Okay, I am officially one of those idiot girls. Whatever happened to ‘Hi, welcome to Dove Creek! We’re so happy you’re here. My name is Liora Greyson and I’ll be your friendly guide…’?
“I’m sure I’ll find something to keep me occupied,” he says, the twinkle back in his eyes. I like his eyes. Not just because of their cobalt color, but because they aren’t afraid of mine. “Besides, I like small towns. I’ve lived in big cities my whole life. It’s nice out here. Peaceful…quiet. You can hear yourself think.”
I scrunch my face. Why does he say that like it’s a good thing? I’d do anything not to hear the thoughts that roam through my head. Especially lately, with Her being so psychotically obsessed with suicidal vengeance.
Instead of giving him a reply that will really convince him I’m a complete freak job, I take a deep breath and point to the scene of my earlier crime. “The administration office is over there, under the archway by the flowerbeds. Go down that little path and it’s the first door on your right. Don’t pay any attention to the secretary. She’s a nasty troll with a stick up her butt.”
“Got it, thanks.” He squints as he surveys the unique architecture. “That sure is a strange looking building. It doesn’t even look like a school.”
Oh, I got this one. Only heard the story a million and a half times. “That’s because it used to be a Jesuit Monastery. It’s almost two hundred years old. Believe it or not, those are the original stained-glass windows.” I indicate the rotunda where broken colors catch the sun’s rays. “It was used as a hospital during the civil war, and afterwards they converted it into a school.”
Surprise colors his face. “You mean to tell me you go to a school that used to be a church?” he asks in disbelief.
“I don’t think a monastery is exactly the same thing as a church. Besides, it’s not like it’s a religious school now or anything…”
“Still…”
His reaction is confusing so I shrug again, my default response when I don’t know what to say or do. The history of Dove Creek High is a source of pride for the town-folk; I’ve never seen anyone bothered by it before. And that was my only small-talk ace up my sleeve. Great.
“Is there a place of worship in there? An altar or a prayer room?”
And now he’s freaked. Good going, Liora.
“Um…well, the building with all the stained glass windows used to be a chapel. But now we just use it as the auditorium. No one actually prays there.” Maybe’s he’s some sort of religious nut? Figures. All hot guys have a major flaw somewhere.
He considers this for a moment. “Fascinating,” he finally murmurs. When he catches my quizzical glance he quickly adds, “I just didn’t expect such a small town to have such an interesting landmark is all.”
Shrug number five. “It’s about the only interesting thing about this place. It’s all downhill from here.” Yup. I’m nothing if not consistent.
He turns his attention back to me and gives a small smile. “Somehow, I doubt that,” he says under his breath.
I blink. “Huh?”
“If you don’t mind me asking, why are you ditching?” he continues without missing a beat.
“Um…what makes you think I am?” My gaze darts around the parking lot again. How long have we been standing here? It feels like less than a second and forever at the same time.
“Well, because school is that way,” he says pointing back toward the brick buildings, “but you were headed that way.” He points to the line of trees on the other side of the road, the corners of his eyes crinkling in amusement.
“Oh, right. Yeah, um…I’m not feeling very well. I was just going to go home and get some rest.” I hope the lie doesn’t show in my voice. Tatiana always says I’m a terrible liar. Of course, she’s not exactly the most unbiased source.
He leans against a rusty blue pick-up truck. “Sorry to hear that. I hope you feel better soon. It’d be nice to have at least one familiar person here. It’s not easy being the new guy and not knowing anybody.”
I nod sympathetically while thinking how not at all sorry for him I feel. This is one boy who won’t be lonely for long. Even if the other guys in the class have a hard time accepting this big-city newcomer, the girls will swarm to him like horny bees to a very sexy honey pot. I realize this thought disturbs me.
“I’m sure you’ll do just fine,” I mumble, my mouth suddenly dry.
His eyes lock on mine, and for a split second he sees right through me; his focused attention makes me feel as if I’m standing alone on a stage under a dozen bright spotlights, vulnerable and exposed. I gulp and my heart beats faster.