Free Glimmer by Amber Garza Page B

down at my own arms and take in the colorful images painting my flesh.
    “C’mon, it’s our turn.”Micah nudges me.
    I move forward and grab an orange tray. “So, you wanna hang out tonight?”
    “Can’t. I’m going to Aunt Tabby’s.”
    Reaching for a packaged salad, I smile. I’ve always been a little jealous of Micah’s close ties to his aunt. I’m not close to any of my extended family.
    After loading up our trays, we head toward an empty table in the corner. As we pass other tables crammed with kids, I feel the familiar pang of longing. If only we could sit at one of those. I notice a couple of students glancing at us as we pass. I’m pretty sure most kids think we’re freaks, and if they knew the truth , it would only be worse for us.
    Lost in my own thoughts, I collide with a warm body. M y tray slides from my fingers and s tarts to fall to the floor. However, Micah’s arm juts out swiftly and he catches it in his palm. I heave a sigh of relief, not wishing to embarrass myself in front of the entire student body by dropping my lunch . Clutching my chest, I glance up.
    My heart stops. “Sam.” I love the way his name sounds as I roll it on my tongue. “I’m sorry. I guess I wasn’t watching where I was going.”
    Sam shoves his hands into the pocket of his washed out jeans. One side of his mouth curls upward. “Yeah, clearly. Good thing your boyfriend was.”
    I cringe, wishing he didn’t think Micah was my boyfriend. It shouldn’t matter. Most people in school think Micah and I are together. Usually I just go with it, but for some reason I really don’t want Sam to think that.
    “He’s not my boyfriend,” I blurt out before I can stop myself, and my face warms.
    Sam raises his eyebrows, his lips slowly curving into a smirk that makes me feel like an idiot. Then h e swivels on his heels and saunters off. I turn to Micah, who now holds both of our trays in his massive hands .
    “Thanks,” I mumble , as I snatch mine from him.
    “Anytime.” H e starts to walk toward the table, h is eyebrows knit together in a pensive look .
    I glance back at the boy who isn’t one of us. The boy I shouldn’t be interested in at all. The one I’ve been warned to stay away from for years.
     
     

Sam
     
    I FEEL SOMEONE watching me . Even before turning , I’m positive it’s Delaney. Sure enough , when I whip around I catch sigh t of her bright emerald eyes staring back at me. Unnerved, I swiftly look away and walk toward my regular table .   Jake is already there, hunched over his sandwich.
    “Hey , Jake.” I flash my friend a smile and plop down onto the bench beside him.
    He nods his head , unable to speak around the giant mouthful of food. Jake always eats like he thinks his food might run away if he doesn’t get it down fast enough. His chin length hair bobs around his face , and he’s wearing his regular wrinkled t-shirt and faded jeans.
    I drop my backpack on the floor by the toe of my black boot, and the hair on the back of my neck prickles. She’s still staring. I can feel it. When I glance up, my suspicions are confirmed. Her red hair shimmers down her back, her pale cheeks redden , and her pink lips smooth out into a soft smile. My heart picks up speed. Most guys would give their right arm to have Delaney look at them with that vulnerable, open expression. But I’m not most guys. Without smiling ba ck, I turn my attention to Jake who is already finished with his lunch.
    “ Wanna hang out at the pool hall this afternoon?” Jake asks.
    I shake my head. “Nah, I can’t. Gotta work.”
    “Seriously? ” Jake tucks a strand of greasy hair behind his ears. “Your dad can’ t let you off for one afternoon? ”
    I chuckle bitterly. “The old man isn’t into doing me any favors.”
    “But I am.” Bree slides in beside me, flashing a wink and seductive grin. Her sweet scent washes over me. She leans in close, her long blond e hair brushing against my shoulder. “Into giving you favors,