Rarity Read Free

someone deserving of her affection.  I stomped up the wood steps and grabbed my pjs and hit the shower.
     
    Before bed, I did my last daily ritual, I drew in my sketchbook.  Since my dad exited our lives, I began sketching and I promised myself I would not look back at them till I  filled the book, cover to cover.  I dated the top corner of the page and got out my pencil.  I never paid much attention to what I drew - usually there were some pictures and words on a page that resembled what I felt inside.  Once I finished, I stashed the sketchbook under my nightstand and grabbed my new novel.  Before I knew it, I felt mom kiss my forehead and set my book down while whispering, “goodnight.”
     

 
    Chapter 3
     
    With the first week coming to a close, it was evident that Becca was officially in the gorgeous girls clique.  The clique, aka Blonde-squad, was beginning to warm up to her and Becca was quickly showing she was not the sweet innocent girl she first appeared to be.  I overheard some of the football players in the hall behind me, “Did you see how she was licking that lollipop?  I’d like to have her lick MY lollipop.”  Eye roll.  Did all high school guys think with their dicks?  They could have her, I didn’t want some shallow guy like that as a boyfriend - probably would end up having affairs on their women, like my dad did.
     
    I still hadn’t figured out Jay.  His cousin, Soren, was a likable guy.  He joked around with people in all groups and never seemed to get in the mix of any conflict.  He ran track and seemed decently smart.  He would have been a great catch, but he wasn’t my type.  He had dark, curly hair, olive skin coloring, was a tad short, and he was a die hard country music fan.  I was attracted to tall, trim, smart guys, that liked anything BUT country music.  Today, Jay had on a Def Leppard t-shirt with his worn jeans.  I could do Def Leppard, a bit old school, but cool.  What the heck was I talking about.  I couldn’t think like that.  I’d never attract him.  He’s gorgeous AND the new shiny thing.   Every girl wanted him and it would probably be someone like Becca who landed him.  She had the looks and the social standing. 
     
    In Algebra I was having a hard time focusing.  I kept stewing over Jay, trying to figure him out.  I saw him looking at Becca and I knew it’s just a matter of time before he made his move.  
     
    “Brogen.  Brogen!  Please tell us the answer to number 5.”
     
    Oh crud.  I snapped out of my daydream and saw Jay looking at me with a half smile.  BUSTED.  I must have been staring in his direction while Mr. Johnson called me out.  Dang it!  I sat straighter and scanned my paper “Um, 37.” 
     
    “Correct.  Please try to remain focused for the rest of class,” he chided me.
     
    I felt my cheeks pink up and wished I could run out of there and hide under a rock.  Becca was snickering at me...officially putting her on my “People I Love to Hate” list.   The bell couldn’t ring soon enough.  I grabbed my things and headed toward my locker.  Once I got there I rested my head on the locker door, needing a moment of solitude.  I hated being caught in embarrassing moments, I liked to fly under the radar. 
     
    “Excuse me.”  I heard a male voice I couldn’t place.  Turning around, not sure who to expect, Jay was standing in front of me and my heart began pounding rapidly in my chest.  My brain was running through reasons why he was here.  Maybe he was confronting me and wanted to know why I was staring at him?  Maybe he wanted to heckle me like Becca?  Maybe he mistook me for someone else?  Maybe he wanted to confess his love to me?  “You left this on your desk,”  he held out my phone.
     
    “Wow, thanks.  That would have cost way too much to replace.”  I couldn’t look him in the eye, my nerves had buzzed to life.  I couldn’t believe my body was reacting like this to the new boy