29
Jessica
“Long night?” Eric asked as he laid his head on the desk and peered at me with his green eyes.
I nodded groggily. Ms. Hinkel was allowing a study hall in our homeroom today, but I couldn’t concentrate. I hadn’t slept. “How about you?” I asked, and he shrugged.
“Same, but it was worth it,” he admitted with a stifled laugh. “Unlike you, I’m not tired.”
“I’m not that tired.”
“Mhmm,” he hummed, and I pressed my forehead against the cool table, ignoring his ability to irritate.
“What were you doing last night?” I asked.
“Getting some stresses out I suppose.”
I peeked through my curls. “I heard about the funeral.” The confession rolled off my lips. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
His jaw popped. “But I’m used to it, right?”
I whistled low, knowing he was referring to the day before. “So you did hear Crystal.”
He shrugged and lifted his head, pressing his back against the chair. I mirrored his movements and opened my mouth to speak, but was interrupted.
“Ms. Taylor, can I see you at my desk?” Ms. Hinkel asked, and I straightened up. Eric, on the other hand, didn’t move.
I pushed my chair back and hurried to her desk. “Yes, ma’am?” I asked, fiddling with the ends of my hair.
She moved a photograph around on her desk. “I hope I’m not out of line, Ms. Taylor, but your mother told me about your parents.”
My heart lodged into my throat. “They did?”
She nodded. “They thought I might know them, because I’ve lived here my entire life.” Like everyone else in Hayworth. “But I didn’t know them personally, but if you need help looking up anyone else, I’d love to help.”
“Er, thanks,” I said, stepping backward. I’d rather not discuss my personal life. “Can I go back to my desk now?”
Ms. Hinkel nodded, and I spun on my heel, practically running back to my desk. I slid into my seat, clutched my bag, and threw books on the table, desperately trying to distract myself. Did she seriously have to say something in the middle of class? The entire class had to hear. My face was burning with embarrassment. My fingers shook, and my pencil rolled across the table, toppling off.
I sprung forward to grab it, but Eric caught it, inches from me. His eyes met mine, and I noticed the electric streaks in his emerald-colored gaze.
We scooted backward, and he laid my pencil in front of me. “No one paid any attention,” he said, running a hand through his hair. His bangs stood up with static.
“Except you,” I guessed.
He laid his hands on his knees. “I didn’t know you were looking for your family,” he said.
“I wasn’t,” I sighed. “I needed good grades before I could.”
His jaw rocked. “And that’s why you were so pushy about the project.”
I nodded.
“I expected something more normal, like being able to hang out on the weekends—or prom,” he said, and I tapped my nails along my thigh. I kept forgetting about prom. I had more important things on my mind.
“I’m not as normal as you’d think, Eric,” I said, and his gaze darkened.
“Neither am I.”
I giggled at his darkness; his personality was beyond bizarre. “I never said I thought you were normal,” I said, and he managed a smile.
“And you think that’s funny?”
“How couldn’t I?”
His smile stretched into a grin. “You’re one interesting girl, Jessica.”
My blood tingled through my veins, and I shifted in my seat. “You’re pretty interesting too.”
He frowned. “Interesting isn’t what I’d call it.”
“What would you call it then?” I asked, and he dropped his eyes, looking at the blank papers in front of him.
“I can’t say.”
“I don’t believe that,” I said, and he raised his brow beneath his shaggy hair.
“I never asked you to.”
The bell rang, but we didn’t move. Our bags remained at our feet, and our chairs stayed in place. He stared, widening his green eyes, and I bit my lip, unable to move. “Did I say something wrong?” I asked, and he shook his head.
“No,” he whispered before his mouth snapped shut. He scooted back, and I felt a hand on my shoulder.
I turned around as Robb leaned over to pick up my bag. Crystal smacked her gum and grinned. “Are you coming or not?” she asked, and I stood up, turning my back to Eric.
“Yeah,” I said, even though I didn’t want to.
Minutes Before Sunset Page 35