I’m not normal, but I know part of my mom isn’t ready for me to leave home yet. I am still her baby on some level. She always wanted a big family, and with the way things are going, that might be happening rather soon. Making my way back down the hall, I head to room 213. I’m only enrolled in two classes this semester, and neither of them are credits I need or care about. Opening the door to study hall, I stop when I see six sets of eyes turn and look at me.
A blush hits my cheeks when their gazes linger over me, and I see Croy among the students. He gives me a cocky chin lift. It takes everything in me not to roll my eyes. I can’t believe he was telling people he gave me that hickey. I’ve only been back at school a week, and it seems things have changed. If I walked into this room last year, none of them would’ve turned to look my way. Now six of the school’s football players are staring at me like I’m the ‘precious’ from The Lord of The Rings.
“Megan?”
My heartbeat accelerates when I hear my name. I know that voice all too well. I look over to see Chris sitting at the front of the classroom, but my eyes shoot over to Miss Heart, who’s sitting on the corner of his desk. She’s smiling at my Chris, being extra flirty, and it makes me clench my teeth.
“Sorry, Coach Burns, the library...” My words trail off when I realize everyone is still staring at me. It’s not something I’m used to or really care for. I prefer to blend in with the crowd and keep to myself. Even more so in high school.
“Why don’t you come to the front of the room and have a seat?” He says it without having to hear the end of my sentence. He glances over to the back of the room where Croy and some of his teammates are sitting, and then back to me. His eyes are hard, and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to get his silent message: Don’t fucking sit by them.
I debate it for half a second before I change my mind. Though I love when I get Chris worked up and crazy, and Croy seems to be his hot button, I opt not to. Tonight’s the first game of the season, and he doesn’t need me adding to his stress. No matter how much I want to go over there in protest of Miss Heart sitting on his desk, I refrain. Isn’t there a freaking thirty-year-old history book she should be updating or something?
Making my way to the front of the classroom, I sit in the chair directly in front of them, dropping my bag on the floor next to me. Now I’ll be able to hear everything they say. Miss Heart shoots me an annoyed look, like she notices this as well, but she quickly covers it up. She leans down close to Chris, and it’s then I realize my mistake. Now she’ll just have to lean in close to him to whisper.
I can’t do anything but stare at her. The famous Miss Heart. And by ‘famous’, I mean all the boys have talked about her since I can remember. She teaches ninth grade history and runs the cheerleading squad for the varsity football team. Today is game day, so the cheerleaders wear their uniforms, the players all sport their jerseys, and all the teachers and students dress in ‘spirit’ gear, something I’ve never participated in. I’ve never even gone to one of the games. Living in Texas, people worship high school football; something I still don’t understand.
Like everyone else Miss Heart is all dressed up for game day. She has her dark hair in a high ponytail with blue and white ribbons. Her jeans fit her almost like a second skin, and I wonder how she breathes in them. Her school shirt has a deep V down in the front, and the further she leans down towards Chris, the more her boobs show.
I look over at him and see his eyes are locked on me, not paying any attention to Miss Heart.
“Chris,” she says louder, making him look back at her. I bite the inside of my mouth.
“We could really use your help on Saturday. Afterwards everyone is going out, and you’re more than welcome to join us. You can meet the rest of the staff. I’m sure we’ll be celebrating your win.”
“I don’t think I can, Kim. I’m moving this weekend.” His voice is dismissive, and it warms my belly. Normally, girls like her get all the guys, but for some reason Chris wants me. It’s attention I’ve never gotten from the opposite sex before. Well, not until recently. But to be honest, I hadn't wanted it until him. Chris is different. I knew it from the moment I ran right into him. My mom always told me when I found the one, I’d know it, and she was right. Seeing him and feeling him for the first time, it was like my body came alive. And like most things I’ve wanted in life, I just went for it. When I decide on something, it’s final and there’s no holding me back. That’s what I’ve been doing with Chris, but sometimes I think I bit off more than I can chew. I know this could end badly, and that maybe our timing is wrong, but I also know that it would take something like this, something hard and fast and consuming, to change me.