“So those numbers are my locker combination then?” Hannah changed the subject, watching as he spun the set of numbers –at the top of her schedule- into the silver padlock on her assigned locker.
“Yup,” don’t lose it. “It’s a pain in the butt to have the office look it up for you.”
“I thought you were a freshman,” Hannah pointed out, shoving the books in her arms into the locker as he opened it for her.
“I am, but the middle school is attached, we share the same office. So I’ve technically already been here for three years,” he winked at her, pointing to her schedule and then back down the hall. “I’ve really got to run, you think you can find the next class on your own?” he asked, already rattling off directions before she could answer.
Hannah wanted to beg him to stay by her side, but she only nodded and gave him another smile as he slipped off, the hairs on the back of her neck rising as she took a look around the nearly full hallway. No one was paying her any attention or giving direct eye contact as they passed, but the uneasy feeling she suddenly had was unmistakable. Looking around once more, she shook her head at the silly thought, squaring her shoulders as she slammed her locker door closed. She’d never depended on anyone back at her old high school, and Charlie was only her guide for the day. She didn’t expect him to stick around any longer than he had too. It was stupid of her to even want him too.
Hannah started in the direction that Charlie had pointed in, almost immediately stopping in her tracks when she spotted the football player she’d seen in the office earlier. There was a whole group of them now; their matching jersey’s a draw to the blue and gold semi-circle they’d formed around a stocky looking guy backed against a locker.
Dark sable colored eyes locked with Hannah’s and she immediately tensed, a shiver running down her spine as she looked quickly over and away from the guy’s face. He was paying the jocks no mind, his shoulders locked, fist curled and face tight as he blatantly stared at her. She could feel his eyes on her face, his mouth drawn into a tight line when she chanced a second glance.
“Whatcha looking at Bear?” one of the jocks taunted, shoving the guy in his chest so that his back hit the locker behind him with a thud.
The group all turned to look in Hannah’s direction and her cheeks heated when they caught her staring, her feet refusing to move her in the opposite direction.
“Oh she’s cu..!”
Hannah’s hand flew over her mouth to cover the tiny cry that tried to escape as the guy who’d just been trapped shoved the two boys in front of him harder than she would have thought possible. They stumbled backwards, both of them slamming into the bank of lockers on the other side of the hall just as the warning bell rung.
“Someone’s been eating their Wheaties!” one of the jocks joked with hands raised as the guy they’d called ‘Bear’ stepped free of their circle.
“Just wondering when you’re coming back to the team! Don’t take it personal!”
Hannah glanced over her shoulder as those same sable eyes found her again, her face flushing when she realized that the hall had almost cleared. The second warning bell sounded, and she spun on her heels, just as his mouth opened to speak, her long legs carrying her towards her next class as fast they could go without her breaking into a run.
“Dork!” she chided herself through gritted teeth as she found the right classroom and slipped inside just as the final bell rung.
He’d probably just wanted to speak; she had been staring after all. He’d certainly held his own against the jocks that had surrounded him, but there was no reason that he couldn’t. She could see why they’d called him bear, and why they’d probably want him on the football team. He was more than a head taller than any of the other guys that had been in uniform, thick broad shoulders and an even broader chest making him look way older than any of the students here. His shoulder length brown hair was straight and full, almost hiding the thick dark brows he’d lifted when he’d first spotted her. If she didn’t know any better, it had almost looked as if he had been surprised to see her, but that was impossible. She’d never seen him before in her life.
He was cute; she had to give him that, not that she’d ever express it to anyone. At almost eighteen years old she’d never even been on a date; boys didn’t seem to notice her, and she hadn’t given them much thought at her old school. Cross country took up too much of her time. But that wouldn’t stop her from saying ‘Hi’, the next time they bumped into each other. For whatever reason, she didn’t want him to think she was a complete loser. Maybe they’d even become friends.
Chapter 9:
Jake slammed his fist into the brick of building once again, a low growl in his chest as he heard the bell ring signaling the end of second period. He’d known that Chase and the rest of the team would track him down at some point; they did every year. It had been stupid to play for the high school football team his ninth grade year. Back then he’d still had hopes of fitting in, and he had for a while. His last name –Bear- had become his nickname on the field, his massive size, crushing any other player that tried to come up against him. For once, the Timber Wolves were winners, and they had Jake to thank for it, but it was only for a season. Jake’s father hadn’t approved of him wearing the wolf logo on his chest, and had forbidden him to play ever again.
Since his sophomore year, Jake had dealt with his former teammates bullying, a traitor in their eyes because of his refusal to come back. He hadn’t given them a reason, and so he understood their anger towards him, but today he just hadn’t been in the mood. She’d come out of nowhere, the familiar scent of oranges and vanilla filling his nostrils as he’d stood backed against a locker with everyone watching.
He’d known she would be in school, and had searched every head in the hallway for the golden blonde he knew only she had, but he hadn’t seen her. She recognized him; he could tell in the way her green eyes widened when he met her gaze. He’d sensed her hesitation; saw the way her body tensed when he looked at her. She hadn’t been afraid, but his staring had embarrassed her, heat flooding her cheeks to a deep shade of red when he’d approached.
“Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!” Jake gritted out through clenched teeth, kicking the wall one last time before exhaling on a heavy breath.
He’d skipped second period so that he could try and calm down, but the forty five minutes he’d spent putting chinks in the side brick wall of the school had only frustrated him more. He didn’t know what it was about the girl that tightened his chest and made his heart race; she was human. He’d never even paid any of the girls at the school any mind, their mindless chatter and high pitched giggling a constant annoyance to be around at any given time. Hannah didn’t even know that he knew her name, and she probably already thought he was an idiot.
If she hasn’t already put two and two together and figured out that I’m a bear… Jake winced at the thought, blocking it so that his father couldn’t find it later.
Rone had been livid when he’d finally made it up to the base of the mountain, expecting to find Hannah dead along with Jake. Seeing what remained of the wolf and finding Jake wounded, but otherwise unharmed had eased his temper, but not by much. It had taken a full reveal of all of Jake’s memories of Hannah before Rone was convinced that Jake hadn’t been the one to put the girl in danger.
He’d only wanted to speak to her, tell her his name and finally hear her voice after weeks of wondering what it sounded like. But she’d run from him the second he’d gotten close, her eyes wide with surprise just as they’d been up at the base of the mountain. He didn’t want to go back into the school and risk running into her again, but he had no choice; they’d probably already called his father, at the mine, to report his second period absence. If he missed third period too, there was no telling what kind of punishment he’d have to endure. He had to go back.
**********
Jake slipped into Mr. Goodall’s government class just as the final bell rung out in the hall. Head down
he started towards the back of the room, only to find that all the seats were already taken. All eyes were on him now as the teacher cleared his throat impatiently, nodding towards the only available seat beside the only student who wasn’t gawking in his direction. The scent of oranges and vanilla suddenly rose above all the other smells in the classroom, tensing Jake’s muscles, his nose guiding his gaze to the back of Hannah’s head. His eyes followed her long graceful fingers down the golden strands she was idly playing with, his teeth gritted as he forced his feet to move him between the two top tables lined from front to back. She didn’t even look up when he reached the empty chair, staring down at her for a moment before sliding into it.
For the last two weeks Jake had secretly watched her from afar, admiring the way she moved smoothly across the vine ridden forest floor with ease. He’d had dreams of seeing that long golden ponytail up close, looking into her eyes instead of at her profile, but now that he was mere inches away, his throat seized, his palms sweaty as he gripped his thighs to keep from bolting. She triggered something in him that he couldn’t put his finger on, but it was almost like the same feeling he had when he was chasing down one of Creed’s pack. Hunger…
Mr. Goodhall was already twenty minutes into his introduction to twelfth grade government when Hannah finally found the nerve to glance sideways at the guy she’d heard referred to as ‘Bear’. Even seated, she had to look up to see his face and was immediately caught in those deep brown pools that had fixed her to her spot in the hallway earlier. He stared down at her, his mouth a hard line when she offered a weak smile, crimson once again coloring her cheeks and igniting that feeling that Jake couldn’t quite describe.
His gaze slipped down to the sun kissed sliver of exposed neck her shirt offered, confusion racing through him as he listened for her pulse, unsure if the racing beat filling his ears was his own or hers. He suddenly had the urge to grab her, feel her closer than she already was, his own skin on fire now as he met her stare once again.
“Hannah Adler…” she whispered softly, and Jake winced when she shifted in her seat, leaning closer to him.
Her hair spilled over her right shoulder in a wave of gold, framing her profile like he’d never seen before. Every nerve ending in his body suddenly ached and he once again held his breath as her scent filled him, clouding his thoughts. She was looking at him expectantly, waiting on him to introduce himself, but he couldn’t speak for fear of releasing the possessive growl that had developed deep in his chest. There was something different about this girl, and then there it was: A whisper so low in his head that he almost missed it among his jumbled thoughts.
Do I stink…?
He jerked away from her in surprise, his fingers clamped so tightly on his thighs now that he was sure that his toes were going to go numb. It was impossible; he was sure of it. He’d never been able to hear anyone else’s thoughts except his parents and Creed’s pack. They were all council born, and that was the way that it had always been, but a human…
Jake’s mouth fell open to ask a question that sounded ludicrous even in his own head, but was stopped by a flying ball of paper that glanced off his shoulder and landed in the middle of the table they were sharing. Hannah reached for it just as he did, and Jake did growl this time, the tips of her fingers brushing his knuckles for less than a split second before jerking back in surprise. Electricity sizzled up the hairs of his arm, his fist clenching around the wad of paper as he chanced a look at her. Her brows were knitted together, slightly raised, wide green eyes the color of summer’s moss staring up at him in question. He couldn’t tell if she’d felt the same thing he had, but he searched his thoughts frantically for the sound of her voice, disappointed that it wasn’t there. But he’d heard…
Frustrated he shook the confusing notion from his head, uncrumpling the ball he still had in his closed fist. He heard Hannah’s sharp intake of breath before he’d finished reading the mocking words scrawled across the tiny blue lines, and it was his turn to blush.
Hey Bear why don’t you kiss her already! FREAK
He didn’t think things could get any more awkward with Hannah, but they suddenly were, obnoxious snickers coming from the members of the football team he knew were behind them. Anger surged through Jake in waves, his fingers trembling as he crushed the paper into a ball once again and flicked it on the floor. This was the first time since he was just a child that he had to worry about shifting out of emotion. He’d always been able to control it, but now it seemed that it would happen at any second without any warning.
“Just ignore them,” Hannah finally whispered, glancing over her shoulder before looking back up at him again.
“Thanks Goldilocks,” Jake snapped before he could stop the words, hating the way she recoiled in her chair, hurt tingeing her features for a moment.
He heard rather than saw her swallow hard, her eyes now fixed up front where they should have been all along. He hadn’t even meant to say that name. It was a nickname he’d made up for her during his weeks of watching her run in the woods. It was more of an endearment, and his tone had just turned it into something ugly. He was just about to apologize when she spoke again.
“Why do they call you Bear?” she asked, her head snapping back to the front just as Mr. Goodall stopped his lesson to look at the two of them.
There were more snickers in the back and they were suddenly out of his watchful gaze, his warning of detention meant for the two football players who’d written the note. The class was immediately silent again, Mr. Goodall resuming the lesson without giving Hannah and Jake’s table another look.
“You don’t want to know,” Jake managed through gritted teeth, his eyes on the second hand of the clock as it made its final tick signaling the end of class.
He bolted the second the bell rang, shoving past the two guys who had once been his teammates, almost knocking them to the floor as he went. This day couldn’t get any worse.
Chapter 10:
Charlie had shown up as promised when Hannah exited her government class, but she barely listened to the boy’s chatter as he lead her through the twisting halls to the computer lab. She hadn’t had a chance to try and stop ‘Bear’ before he’d bolted, leaving her to wonder if she really did stink. He hadn’t even told her his real name when she’d introduced herself, and she was almost certain he’d growled at her when she tried to grab the note before him.
With a monitor hiding her face for most of her next class, Hannah remained lost in thought wondering what she’d said to scare him off. He’d look at her like he hated her, and he definitely wasn’t pleased that he’d been forced to sit beside her. So much for making any friends here…
Lunch came faster than she wanted, and Charlie wasn’t around to guide her to the cafeteria. She found it on her own, following the throng of juniors and seniors that were assigned to eat lunch together. Back at her old high school she’d always sat with her cross country teammates, not really a part of their gossiping chatter, but at least she hadn’t been alone. A quick look around this cafeteria left her stomach sinking as she joined one of the five lines, pushing her tray in front of her. Every table seemed to be already full or reserved with discarded backpacks claiming empty seats. Hannah nodded absently to every other thing that was offered to her by the cafeteria ladies, heaving when she finally looked down at her tray and noticed the lump of discolored meatloaf sitting in the middle of a mound of mashed potatoes.
Searching for the nearest trashcan, she spotted a table with only one person seated at it, her heart quickening when she realized that it was ‘Bear’. He had his head down, pushing around the food on his own tray, seemingly oblivious to the hundreds of conversations going on around him. Squaring her shoulders, Hannah swallowed her pride and started in that direction, not caring if he wanted company or not. She wanted to know why he’d acted the way he had in Government class.
“Don’t want to do that unless you’re planning on committing social suicide on the first day of schoo
l,” a tinkling voice stopped Hannah, as did a hand on her forearm, turning her attention to the two girls that had come up behind her.
“I’m Lindsey,” the redhead introduced herself first, jerking her thumb towards the leggy brunette beside her. “And this is Beth. Cross Country state champions two years running,” Lindsey smiled, nodding her head towards a half full table over by the window. “Coach said that you’d be trying out this year.”
“Showed us your picture and everything,” Beth chimed in with a wide smile of her own. “Come meet the rest of the team,” she offered, already leading Hannah in the opposite direction she’d been heading in.
Hannah glanced over her shoulder, back at ‘Bear’, just in time to see him shifting his gaze from her back to his untouched tray. She couldn’t be sure if he’d heard what Lindsey had said, but she was sure that the stony look on his face was meant for her.
“Don’t pay him any mind,” Lindsey rolled her eyes as she slid her tray to an empty spot at the table they stopped at. “He treats everyone like that.”
“What’s his name?” Hannah asked immediately, her curiosity suddenly piqued.
“Jake,” Beth rolled her eyes too, settling on the opposite side of the table so that she was facing Lindsey.
“Jake Bear,” Lindsey supplied, stabbing into her salad before looking at Hannah.
“So that’s why they call him ‘Bear’? Because it’s his last name?” Hannah shook her head in confusion, forcing herself not to twist in her seat and see if he was still watching.
“Well he used to be really really hairy!” Lindsey giggled, her hand slapping over her mouth to keep lettuce from flying free.
“He started shaving when everyone started teasing him,” Beth giggled too, her short brown ponytail bobbing as she leaned over the table. “Back in sixth grade!” she whispered with a shake of her head. “He seriously had a full grown beard in elementary school.”
Goldilocks Page 8