All of It Read Free Page B

not like we have to eat lunch together, right? Am I obligated as his guide for the day? It’s the polite thing to do, but is it the “right” thing to do? Do I ask him to join me? I don’t want to give him the wrong impression and I honestly don’t want to suffer an extra hour of the embarrassment that’s sure to come.
    I suddenly realize I’m standing completely still in the middle of a very busy hallway carrying on an internal conversation with myself. Though the conversation is internal, at least I hope I haven’t said anything out loud. The way this morning’s been going, I very well may have. I’m sure the expressions on my face revealed every emotion that went along with the dialogue. My forehead pinches together, and as I begin to move my feet, I whisper to myself, “Calm down, it’s going to be a good day.” This I do say aloud, because reassurance is necessary. That and it’s just easier to convince myself if I hear it.
    I try to clear my mind as I step through the double doors into the sunlight and walk across the courtyard to the gym. The heat of the day is comforting. The sky remains clear, the same brilliant shade of blue it had been earlier. I walk slowly soaking it in as I breathe deeply and steadily. My eyes are closed and my heart rate returns to a semblance of normalcy. I’ve walked this path a thousand times and can literally do it with my eyes closed. Besides there’s no one in the courtyard—it’s always empty. Most people prefer to walk indoors.
    Our school is made up of four buildings: the gym and athletic facilities, the art and performing arts studio, the cafeteria and auditorium, and the academic classrooms and staff offices. Corridors connect all the buildings so you don’t actually have to go outside to get from one building to the next, a handy thing to have in the winter since we do live in Colorado. The buildings and corridors surround the courtyard on all sides. It’s a long grassy area slightly larger than a tennis court. There’s a tree and a flower garden. It’s a sanctuary in the middle of the chaos. I take every advantage to be out in it when it’s warm. It’s kind of like my little secret.
    I reach the gym and see Dimitri through the glass doors. He’s talking to a guy I’ve never seen at school before, but he looks familiar. He’s shorter than Dimitri, a full head shorter, 5’6”, maybe 5'-7". His hair is fair, almost white, and hangs just past his shoulders. It’s wavy and intentionally messy. It’s way better than girl hair; it’s model hair. Guys having better-than-girl hair is so unfair. His eyes appear dark from a distance. His chest is broad and he’s definitely muscular, it shows through his fitted shirt. His clothes are the same type the other guys at school wear, but are obviously higher-end. He holds himself confidently and his stance reminds me of someone. He doesn’t look arrogant, but unapproachable. He’s definitely going to get a lot of attention from the girls around here, but I wonder who’ll be brave enough to try? My money’s on Chloe Murphy. The thought of it brings up a strange feeling inside me. Nothing like jealousy—I don’t feel attracted to him in that way. He’s nice looking, but he’s not at all my type. I like tall, dark, and skinny. Always have, always will. The feeling I have is more protective. The same way I feel about my closest friends. Weird …
    I watch them talk. They can’t see me from where I stand, so I take advantage of being inconspicuous. And it finally dawns on me why the other boy looks so familiar. It’s like he and Dimitri are looking in a mirror. Despite the extreme height difference they both stand tall, unquestionably confident. Physically they don’t look alike at all, but their mannerisms and hand gestures are similar. They are obviously at ease with each other. These two know each other well.
    I shift my eyes to Dimitri. I’ve been so focused on myself and my obligation that I haven’t