Then she saw him.
Jack ambled down the hallway, hands in pockets. He wore a black tee shirt with the word ‘Muse’ on it and jeans. His eyes zeroed in on her. Jack looked at her like she was the only person in the hallway. Her heartbeat picked up. One half of his mouth quirked and her palms turned sweaty.
“Hey. I was wondering where you were,” he said, eyes searching her face. They lingered on her cheek and thin lines formed around his lips. Then his gaze lifted to her eyes and asked a silent question.
Lola gave an almost imperceptible nod.
“Lola?” Sebastian was watching them like a hawk, taking in their exchange. “Did you need to talk to me about something?”
She remembered Sebastian then. He stood near her, almost hovering over her protectively. He didn’t look happy. And behind him was Roxanne, silently fuming and promising retribution.
“Uh…no,” Lola said, eyes on Jack.
“Let’s go before we’re late. Some of us don’t especially like detention.” Roxanne tugged on Sebastian’s arm.
Jack gave Roxanne a mocking smile. She pursed her lips, but otherwise pretended he wasn’t there.
Sebastian seemed to shake himself. “Right.” He gave Lola a lingering look. “If you need anything…”
Lola didn’t respond, well aware of how Roxanne would react to her asking Sebastian for help of any kind. Not well. Not well at all.
The hallway was emptying around them. Sebastian and Roxanne left. Or rather, Roxanne dragged Sebastian away with dagger eyes directed at Lola.
Jack’s eyebrows lifted. “So…that was fun.”
“Hardly.”
“You look different today.”
“Oh? Must be the new bruise.” Lola started to walk.
“That’s not it,” he told her. Jack reached for her hand, halting her. “What happened?”
Lola shook her head. “I can’t talk about it now.”
“Okay. But when you want to, I’m here.”
For the first time she noticed how long and thick his eyelashes were; saw the flecks of gold in his green eyes. His lips took on a sensual quality. She was stunned to find she thought him beautiful.
He tilted his head. “What is it?”
Lola closed her parted lips. The final bell sounded. “Nothing. I have to get to class.”
Jack slowly let his fingers caress her arm and hand as he pulled away. “See ya, Goody Two Shoes.” He smiled and Lola’s pulse tripled in tempo.
She hurried to Biology, flushed and giddy and having no idea why.
***
It was the end of the school day. Lola had gotten a warning from the principal about leaving school early the other day and showing up late that day. She was supposed to bring a note from home excusing her absences. Lola had one in her backpack, already forged and ready to go.
Thoughts on what to expect when she arrived home, Lola wasn’t aware of anything until she tripped over something and went sprawling to the hard floor.
Cruel laughter sounded from above her.
Her chin hit the linoleum, jarring her; Lola’s backpack skidded across to the other end of the corridor and was kicked by stampeding feet eager to leave the school. Someone stepped on her hand and a cry of pain left her.
“What the hell, Roxanne!” Sebastian shouted, dropping to his knees beside her. He pulled her up, studying her face. “Are you okay?”
“She tripped. I didn’t do anything,” Roxanne said in a rush, voice high.
Sebastian shot Roxanne a look over his shoulder. Lola watched Roxanne go still, took in the details of her face slowly falling. She looked scared and worried.
He tipped Lola’s chin up and let out a sigh. “Your chin is split and bleeding. Probably needs stitches.” His eyes narrowed. “Did you hit your cheek too?”
Lola swallowed. His touch was warm, gentle, and familiar. She shook her head. Her chin burned and also felt kind of numb, but wasn’t excruciatingly painful.
She put her hand against her chin, surprised to find it wet. She looked at the warm red liquid covering her fingertips and blinked.
“I didn’t do anything, Sebastian!” Roxanne cried again.
Sebastian’s jaw tightened and he turned his head so he could see her. “I saw you. She didn’t trip. You stuck your leg out and made her fall.”
“But—“
“Go home, Roxanne.” Weariness resonated from Sebastian’s voice. “Just go home.” He turned back to Lola. “I’ll drive you to the clinic. My mom’s working today. She’ll fit you in.”
Sebastian helped Lola to her feet. He didn’t look back at Roxanne, not once. A broken sound came from Roxanne. Her conscience gave a twinge and she briefly wondered how she could feel bad for someone so abhorrent to her every chance she got.