Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 123779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
After parking in his usual spot, we walk across the stretch of grass to the entrance.
Together.
Of course, everyone notices. Ryan moving to our small town and picking me as his friend will be front-page news for quite a while.
I can hear the other students’ whispers and how they’re laughing because they think it’s insane that Ryan’s showing any kind of interest in me.
They can all go to hell. If Ryan doesn’t care, then I’m not wasting my time with them, either.
Ryan clears his throat next to me, ripping me out of my thoughts. When I glance up at his face, he looks deep in thought, and I wonder what he’s thinking about.
Does he hear all the whispering?
Shoot. Maybe it’s getting to him, and he’s rethinking being friends with me.
Ugh. I hope that isn’t the case. It would suck big, fat, hairy donkey balls.
I’m upset that I care. Worst of all, I actually like Ryan.
A lot.
Fine, I might be developing a slight crush on him, and I’d hate for the other students to turn him against me.
When we enter the class, it’s no surprise that everyone is sneaking glances in our direction.
I try to ignore all the attention, and after taking my seat, I pull out my sketchpad. Just as I flip to the page I’m working on, my vision blurs.
“Alchera, we need to talk. We’ve both said things better left unsaid, and you’ve had a very exhausting day.”
It’s the same voice from my dream. It sounds so familiar, almost like Ryan’s, but this voice sounds so far away and much deeper.
I glance around only to find myself lying on a bed, feeling like I’ve been hit by a freight train. Feelings swamp me – exhaustion, disappointment, but mostly anger.
“Raighne, just leave me alone,” I sigh. “I don’t have any strength left to hear more of your insults.”
“Alchera, please understand.”
I’m about to get up and glance back so I can see who’s talking when I feel a hand take hold of mine.
I crash back to reality with a jerk. The first thing I feel is the same warmth from when Ryan touched me yesterday, spreading up my arm and quickly through the rest of my body.
Some of the blurriness in my mind clears, and I blink as I try to make sense of what just happened.
“Jane?” Ryan whispers, his tone tense with worry as he squeezes my hand.
My heart starts beating faster and faster when I realize I just zoned out in class.
What the hell just happened?
Was that a dream or something else?
Alchera. The name feels familiar.
“Jane, are you okay?” Ryan asks as he reaches his other hand to my face, his fingers taking hold of my chin.
I quickly pull away, muttering, “I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine. What’s going on?” Ryan keeps his voice low so the other students won’t hear, which I really appreciate.
I shake my head, trying to rid myself of the groggy feeling left behind by the weird dream.
“I’m fine. Just daydreaming.” I try to add a smile, but it must look like some half-ass attempt.
I’m not sure what stuns me more, the dream thingy I just had or Ryan’s concern for me. Either way, embarrassment trickles into my chest.
My eyes land on where he’s holding my hand, and my eyebrows fly up.
“Jane. Ryan. Attention up front!” Mrs. Woods snaps, glaring at us from over her glasses.
My face goes up in flames from being called out in front of the entire class.
“We’ll talk at lunch,” Ryan whispers as he moves our hands beneath the desk, resting them on his thigh.
I just nod, staring at where Ryan’s fingers are wrapped around mine.
Holy shit.
Our first class goes by way too fast, and as we walk into the hallway to head to biology, Ryan doesn’t let go of my hand.
It gives the impression that we are a couple, which will only add fuel to the gossip already spreading throughout the damn school.
Hold up. Biology.
There’s no way I’m cutting open some poor frog. I was planning on skipping class, and somehow, I have to get Ryan to let go of my hand so I can throw a disappearing act.
I tug on Ryan’s hand to get his attention as we squeeze our way through the crowded hallway.
Stopping dead in his tracks, I almost slam into his arm.
He leans down, and for a moment, I’m flustered from having him so close to me. “What’s wrong?”
Strands of his silky, dark brown hair hang slightly across his forehead, and for a crazy second, I’m tempted to brush it away.
I clear my throat then decide to go with the truth. “I can’t cut open a frog. I’m skipping biology.”
“Okay,” he says, his tone gentle.
My eyes jump to his face, but he’s already turning around and tugging me toward the exit.
When we leave the building, I shiver from the cold. Ryan lets go of my hand, and placing his arm around my shoulders, he pulls me right against his side.