need.
“What are you thinking about Alexia?”
As the foot traffic around us becomes heavier, I push away the questions that must wait for later. Instead, I confess, “I think about you sometimes, too.”
*
“So do we have a winner?” Becke’s asking about our movie outing on Saturday, only this time I’m paying more attention because I’m staying. I can count on one hand the previous times I’ve been to a movie theatre and still have a couple of fingers left over.
Nervously, I glance at Gabriel who slides me a couple of Oreos and surreptitiously squeezes my hand before answering. “Why don’t you surprise us, Becke? You and Jonah pick the movie and Alex and I will figure out the restaurant.” Then he winks at me. “It’ll be even more fun that way.”
Jonah nods. His inky hair falls around his shoulders causing him to sweep it back as the scent of his shampoo reaches us. Something clean and spicy, subtly hinting at masculinity. Since our unlikely little group has formed, Jonah’s been taking more care with his appearance. I note his crisp dark blue t-shirt depicting the evolutionary chain from monkey to robot and realize when he’s not succumbing to his volatile, dark side he has an obscure and pleasing sense of humor.
Becke’s sharp eyes follow my gaze. “I like your shirt, Jonah.” She smiles broadly, causing him to swallow twice before managing, “ Uh, thanks .” He fixes his eyes on the scarred lunch table as color rises against his pale cheeks.
In unison we begin to gather up the remnants of our lunch, but before we’re able to stand Jonah’s head whips around to smile nervously at Becke. “Maybe I could call you tonight and we could talk—I mean, decide on the movie for Saturday?”
All around us lunch time is breaking up in animated bursts of movement and chatter, but our table’s frozen with suspense. I try not to stare, not wanting to intrude on their personal moment. In my peripheral vision, I see Gabriel, smiling to himself while he studies our Oreo wrappers.
“Okay,” Becke pulls a pen from her backpack; her gossamer lemon halo sparkles like sunshine on a deep, clear lake. With quiet assurance, she meets Jonah’s astonished stare. “Now,” she demands lightly, “Give me your hand.”
Hesitantly, he offers her his left hand. As Becke takes it in both of hers, there’s no doubt about the chemistry between them. She continues to hold his hand while she writes her number then confirms he can read her writing. When she lets go, Jonah cradles his hand to his chest as if it contains precious treasure.
“So, I’ll call you.” He has no discernable halo, and that’s very good. Becke’s halo twinkles in response as she says “Okay.” I’m happy for them.
The warning bell causes us to leap to our feet and scramble though the mostly empty cafeteria toward English. For once, the ever present dread at the prospect of facing Mr. Creepy has little hold over me. It’s not that I no longer fear the dark, but instead I possess something greater than my fear. My own guardian Seraph, Gabriel.
By the time school’s out, the temperature has dropped. Although sunny, a brisk fall wind whips with violence, chilling me in unexpected places as it heralds the onset of winter. Walking into the icy gusts, I shrink against Gabriel’s warmth. Unexpectedly he wraps his arms around my hunched shoulders, pulling me even closer to him.
“So where do you want to go to eat Saturday?” he asks. Nearer than usual, his heated breath tickles my neck as we walk.
His question reminds me Kate and Steven expect him for Sunday dinner. Taking advantage of a corner building that acts as a buffer from the wintery drafts, I step against the brick wall to gaze up at Gabriel. “Um, I totally forgot. The Fosters want you to come for dinner Sunday. I would’ve told you sooner but we were fighting and, well…” Running out of explanation, I give a helpless shrug.
Gabriel frowns, causing me to instantly
“What are you thinking about Alexia?”
As the foot traffic around us becomes heavier, I push away the questions that must wait for later. Instead, I confess, “I think about you sometimes, too.”
*
“So do we have a winner?” Becke’s asking about our movie outing on Saturday, only this time I’m paying more attention because I’m staying. I can count on one hand the previous times I’ve been to a movie theatre and still have a couple of fingers left over.
Nervously, I glance at Gabriel who slides me a couple of Oreos and surreptitiously squeezes my hand before answering. “Why don’t you surprise us, Becke? You and Jonah pick the movie and Alex and I will figure out the restaurant.” Then he winks at me. “It’ll be even more fun that way.”
Jonah nods. His inky hair falls around his shoulders causing him to sweep it back as the scent of his shampoo reaches us. Something clean and spicy, subtly hinting at masculinity. Since our unlikely little group has formed, Jonah’s been taking more care with his appearance. I note his crisp dark blue t-shirt depicting the evolutionary chain from monkey to robot and realize when he’s not succumbing to his volatile, dark side he has an obscure and pleasing sense of humor.
Becke’s sharp eyes follow my gaze. “I like your shirt, Jonah.” She smiles broadly, causing him to swallow twice before managing, “ Uh, thanks .” He fixes his eyes on the scarred lunch table as color rises against his pale cheeks.
In unison we begin to gather up the remnants of our lunch, but before we’re able to stand Jonah’s head whips around to smile nervously at Becke. “Maybe I could call you tonight and we could talk—I mean, decide on the movie for Saturday?”
All around us lunch time is breaking up in animated bursts of movement and chatter, but our table’s frozen with suspense. I try not to stare, not wanting to intrude on their personal moment. In my peripheral vision, I see Gabriel, smiling to himself while he studies our Oreo wrappers.
“Okay,” Becke pulls a pen from her backpack; her gossamer lemon halo sparkles like sunshine on a deep, clear lake. With quiet assurance, she meets Jonah’s astonished stare. “Now,” she demands lightly, “Give me your hand.”
Hesitantly, he offers her his left hand. As Becke takes it in both of hers, there’s no doubt about the chemistry between them. She continues to hold his hand while she writes her number then confirms he can read her writing. When she lets go, Jonah cradles his hand to his chest as if it contains precious treasure.
“So, I’ll call you.” He has no discernable halo, and that’s very good. Becke’s halo twinkles in response as she says “Okay.” I’m happy for them.
The warning bell causes us to leap to our feet and scramble though the mostly empty cafeteria toward English. For once, the ever present dread at the prospect of facing Mr. Creepy has little hold over me. It’s not that I no longer fear the dark, but instead I possess something greater than my fear. My own guardian Seraph, Gabriel.
By the time school’s out, the temperature has dropped. Although sunny, a brisk fall wind whips with violence, chilling me in unexpected places as it heralds the onset of winter. Walking into the icy gusts, I shrink against Gabriel’s warmth. Unexpectedly he wraps his arms around my hunched shoulders, pulling me even closer to him.
“So where do you want to go to eat Saturday?” he asks. Nearer than usual, his heated breath tickles my neck as we walk.
His question reminds me Kate and Steven expect him for Sunday dinner. Taking advantage of a corner building that acts as a buffer from the wintery drafts, I step against the brick wall to gaze up at Gabriel. “Um, I totally forgot. The Fosters want you to come for dinner Sunday. I would’ve told you sooner but we were fighting and, well…” Running out of explanation, I give a helpless shrug.
Gabriel frowns, causing me to instantly
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