Penitence (2010) by Jennifer - Heavenly 02 Laurens Page B

hallway was strolling my direction. He glided like a dancer, his smile glittering. His dark blonde hair shimmered. If he was a new teacher, I hadnt heard that any hotties had recently come on board Pleasant Grove High Schools faculty. I shot a glance around me, just to make sure his celebrity smile wasnt aimed at somebody else. I was alone. Well, hello there. His milky voice had a familiar cadence and poured into me without hesitation. Um, hi. Not only was his voice familiar, but his blue eyes had a magnetic quality I hadnt seen since Id laid eyes on Matthias. Though his hair was blonde, nearing gray, he didnt look like a senior citizen, and his black suit was totally mod, tapered at his slim hips. His dove gray shirt reflected in the color of his penetrating eyes. Do I know you? Just as beautiful as Matthias said you were. Matthias? My heart fluttered. You know him? He threw back his head and laughed. Yes, he knew Matthias, I recognized the way he laughedjust like Matthias. And Id seen those blue eyes beforein Matthias memory. My heart started to race. I know Matthias very well. Im his father. Albert. Matthias father? Questions jumped for attention in my head. Matthias had said very little about his father. Yet here the man stood. Well, not the man, but the deceased guardian man. I grinned. Wow. Yeah, I saw you the other day in the hall. Yes, that was me. Its so cool to finally meet you. Matthias has told me so much about you. Has he now? Alberts gaze shifted from me out into nothing for a few moments. He seemed to ponder my words. Then his eyes latched on mine again. Hes a sentimental boy, isnt he? Was that sarcasm or tender musing in his tone? I couldnt decipher. Matthias was right. He couldnt find the words to describe your delicate beauty. I warmed from head to toe. Really? Matthias thought I was delicate? Nice. Albert nodded and clasped his hands behind his back. The resemblance between them was in the striking blue eye color and the sharp dramatic angles of their faces. An air of confidence bounced like invisible energy in the air around them both. He must be my new guardian, that makes sense. So Matthias sent you? Im a poor substitute. Youll have to forgive me. He shared Matthias humility. Cool. I searched for the feelings of comfort and serenity I had felt under Matthias protection but couldnt find them. Of course, Albert had to touch me first. Where is he? Can youare you allowed to tell me where he is? Aunt Janis couldnt say much. He tilted his head. I dont know anymore than Aunt Janis, Im afraid. Disappointment tried to needle my heart, but I ignored it. His father was here, and that was a gift. You miss him, I can see that. Ill make sure he knows. Thank you. So, are you my new guardian? The dark suit was kind of cool, definitely more chic than the ethereal pale clothes Matthias wore. He nodded, smiled, the familiarity of his face filling the empty recesses of my longing. If thats all right with you, lovely Zoe. Will you allow me to step in? Something in his question sent a thread of unease through me. Sure. Yeah, most definitely. Why I didnt feel relieved to have another guardian Matthias father nonethelesspuzzled me. In fact, the silence that followed crackled with edginess. A beaten brown LeSabre pulled up the drag where students parked. I peered at the driver and let out a breath of relief. Krissy. She smiled and stopped. You need a ride? she asked through the lowering passenger-side window. I nodded, then looked at Albert whose gray-blue eyes fastened on Krissy in an intensity that surprised me. He probably knows her guardian, understands her back story and stuff. The fact that I hadnt seen Krissys guardian in a while made me feel better. The last time Id seen him, shed been on a mission to hurt herself. I was pleased that she seemed more content. Id look like a whack job talking to Albertto airso I tilted my head in Krissys direction, indicating to him that I couldnt talk anymore. He jerked out a nod of