Levi reached for me, and out of instinct I flinched. It was a small movement but enough for him to notice. He hesitated for a second before patting me on the shoulder.
“Thanks for coming to dinner with me.”
I smiled, trying to hide my embarrassment. “I’m glad you asked me. I had fun. Uh, I better go in. I’ll see you on Tuesday.”
I unlocked the door and gave him a little wave as he got into his truck. He waved back, but waited until I was safely inside before pulling away. I flopped down on the couch and took a deep breath. I had to remind myself that Levi was only going to be my friend. I was living a total lie and could never involve such a wonderful man in that. No matter how much I wanted to open my heart and mind to the possibilities of a better future, I knew it was no use. My secrets would destroy anyone I let in, just like they were destroying me.
***
I woke up later that night drenched in sweat, the nightmare and memories still fresh in my mind. I curled up on my side, screamed into my pillow, and cried until exhaustion finally took me under.
Chapter Three
Springfield, Tennessee
16 Months Earlier
Hallie stood at our locker with her hands on her hips and an impatient look on her face. Her strawberry blond curls bounced as she jogged to my side.
“Where the heck have you been, Katie?” she asked, her big voice not matching her petite frame.
“Well good morning to you too, sunshine,” I grumbled, pointing to my hair. “This mess of mine wouldn’t act right.”
I liked my thick, chestnut brown hair, but it was a hassle to style. It went past my shoulder blades and desperately needed a trim. I had wasted twenty minutes attempting to tame it so I could wear it down, but it wouldn’t cooperate. So once again, it was a ponytail kind of day.
“Well, you just missed him,” she hissed.
I groaned, rolling my eyes. She was referring to JT again. JT Grant was the hottest guy in the 12th grade. He was tall and well-built with blond hair and bright blue eyes. He looked like he’d just gotten off of a surfboard, which made him really stand out here. He had a face and body he was proud of, and it showed. He wasn’t my type, or rather, I wasn’t his. He was our quarterback, which along with his looks, made him super popular. There were also rumors that he liked to party. I tried not to judge anyone based on gossip, but there was plenty to go around about him. I wasn’t popular or athletic, and preferred to hang out at home with Hallie rather than go to a party.
I was a good Christian girl, and didn’t fit in with his crowd of friends. I spent most of my free time at church doing activities with my youth group. I wasn’t a cheerleader or on the dance line, but liked to stay in the background with my nose buried in a book. I wasn’t unattractive- actually, people often called me pretty, but that wasn’t important to me. I stood at 5’7” and weighed 122 pounds so I had curves, but made sure they were kept covered in modest clothing. I wasn’t a prude or anything, but I already had something that drew attention to me, and I didn’t want any extra.
My parents told me I was born with brown eyes but as I got older, they slowly changed to a golden, coppery color. They called them amber. I called them weird. They made me stand out when all I wanted to do was blend in. I liked to think of myself as just a regular girl, with strange eyes and a heart for Jesus.
“Hallie, I love ya honey, but I couldn’t care less if he walked by. He doesn’t know we exist, even though we’ve gone to school together for the last two years.”
She just sighed, grabbed my arm and pulled me towards class. Neither one of us could afford another tardy.
***
Time seemed to stand still during my morning classes. If I hadn’t stayed up so late on the phone with Hallie the night before, maybe I could actually pay attention. She was so excited though. She went on and on about how JT brushed against her arm in the lunch line. I made all the required best friend oohs and aahs, but I really didn’t think it was a big deal. He’d brushed against her arm as he reached for a nasty cafeteria burrito. It wasn’t like he’d asked her to marry him, but in Hallie’s mind- he’d done it on purpose. She had a serious crush on him, and I had accused her before of being boy crazy.
I was definitely not boy crazy. I’d only had two boyfriends in my eighteen years. The first was in elementary school. He was nice but a little chubby. Our relationship consisted of sitting next to each other at recess. He would ask me to save him the cupcake my mom packed in my lunch, and after four days, I figured out he was just using me for my desserts. Boyfriend number two came along in the seventh grade. That relationship lasted a month but wasn’t more than some smiles at each other in the hallways and a peck on the cheek after a school dance. He was cute and sweet, but I didn’t feel anything in my heart for him. I mean nothing, not even a little bit.
In high school, guys began to approach me and comment on my eyes. I was told they looked like a sunset, a blazing fire, and one guy even compared them to a wolf’s eyes. I wasn’t sure if this was a compliment or not. I was always polite and somehow managed to smile but was never impressed.
The worst thing though, was when the Twilight movies were released. Some of the kids thought it was funny to start calling me Katie Cullen. I didn’t think it was funny and was relieved when the last movie finally came out and that ridiculous nickname faded away.
I wanted someone who saw past my looks, someone who saw the real me. I had a passion for Christ and wasn’t afraid to show it. I didn’t stop kids in the hallways and browbeat them with my Bible or anything. I just didn’t do or say anything that reflected poorly on my faith. This wasn’t a good thing for my social life, but it didn’t bother me too much. I had been asked out a few times, but the guys seemed wrong for me, so I had politely declined.
Hallie thought I was shy, but that wasn’t it. I thought my heart was oblivious to those kinds of feelings, or maybe I was destined to be single. There was nothing wrong with that. I had a great best friend, a church youth group that kept me busy and a family that loved me. It didn’t matter that there was no guy for me to walk with in the hallways, or take me out on dates. I was just fine on my own.
***
I made it to third period with a few minutes to spare. We were reviewing for a section test, and it was boring. I slumped into my seat at the back of the class, resting my chin in my hand. I made good grades and had already applied to the college I wanted to attend, so I figured it was okay to zone out for a few minutes. I must have fallen asleep though, because I never heard the teacher calling my name. I felt someone’s fingers brush tenderly down my arm, and my eyes flew open. I glanced up and found the teacher staring at me.
“Miss Crane, am I boring you?”
I straightened in my chair, feeling my cheeks begin to redden. “No sir,” I replied.
“Do you think you’ll be able to stay awake in my class now?” he asked snidely.
“Yes sir, Mr. Reid.”
I was mortified. No teacher had ever called me out in class before. I heard someone clear their throat beside me and slowly turned my head. It was Seth Turner, and he was looking right at me. He was the second hottest guy in 12th grade and was JT’s best friend. He wagged his fingers at me, and gave me a charming smile.
No way! That was him? He was the one who’d woken me up. I mouthed the words “thank you”, and he nodded his head. I turned back towards the front of the class but still felt his eyes on me, and I kind of liked it.
***
I sat with Hallie at our usual table near the lunch room doors. She rushed in right after her last class to get us the good seats so we could people watch, as she called it. I generally ignored everyone and pushed the food around on my tray. If someone spoke to me, I would speak back but that was about it. I mainly just waved occasionally and smiled.
As I intently picked at my lunch, trying to determine the ingredients of the mystery casserole, I felt a hand land on my shoulder. I raised my head, locking eyes with Seth Turner.
/> “Are you awake now Sleeping Beauty?” he asked, a sly grin spreading across his face.
The speech part of my brain apparently stopped functioning, as I sat there groping for the words to say. I wasn’t very experienced with flirting, like not at all. There were guys in my youth group that I talked to some, but they were not the flirting kind and definitely not at church.
I finally opened my mouth but all that came out was, “Yeah.” Awesome Katie! Wow him with your conversation skills.
He chuckled and gazed at me a moment longer before walking out the lunch room doors. I turned to Hallie, her mouth hung wide open.
“Close your mouth, girly,” I muttered, squishing her lips together with my fingers.
She swatted my hand away. “What did he call you?”
I shrugged and proceeded to tell her about the incident in third period.
“Oh, maybe he likes you,” she said, wiggling her eyebrows.
“Nah, he was just being nice.” I wasn’t about to let myself think it was more than that.
***
I made my way to my locker after last period, replaying the events from the lunch room. Was Seth calling me beautiful? This was too weird. I had known him since the fifth grade, but he had never shown any interest in me before. Actually, I couldn’t even remember him saying more than the occasional “hi” as we passed in the hallways. I’d always thought he was attractive, not as attractive as his best friend JT but honestly, nobody in this town was.
I’d glanced over at him occasionally in class when school first began, but after we made eye contact a few times, I got embarrassed and quit. I refused to be one of those girls that mooned over him. I was sure he got enough of that hanging out with JT.
Seth was around six feet tall with light brown, wavy hair that was just long enough to curl at the collar of his shirt. He had beautiful, forest green eyes with little flecks of brown mixed in. He had an athletic looking body, not muscled-up like JT but lean and fit, like a runner. I knew he played football, but I didn’t have a clue what position. And even though he hung out with JT, I’d never heard anything negative about him.
When I reached our locker, Hallie was already there with a huge grin plastered on her face. “What’s with that creepy smile?” I asked, a little startled.
She huffed and reached up, turning my head to the side. I noticed Seth in the distance, and it looked as if he was headed in our direction. She’d obviously already spotted him. I gently pried her hand from my face and tried to compose myself. As I watched him get closer, I thought maybe he was just walking by. I didn’t want to get excited over nothing, but I was wrong. He walked right up to me and stopped.
“Hey,” he said, tipping his chin up.
I was a little more prepared this time, so I managed to reply, “Hi, Seth,” without sounding like an idiot.
He noticed Hallie behind me and smiled at her. “Hey, Hallie. How are ya?”
She smiled back sweetly. “I’m good.”
He opened his mouth to say more, when he was interrupted by a hard punch to the shoulder. It was JT Grant.
“Hey, Seth, what’s up?” he asked, his voice already grating on my nerves.
Seth rubbed his shoulder and shot him a dirty look, before jerking his head in my direction. JT finally noticed me standing there.
“Whoa! Your eyes are freaky. Wait, I know you. You’re that Katie Cullen girl,” he said, giving me a cocky grin.
I resisted rolling my eyes, afraid he might comment on them again. “It’s Crane, Katie Crane.”
Would that stupid name follow me forever? I watched as his eyes drifted from my face, went all the way down my body, and back up. I glanced over at Hallie, but she was too awe struck to notice his disturbing once-over of me.
I felt a sharp pinch in my back, like the kind Mom used to give me in church when she thought I wasn’t paying enough attention. Ouch! I’m probably going to have a bruise. I turned my head, glaring at her, but her stare never faltered. She jerked her head towards JT. I assumed that meant she wanted me to introduce her. I huffed and looked back at JT. “This is my best friend, Hallie,” I said, gesturing to her with my hand.
“Yeah, I’ve seen her around,” he replied, never taking his eyes from me. Wow! He is a real charmer.
He stared intently at my face with a look of curiosity. “So, what’s up with your eyes?”
With no hesitation and a serious face, I replied, “I thought you already knew. I’m a vampire.”
Seth chuckled and elbowed JT out of the way. He reached out, running his hand down my ponytail. “A really cute one too.”
I blushed and lowered my head to hide it, but Seth wasn’t having that. He placed his fingers under my chin, lifting my face back up to his. “I’ve got to go, but I’ll be seeing you around,” he said, gazing into my eyes. It sounded more like a promise to me.
I watched as he and JT walked away. JT laughed as Seth punched him in the arm. I didn’t care to know what that punch was for. If I went by my first impression of JT, I would guess it was probably for something crude.
I turned back to Hallie. She looked heartbroken and already had her things together, ready to leave. I knew she was hurt by JT’s reaction to officially meeting her. I decided right then to let the little pinching incident go, even if it left a bruise.
I walked her to the parking lot and watched as she threw her things down in the passenger seat of her car. She turned to me with tears shining in her eyes. I pulled her in for a tight hug as I felt my own tears rolling down my cheeks.
“Oh Hallie, I’m so sorry JT hurt your feelings.”
She sniffed and wiped her nose on my shoulder. I ignored it. I had no problem with icky. “I’ve had a crush on him forever. I thought he brushed up against me in line on purpose. I’m such an idiot,” she blubbered before pulling herself together and letting out a deep breath.
I let her go and looked down at her sweet pixie face. My heart broke for her. She was sensitive and had always worn her heart on her sleeve.
“You are not an idiot. He is, if he can’t see how great you are. God has someone special just for you, and we both know it wouldn’t be someone like JT. You’ve got to be patient.”
She gave me a watery smile, reached over and cleaned off my shoulder where she’d previously wiped her nose. “I’m sorry about that,” she said, rubbing her hand on her pants. “Thanks for being such a great friend. I’m okay now.”
She gave me another hug before getting in her car. She checked her make-up, gave me a small smile, and drove away.
I strolled over to my car and slowly made my way home. My head filled with questions, and my stomach filled with butterflies.
***
“Mom, I’m home,” I yelled, throwing my backpack down on the couch.
“I’m in my room, honey,” she called from upstairs.
Mom and Dad had been married for twenty years. They’d been high school sweethearts and were still so in love. I’d catch the two of them holding hands and kissing, but it didn’t gross me out. It was all I knew. I was used to it. They were wonderful parents, and I knew they loved me very much. I didn’t have many rules, just keep my room clean and help with the laundry. I was respectful and didn’t cause any trouble. An only child, I sometimes wished I had a sibling, but Mom had a rough pregnancy with me, and her doctor suggested she not have more children.
We had what I guessed was a normal life- school, work, church, dinners together, and regular vacations in the summer. Our life was nothing extravagant, maybe even a little boring, but we were comfortable, and I was content with that.
I walked into her room, where she was getting her school clothes ready for the next day. She taught elementary school and was excellent at it. Always kind and patient, she was loved by all of her students.
“How was your day?” she asked as I flopped down on her bed.
I grabbed her pillow, hugging it to my chest. “Weird.”
We had a great relationship and talked about al
l kinds of stuff but not about guys. It never really came up.
“Weird, why’s that?” she asked as she sat next to me on the bed. She reached over and began to play with my ponytail. It was a habit she had ever since I was two and finally grew some hair. She’d been afraid I was going to be bald forever.
I informed her about my day at school but left out Seth’s name. She was quiet for a moment, as it all sunk in.
“Sleeping Beauty, huh? That was original. Who’s the guy?” she asked, sounding a bit concerned.
I glanced up at her beautiful sweet face. Her warm brown eyes shined with curiosity.
I hugged the pillow tighter and cleared my throat. “It was Seth Turner,” I murmured.
Her hand paused in my hair for a second before she resumed stroking it, but it was enough that I noticed.
She smiled brightly. “I know his mom. She talks about him quite a bit. He sure is a cutie too.”
I couldn’t have stopped my grin even if I had wanted to. “Yeah, he’s pretty cute.”
I sat up, ready to leave, but she grabbed my hand. “Honey, I know this is something new for you. We haven’t really talked much about boys and you’ve never dated, but don’t be afraid. This is your last year of high school- have fun and make some memories. I love you, and you know I’m here to listen anytime you want to talk about anything.”
“I love you too, Mom. You’ll be the first to know if I need to talk,” I replied and bounced off to my room, my grin still in place.
Chapter Four
In third period English the next day, whenever I glanced over at Seth, he was watching me with a beautiful smile on his face. I was pretty sure mine looked more like a goofy grin. When the bell rang, he walked me to the cafeteria and we waited in the lunch line together.
“You know what? I almost asked you out last year,” he informed me.
“What? Why didn’t you?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. You didn’t ever seem to notice me until yesterday.”
Katie's Glimpse (The Glimpse Series) Page 3