Wings Read Free Page B

ran full tilt into a boy standing in front of his locker. They fell to the floor in a tangle of arms and legs as her backpack skidded down the polished linoleum and his books went flying. In an instant he was back on his feet, so nimbly that Tamisin wondered if
he
was a dancer.
    “Sorry,” she said as she scrambled to stand up. “I’m not usually this clumsy.”
    “Neither am I,” said the boy, handing her the backpack. “I’m Jak, and you are …”
    “Tamisin,” she said.
    Jak was about her height and had thick, dark hair and the deepest blue eyes she’d ever seen. The rest of his features weren’t anything extraordinary—his nose was straight, his chin square, his lips full—but as a whole he was surprisingly handsome.
    “Are you all right?” he asked as she stood there, speechless.
    “Sure, uh … yes. But I should be asking you that. I ran into you, remember?”
    Jak shrugged. “I was in your way.”
    The bell rang again, signaling the start of classes. “Darn!” said Tamisin. “I’m late!”
    “I guess that means I am, too. I’m not used to the bell system yet. I just started yesterday.”
    “Go to class, unless you want to get into trouble,” she said over her shoulder as she hurried down the hall. Reaching the door to her classroom, she glanced back. Jak was still standing where she’d left him, staring after her.

Chapter 3
    Hey, Tamisin! Over here!”
    Tamisin stopped on the steps to see who was calling her. Dance practice had lasted longer than she’d expected, and she hadn’t thought anyone would still be around. The other girls had rides or cars of their own, but Tamisin lived only a few blocks from the school and walked home every day.
    Two boys were waiting by the curb. One was Jeremy Johnson, a friend of her brother’s. He was with the new boy, Jak, which surprised her. Jeremy was into sports and usually hung around with the other jocks. Jak didn’t seem to be anything like Jeremy’s usual friends.
    “Hi, Jeremy,” Tamisin said as she reached the sidewalk in front of the school. “What’s up?”
    “You’ve met my man Jak here, haven’t you?”
    Tamisin nodded. “Sure. We ran into each other right after he started here.”
    Jak grinned, transforming his face. Where he’d lookedangry just a moment before, he now looked approachable. “You should smile more often,” she said, surprising herself because she hadn’t meant to say it out loud.
    “All right,” said Jak as if he was taking her suggestion to heart. “But why?”
    Tamisin shrugged. “You’ll make more friends that way.”
    Jeremy snorted and punched Jak in the arm. “Jak here doesn’t need to worry about making friends. He’s cool. Everybody likes Jak.”
    Jak gave Jeremy a half smile, but Tamisin thought he looked uncomfortable.
    “Hi, Jeremy,” cooed a voice that Tamisin knew too well. It was Kendra again with Tiffany.
    “Kendra,” Jeremy said, not looking too pleased. Jeremy had dated Kendra for a few weeks the year before. Tamisin didn’t know exactly what had happened, but Jeremy had broken up with her.
    Kendra must have noticed Jeremy’s reaction because her smile became brittle and forced. “Why don’t you introduce me to your friend? You’re the new boy, aren’t you?” she said to Jak.
    Tamisin laughed. Since kindergarten Kendra had been a terrible liar. “This is Jak,” Jeremy said, sounding defensive. “Jak, that’s Kendra.”
    “Hi!” Kendra turned up the wattage of her smile until Tamisin was almost embarrassed for her, especially since Jak didn’t seem the least bit interested.
    “Hey,” he said.
    “So, Tamisin,” said Jeremy. “You busy? Jak and I are headed over to—”
    Jak staggered and nearly bumped into her. A gray cat from somewhere in the neighborhood had crossed the street and was forcefully rubbing against Jak’s legs. “Don’t do that!” said the boy, sounding more annoyed than surprised as he shoved the cat away with his foot. Only Kendra didn’t seem