“Hi.” I glance away, pretending I don’t notice him. “Thanks, Mom.” I take a bite of my Pop-Tart. “I should get going. Nice to meet you, Ethan,” I rush to say before I’m out the front door and my mom can’t try and correct me calling him the wrong name. Little does she know I did her a favor. Now he thinks I won’t remember who he is.
The last name Porter does sound familiar, and then it hits me. That’s the same last name of the Jack guy who invited me to the party. At least I’m guessing it was because that’s what was stitched on the back of his letterman jacket. God, I hope this town isn't that small.
It’s early when I make it to the high school, which I did on purpose. I’m supposed to report to the main office before class so that when the first bell rings I can get a tour of the school while the hallways are empty. Getting here before then lets me take a peek for myself.
I tried to sign up for one of the music classes, but they told me it was full. All I really wanted was to play the piano because it’s been months since I’ve gotten my fingers on an acoustic one. To feel each strike of the key and be able to control the power is something I could never do on a digital keyboard. It can’t feel the difference of true touch when playing sweetly or with overwhelming determination.
The need for that release has been simmering inside of me for weeks, and when I make it to the school parking lot, I'm grateful it’s mostly empty. The only sounds I hear are whistles and loud grunts and then I see guys practicing on the football field.
One of the players stops to talk to the coach who blew the whistle, and he’s hard to miss. When he pulls his helmet off, he’s listening intently to whatever the coach tells him. He must go to the school if he’s on the team but he’s not built like any of the other guys. I’ve been to high school before and seen football players, but this guy is huge.
I don’t know if he feels me watching, but he suddenly turns his head my way, and his eyes lock with mine. I’m frozen in a moment I don’t quite understand until someone else comes running up behind the giant player. The other guy claps him on the back, and the movement breaks our connection. When my attention is pulled away, I realize the guy behind him holding his helmet is Jack. Of course. He notices me just as fast, and I want to crawl in a hole and disappear.
“Hey new girl! Like what you see?” he shouts, and not only does the giant player glance my way again but so do the coaches and the rest of the guys on the field.
Feeling utterly embarrassed, I hurry down the sidewalk and ignore whatever else they might be saying as I rush into the school. For some strange reason, disappointment fills me that the two of them are friends. Football players are a team, so I shouldn’t be surprised the big guy is a jerk too.
Once I’m inside, I try to shake off the encounter as I go in search of the music department.
The word theater is etched into the glass over two double doors, and I peek in one to find what I’m looking for. On the stage is a piano, and when I pull on the handle, the door opens.
I don’t see anyone around so I make my way toward the stage. It’s over half an hour before school is supposed to start, and surely no one will notice if I play one little song or two. I drop my bag down next to the piano and take a seat.
For the first time in months, a smile breaks across my face as I place my fingers on the keys.
Chapter Four
TATE
“Yo, Tate, where you going?” Shaun asks when I don’t take a seat at our usual lunch table.
“I need to talk to Steffy.” He looks like he’s about to say something just as Desha comes over, and then all thoughts of me and my plans are gone.
Desha isn’t a bad person, but she’s not the person I’d pick for my best friend. She’s sneaky, and Shaun has caught her lying about who she was with on more than one occasion. I remind myself that it’s not my relationship, but I can’t imagine being okay with that kind of love. To me, when you’re with the right person, you’d never do anything to hurt them.
Steffy Greenfield is student body president, captain of the debate team, and she’s also in charge of new incoming students. Noblesville is small enough that we only have one high school in town, but it’s big enough that every year we get a few new students. I know pretty much everyone’s face even if I don’t know their name. At practice this morning, I saw a girl across the field that I knew I’d never seen before.
On my way to class this morning, I saw her again in the office talking to Steffy. She had her back to me, but then the second bell went off, and I had to hustle to class. When I saw her across the field, I had this weird feeling of déjà vu. It was so strange, but it was like I knew her even though I’d never seen her before.
I spent my first three periods thinking maybe she’d be in one of my classes, but it didn’t happen. Now I’m on a mission to locate Steffy and find out where this new mystery girl went. Maybe I can ask her where she’s from or figure out if I know her. I can’t shake this need to talk to her.
“Hey, Steffy,” I say when I walk up to her table. She’s sitting alone and typing furiously on her phone.
“Can’t talk, Tate, I’m in the middle of a very important document that requires my full attention.” She doesn’t look up as she dismisses me.
I ignore her and take a seat as I glance at the screen on her phone. “Is that Dragon Ball Z fanfic?”
“How dare you?” She’s overdramatic as she clutches her chest and quickly hides her phone. “A woman’s inner desires are private.”
“I can keep a secret if you’ll help me out.”
“You know I don’t swing your way.” Her face screws up in disgust as her eyes quickly travel up and down my body. “Boys are gross.”
“I agree, but listen, I need to know about the new girl.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, the new girl walks up and places her tray beside Steffy’s.
“Tate Albright, I’d like you to meet Rosemary Lane.” Steffy is sugary sweet as she looks between us.
“Hey.” Suddenly I don’t know how to use my mouth or my words as she turns her bright eyes on me. They’re rimmed in black eyeliner, making them stand out even more, and it feels like they can see right through me. I swallow hard and feel my chest rise too quickly. Do I remember how to breathe?
“Hey.” She gives me a half grin as she tucks her hair behind her ear and grabs the water bottle off her lunch tray.
“Interesting,” Steffy comments as she continues to watch us. “Do you two know each other?”
“No,” we both answer at the same time, which somehow makes me feel guilty.
“Introductions have been made,” Steffy says, grabbing her bag and empty tray. “I’ve got to finish my chapter before fourth period. Tate, can you squire Rosemary to economics?”
“What?” I blink a few times because my brain feels like it can’t keep up.
“You’ve got econ next, right?” Steffy asks, and I nod. “So does Rosemary. I’ll leave her in your capable hands.”
Steffy bends down and whispers something in her ear that I don’t catch before she waves goodbye and leaves the two of us sitting there. Rosemary’s eyes don’t meet mine for a long moment, and I start to feel bad.