." drawled Phoebe. My heart tightened uncomfortably. Then I saw Phoebe glance quickly over at Isaac, who was scowling. She rolled her eyes.

"Okay, let's all get our schedules out and compare," suggested Phoebe.

As it turned out, I had a class with each of them. First period with Ruthie for Algebra II, fifth period with Isaac for drama, and sixth period with Phoebe for PE. Originally, I had been peeved to be stuck in drama, which was way out of my comfort zone, but knowing Isaac would be there with me took away some of the sting. At least I'd know someone who would talk to me in all of my afternoon classes. And maybe I could figure out what bothered me about him. Ruthie and Isaac had two classes together already, but only World Civilization with Phoebe.

By the time lunch was over, several guys had stopped by to chat with Phoebe, and just as many girls had hit on Isaac. I wasn't surprised, but it was only the first day of school. This would get old really fast. Ruthie also caught up with some old acquaintances. Fortunately, Isaac kept me from feeling like a total pariah. I couldn't help but give him points for that.

Ruthie and I were dumping our trash when Val Johnson, Ruthie's first ever boyfriend back in middle school, stopped by to ask her about her classes. Despite my personal prediction that he would turn into a class nerd (which I'd told Ruthie to console her after they broke up in eighth grade), he'd become a school jock, and turned out pretty smokin' hot himself. Unfortunately, it came with the typical jock personality. Ruthie didn't seem to mind, though. She gave me the "I'll catch up with you later" look. I waved goodbye and took off to my locker to get my stuff for drama.

"Hey, wait for me!" called Isaac.

I'd already forgotten we had the next class together. To be honest, I was wondering about Zander and his deep blue eyes. Isaac was being really nice to me, and there I was zoning off about another boy.

"Sorry. I have to stop by my locker first."

"No worries. I'll walk with you!"

"Thanks," I said, smiling up at him. How shallow was I to feel this awesome about walking to class with a guy who looked like a beach model?