“Corinne, stop. His uncle works at the mines. He just came out here to live with him. Ya’ll are going bananas over nothing, and I’m sort of embarrassed to be your friend right now,” I say, only half-joking.
“Ugh, look at Druslutta acting like she already owns him. I mean, three nights ago she was making out with Cade Johnston at the Curley Q…wait, what? How do you know that? Are you holding out on me?” She grabs my arm.
“Ow, that’s attached, you know.”
I feel Kieron’s eyes on me as we pass by, but will myself not to look. The last thing I’m going to do is join his swarm of admirers like some pathetic groupie.
“...Oh, Manhattan is marvelous, all those museums and plays and fabulous restaurants,” Drusilla coos as we walk past. “I’d love for you to tell me all about your favorite places…”
Corinne snorts. “Oh, give me a break,” she grumbles bitterly. “She went to New York once when we were in eighth grade for an uncle’s funeral or something. Now suddenly she’s all big-citified and cultured?”
As I reach for the metal handle, Mr. Sodenberg meets my gaze through the window of the door. His eyes give a warning. Mine roll back in my head. He says nothing, so I can only assume what Lucky said to poor Mr. Winters yesterday somehow got relayed back to him. Corrine, with her poor eyesight, sits in the front. I take my usual seat in the back, plopping my bag on the empty chair beside me.
I silently recite my earlier vows to myself. I must forget about Kieron. Right now, my number one priority is getting through the day without Her showing up. That means absolutely no zoning out. I have to stay alert, focused. Tatiana had told me over breakfast that she’d spoken with Lucky, but I wasn’t satisfied that she wouldn’t just pop in again if it suited her purposes. So I’d taken the extra precaution of wearing a crucifix necklace; hopefully this will discourage her or ensure her quick departure if she does decide to make a cameo.
I open Inferno and practice translating the words into French, a language I’m teaching myself. It’s the only way it will hold my attention.
When a body brushes past me, I look up and am surprised to see Kieron smiling down at me. “Hi, again,” he says softly.
“Hi.” My heart pounds wildly, and I quickly return my gaze to Canto XXIV. But the words become a blur as Kieron continues to hover.
“Do you mind if I sit here?” he asks.
I shrug noncommittally, still staring at my book like it holds the answer to the meaning of life. “Suit yourself.”
He chuckles. “Is this your bag?”
“Right, sorry.” I lean over to snatch it up and place it on the other side of me. Kieron gracefully maneuvers into the seat and smiles.
“Doing better today?”
“Yes.” And I’m re-reading the same sentence for the fifth time. My gaze lifts slightly to see several students turned around in their seats, gawking at us.
“I’m happy to hear that. Sorry to interrupt you…is that a good book? I’ve never read it.”
“It’s fascinating,” I respond dryly.
“Maybe you wouldn’t mind filling me in, help me get up to speed—” The rest of his question is cut off as Mr. Sodenberg calls the class to order.
If someone had offered me ten million dollars to recall even one sentence Mr. Sodenberg uttered during his entire lecture, I couldn’t do it. Even though I’m trying with all my might to concentrate on what the teacher is saying, it’s impossible with Kieron sitting less than two feet away. Fifty minutes passes in a blur, and before I know it the bell is ringing.
“What’s your next class?” Kieron asks as we both stand up.
“History with Jackson.”
“What a happy coincidence. So’s mine. We can walk there together.” It’s more of a command than a request. He’s so close behind me I can smell the musky scent of his aftershave. We make our way to the door and I notice several girls, including Corrine, watching us like blood-thirsty hawks. I give her what I hope is a reassuring smile but I can tell she’s not buying it. Even though her next class is in the opposite direction, she falls into step beside Kieron.
“Kieron, have you met my friend Corrine Olsen?” I ask, hoping to diffuse any awkwardness. She stares at him in awe and I groan inwardly. I’m trying not to be embarrassed for her, but she’s just acting so swoony. I’ve never seen her like this before.
But if Kieron notices anything odd about her behavior, he makes no indication of it. “Yes, I believe we quite literally ran into each other the other day, but weren’t properly introduced. Hello, Corrine, my name is Kieron Ambrose. How do you do?”