Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 71967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
“Sorry!” he laughs. “Gotta love the imbalance of electrical charges,” he sheepishly holds up a wool winter hat in his other hand.
“Huh?” I’m confused, but more than anything, I’m thankful for this moment - for any moment with him.
“Never mind, terrible science joke,” his eyes pierce into mine. They’re like diamonds - cold and clear, brooding, but something in them is kind and gentle, with a hint of wickedness - such an enigma. I’m ready for yet another one of our encounters to take over my dreams tonight.
“You, uh, look nice,” his hand reaches behind his neck. “Your hair.”
I blush, only to later find out, when I get to the bathroom, that it’s erratic. I must have looked like Elvira, or even Medusa. He was most likely making fun of my static hair.
“You’re here early,” he takes a key out of his pocket and fumbles with the lock on a door I’ve never noticed before.
“Is this some secret lab?” I joke, rubbing my sweaty palms together.
“Unfortunately, it’s not nearly as cool,” he clicks the door open and turns on the light, moving aside so I can see in. “Just my office.”
“Right,” I smile.
He throws his briefcase messenger bag inside before facing me again. I wonder if he’ll invite me in to this little private space of his, and my heart expands, full of hope and the chance at another conversation. His brow creases, like he’s deciding something, and when he sighs heavily, my mood sinks.
It’s not going to happen.
“Have a good day, Luci,” he breathes.
“See you later,” I mumble, discouraged.
I don’t hear the door shut, and I’m too nervous to look back, so I focus on his classroom at the other end of the hall as I make my way down it. Just as I’m about to turn the corner, I hear him call my name.
He’s lightly jogging towards me and I blink, because he can’t be real.
People are starting to fill the halls, and when I meet his gaze something passes between us, a silent note, and for a split second I recognize the exact look.
It’s the same intoxicating thrill that I regard him with.
“Um,” he exhales loudly, going through yet another deliberation with himself. “Make sure you know the properties of hydrogen for today’s daily quiz.”
My reply is a mix between a breathy laugh and an okay. I really don’t think that’s what he was going to say, and the thought of that alone makes my entire body buzz.
There are these two girls in my gym class who constantly talk about this one boy band in a hauntingly obsessive way. I recognize one of the girls; I think her name is Jess. She’s known for her crazy wild parties.
Today, I’m walking behind them as we circle the gym. They’re going on about how they plan on skipping school in a few weeks to see the lead singer in some Broadway show. They make it sound like he’ll actually fall in love with them.
Normally, I’d laugh at their nonsense, but for the first time ever, I understand it.
The need.
The desire.
I’m jealous they have each other to talk about their obsession with, since I can’t talk to anyone about mine.
English with Ms. Harrington is once again a complete breeze. She never calls on me, and I’m sure that’s because she knows I know the answer. I don’t think I’ve gotten less than an A on anything, and everyone in the class is constantly asking me how I do it, like it’s hard to actually pay attention and know the right responses. I eagerly await my chance to sit at my desk in the very back and think about her brother.
How twisted is that?
I wonder if they’re close. If they get together on weekends, or what it was like for them growing up?
I’m dying to know.
I want to learn everything about him.
Do they have any other siblings? Do they ever discuss school?
Does he ever talk about me?
Ashley is the first person to notice my makeup when I return to the lunchroom from the bathroom.
“Oh. My. Gosh. Luci, look at you!” She says this so loudly that I want to punch her. Yes, I may have put on tiny bit of blush, as well as a small dab of mascara. I guess it makes a big difference on someone who never wears anything. My hair is still down, and I get it. I look different. I understand. I was clearly some monster before this and have made some huge transformation. This is exactly why I didn’t put on the makeup until now. At least I’ll have all of study hall to get used to it, as well as everyone’s reactions, before chemistry.
Unfortunately, when Ashley talks, everyone at our table looks her way, and then at me - guys and girls - the former shouting out catcalls and the later gushing on how ‘it’s about time.’