“Have you figured anything out yet?” I whispered to Kieran. “I mean about Aiden. It seems so weird that he has all the same classes as me, doesn’t it? And our lockers are together? I don’t know. Maybe I’m being paranoid, but—”
“No. There’s ... he’s hiding something, but I can’t figure it out.”
“He’s been nice so far, at least when Morgan’s not around. Is he the same person you knew before?”
Kieran wasn’t convinced. “I want to know what he’s hiding. I should ask Sidelle—see if she can get a read off him. He doesn’t look the same, so it can’t be him. Hmmm ...”
Ms. Miller got to her feet. “Class, let’s break into groups of three or four and go over the homework assignment. Aiden, you can join any group and just listen for now, since you didn’t have the assignment.”
Kieran and I immediately pushed our desks together while Aiden slid his desk over to Noah’s group, right next to us.
“I’m co-captain of the basketball team with Caden,” Noah informed Aiden. “You probably met him in your history class.”
Aiden nodded. “Yep.”
“So how’s it been going so far? Heard you were from California. You liking it here?”
“Not too bad, I guess.” He turned his head, making sure I was listening. “I have a neighbor who likes to have food tossed at her like a zoo animal, though.”
I wasn’t about to let him talk about me behind my back. “Hey! I do not. You threw candy at me. I had nothing to do with it, and I didn’t eat it.”
“Wait. Zoe? You’re the neighbor?” Noah asked, looking surprised.
“Yeah, he moved in next door to me.”
“That’s cool.”
“Class,” Ms. Miller said. “More math, less socializing, please.”
“What was California like?” Noah turned his attention back to Aiden.
Aiden’s casual smile was dazzling. “Oh, you know. Warm, sunny ... babes wearing bikinis and short shorts, and loads of wild parties.”
“Maybe I should move out there,” Noah said. “Sounds like my kind of place.”
“It was a little piece of heaven.” He watched me a moment, and then he winked at Kieran.
What was that? Okay, now I knew he was trying to send me or Kieran some sort of signal. Why else would he look directly at me when he said the word heaven? Was he trying to gauge my reaction to the word? I looked at Kieran, but his expression didn’t give anything away.
Chapter Fifteen
Zoe
Since we couldn’t talk about anything remotely pressing—like what had happened over the weekend, where we would go from here, or about my powers—Kieran and I spent the rest of the class chatting and not reviewing the homework assignment. Noah and his group seemed enthralled with any story Aiden told about California. He obviously had a man crush on him or else one was forming. But I understood it in a way. What wasn’t there to like about Aiden? He was tall, mysterious, funny, from California of all places, and hot as hell.
Morgan stood outside the classroom, waiting to escort Aiden to his next class. When he walked through the door of our PolySci class, I immediately took my seat, leaving Aiden at the front of the room. I sort of felt bad for him. I could only imagine what it’d be like, being the new kid in school at almost the end of the year.
“So, the new guy?” Quinn leaned over and whispered to me.
“He just moved from California. I watched him and his mom move in.”
“You watched them move? Which house did they buy?”
“My next-door neighbor’s. Remember the snow birds? Their house.”
“Wow, lucky you. You get to wake up next to that.”
“I have a boyfriend, Quinn.”
In that instant, Aiden’s eyes locked onto mine. Then his eyes moved to the desk next to me and focused on Quinn. She was, well, Quinn was adorable. Skinny little Quinn had long blond and brown highlighted hair, a cute little face, and she stood only about five foot three. She wore a size two. We all hated her ... but loved her, really. She ate whatever she wanted and never gained a single pound, and she was always cheery. She kept us laughing.
Right now, she was staring back at Aiden, wearing a googly-eyed expression. This apparent connection would be bad if Morgan found out.
Mr. Bell made his entrance and asked the students to settle down; then he welcomed Aiden and told him to take any seat. “Here,” he said, handing him a book. “You’ll need this.”
Aiden took the seat on Quinn’s other side. “Hi,” he said smoothly. “Name’s Aiden.”
Something stirred in me, and it was a feeling I did not like. Was I jealous? No. I’d much rather see him with one of my friends than with one of the Triangles. What was I feeling then?
When Aiden looked the other way, Quinn turned and mouthed, “Yummy,” at me.
I nodded. What else could I do? Aiden and Quinn stared at each other during the whole long hour, and I tried not to pay attention to them. Eventually, I gave up and doodled in my notebook, grateful when class finally ended. It was actually making me nauseated, looking at them. I was anxious to get to biology and talk with Sidelle.
As I stood to leave, I caught the tail end of a conversation between Quinn and Aiden. “Yeah, okay, sounds fun,” he said.
Then I saw her slip him a piece of paper with her phone number on it, meaning they were making plans to do something together. Just great.
“Bio’s next,” I informed him. “If you care.”
“I don’t, but lead the way.” He glanced back at Quinn, who was looking at him with longing eyes. “Morgan won’t be in the hall,” Aiden told me quietly. “She said she has something to do.”
“Lucky for you,” I muttered.
“Hey, Aiden,” Quinn said. “Save me a seat at lunch.”
He and I walked out of the classroom and into the hallway.
“I see you’re already collecting digits.”
“She gave me her number,” he admitted.
“Don’t tell Morgan. If you’re dating her or whatever, she’ll claw out your eyes, so you can’t even look at another girl. And I don’t even want to think what she might do to Quinn.”
“Oh, I can manage her.”
“Whatever.”
He stopped walking, grabbed my sleeve, and forced me to stop. “Are you mad at me?”
I crossed my arms. Was I? “No. Hard to be mad at someone who doesn’t say but two words. Just don’t lead Quinn on. She’s my friend, and she deserves better than that.”
Even though I’d said I wasn’t angry, I turned and stalked away as if I was. After a few feet I stopped, looked back at him, then motioned for him to hurry up so we could get to class. This whole Aiden thing was making me crazy. By the end of the school day, I was going to be a basket case.
“Oh, my gosh, Zoe, what’s wrong?” Sidelle tugged me to the back of the biology room, then glanced back at Aiden. “Sorry, babe. Gotta steal her for a bit. Girl chat.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked her.
“You. You’re a mess. What’s going on?”
“Is it that obvious?”
“No. Just to me. You look upset. Are you going to cry? Please say no. I can’t stand crying people. I just don’t know how to handle them.” She glanced back at Aiden, who was busy talking to girls from the junior class. Then she put her hands on her hips. “Spill.”
Oh no, I was not going to cry at school. But I had to talk to Sidelle about what I was feeling. Where could I start? How was I going to explain this to her so she would understand? Especially, since I didn’t really understand it myself.
“How can someone who looks like Shay be so nasty and hook up with Morgan?” I quietly blurted out. “Quinn gave him her number, and I flipped out. I’m on an emotional roller coaster and can’t rein in my feelings. I just miss Shay so much. I’m worried about him, and my brain is giving me really bad images.”
Her eyes were all sympathy. “Oh, honey. You have got to pull yourself together. We
’ll find Shay—and he won’t want to kiss someone with snot running down her face.”
My hands went to my cheeks. “I have snot on my face?”
“No, I’m just saying. You have to do better than this.”
“Aiden likes Quinn. You should have seen them last period together. It made me sick just watching them. Is that what Shay and I look like? Sidelle, you have to help me.”
“First of all, forget about Aiden for the time being. You need to have your head on straight for this weekend, Zoe. After that we can tackle your man issue.”
“Why? What’s this weekend?”
“We’re going to try to get into Fairyland. We’ll need extra time off in the regular world since time passes differently there.”
“Extra days off? How’s that going to work?”
She grinned. “I just created them. I suggested to the principal that he should send some of the teachers to a two-day conference in Minneapolis.”
“Is there a conference?”
“No, silly. The teachers are actually staying home since I suggested to them that they needed extra time off. Memos will be sent to the parents today, reminding them of the days off. Of course the letter will be backdated.”
“Oh. Of course.”
We took our seats, and I was happy to see the lights blink off then on, indicating we were going to watch a video during class. Nap time. The teacher motioned for Aiden to come with him to the back of the room while he prepared the video. It was the only empty seat left, and it happened to be next to Sidelle. Not daring to text her openly during class, I quickly tore out a sheet of paper from my notebook, scribbled a message to Sidelle, then handed her the sheet: Mind Walk.
She glanced at the sheet and nodded at me. I smiled, relieved. Now, I could nap. I laid my head on my desk but still watched the video, letting my mind wander. It was a good thing we were not going to have a test on the video. Time passed incredibly quickly after that.
“Mr. Mors? Hold up a second, please,” the teacher called to Aiden as the bell rang, ending class.
Sidelle and I shot out of the room.
“So?” I asked.
“Nothing,” Sidelle grumbled. “I couldn’t get a read on him.”
“That’s strange.”
“Yes, it is. I’m thinking of joining Team Kieran. Something’s off about Aiden. Kieran and I will compare notes.”
We parted ways and promised to see each other at lunch after the next class. On the way Aiden joined me, and we headed to English class together.
“Are you okay now, after your girl time with Sidelle?”
I sighed. “Yes. I’m sorry I flipped out on you. I have no idea what has gotten into me lately. I’m usually not like this, I swear.”
“That’s okay. You’re dealing with a lot. Adding me into the mix only made it worse.” He smiled and eased the tension between us. “I know I’m a lot to handle.”
I couldn’t stay mad at him. Not when he smiled at me or made me laugh. Even though the others couldn’t see it, Aiden reminded me so much of Shay. Even some of their mannerisms were the same.
“If you aren’t okay with Quinn and me hanging out ... ”
“No, no. It’s fine. She’s a great person. You’d be lucky to call her your girlfriend if it works out.”
“Then,” he said, moving his hand between us, “we’re good, you and I?”
“Yeah.”
When we entered English, it became apparent that Aiden’s novelty had started to wear off. Most people had gone back into their little groups, gossiping about whatever. I hoped the rest of the day would be semi-normal, but I couldn’t promise anything about the lunch crowd. Our school was small—the graduating class was only a little over a hundred and twenty students.
“I guess I’m not the shiny object of everyone’s attention anymore,” Aiden said when we entered the next classroom, and no one came up to ask him questions.
“You noticed that, too?”
“It’s fine with me. I hate being the center of attention.”
“What? You’re not serious. And here I thought the world revolved around you.”
He snickered. “Nope. Only some of the time.”
“Figures.”
Mr. Anderson cleared his throat. “Okay, class. Let’s get started on group discussion. Please arrange the desks into a circle.” He glanced at the new student. “Name please?”
“Aiden.”
“Welcome to American English class, Aiden. We’re reading and discussing The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan.”
The rest of the class had made a circle with their desks and were ready for discussion. Most of the students seemed to enjoy this class. Mr. Anderson didn’t make us take tests, just actively participate in discussions.
“Who would like to give their overall comments about the reading? Their likes or dislikes and why?”
As usual, the whole class remained silent. No one wanted to go first and voice their opinion. No one ever volunteered anything around here—not until last week, when Shay had raised his hand to offer up the day’s reading.
Mr. Anderson peered around the room. “How about ... Zoe?”
I took a deep breath. There was no point in refusing. “The whole dynamic of the mother-daughter relationships throughout the book was interesting,” I said. “On the one hand, you have all the first generationers who are used to the old way. Then you have all their kids who want to be like everyone else, meaning more American. Each family has its own back story and ways to deal with what’s happening in their lives. But you can tell they love each other, because ultimately all the daughters are trying to live up to their mothers’ expectations. The mothers, in turn, love their daughters. They have made all kinds of sacrifices so their daughters could have better lives and futures.”
“Wonderful, Zoe. Thank you. Anyone else?”
Aiden cleared his throat. “I found it interesting that the main daughter’s character was telling her story, and she wanted to find her mom’s other kin so they could become a family. The underlying plot was that your family may not be alive, and they may not even be your blood, but the realization of bonds can supersede the past.” He leaned back in his chair and smirked.
“Wow. Very perceptive, Aiden. Thank you.”
Everyone stared at Aiden, including me. He’d apparently read the book. Had he read all the books on our list? If I asked him that, would he tell me truthfully, or would he lie?
Then I thought a little bit more about what he’d said. Had he been speaking directly to me, or had I just been imagining that? Because what if he was telling me I should seek my mom’s kin—my angel mom’s kin?
Chapter Sixteen
Zoe
“I’m starving. Must be lunch next,” Aiden said. “I assume I follow the herd to the lunch room? Or is it open lunch?” He waved his hand in front of my face. “Hello? Earth to Zoe?”
I blinked, trying to concentrate. “We don’t have open lunch. They tried that a few years back, but some of the kids didn’t return to school after, so they shut it down.”
“Too bad. It’s nice to be outside to eat. Gives the body a break.”
“Oh, you can go outside. There are tables out on the patio. Just to warn you, though, Minnesota only has two seasons: winter and summer. It’s either super cold or scorching hot. If you can stand either, by all means go ahead and sit outside.”
He laughed, which I figured meant he didn’t think I was serious. I probably should tell him he should also watch out for the state bird: the mosquito.
“So how does this work?” he asked as we entered the cafeteria. He looked around at all the food areas, ignoring everyone that stared at him.
I pointed. “Over there is the grill, and there’s the sandwich line. That’s the salad bar. Prices are listed unless you have the meal card, which basically means it’s prepaid. You just go up and order and pay at the register.”
“Got it. I can handle that.”
“I sit at that table.” I indicated
the far table near the windows. I knew Kieran and Sidelle wouldn’t approve, but I couldn’t brush off the Minnesota niceness that had been instilled into me for my whole life. “If you want to sit with us, come on over.”
I headed over to make my daily salad, selected my regular diet pop from the cooler, and then I proceeded to the register to pay for my lunch. Aiden stood on the other side of the cashier, pulling out a thick wad of bills.
“I got hers, too,” Aiden said, smiling. “My treat for showing me around today.”
“That’s nice. Thanks.”
Then I headed to my table. I placed my tray next to Sidelle, leaving the spot next to me open for Kieran.
“The seating is all messed up,” I said. “Where’s Jackson?”
“He can’t sit here,” Sidelle said. “Not with the juniors. He’s over in the sophomores’ section. So what’s going on? Are you better?”
“Maybe. Yes. No. I want to know where Shay is.”
Kieran finally arrived from the lunch line, and he sat next to me. We squeezed Rena between Quinn and Sidelle. Kieran placed his tray next to mine then tilted his head, wondering how I was doing.
As soon as Aiden sat with the basketball team at the next table over, the guys around him all started talking at once. The rest of the cafeteria was quiet, all needing to hear Aiden’s story. The boys peppered him with questions about California, so I guessed Noah had spread the word. Aiden was courteous to everyone and answered all the questions, maybe even embellished some of the stories. Everyone listened intently. Quinn was obviously enamored with him. She stared at him the whole lunch period, and I saw him glance over at her every few minutes.
The lunch shift ended with a shrill ring, and all the students shuffled back out into the main hallway and headed off to class. Aiden and I stopped at our lockers to exchange our books, and I dumped my backpack. I only needed one book for chemistry class, and then it was just gym class.
“Everyone’s nice,” Aiden said when I asked how he was doing. “I’ll fit in well.”
Enlighten Series- The Complete 3 Book Collection Page 33