Free Chaos Theory by M Evonne Dobson Page A

Gavin’s kid-voice changed to one you want to ooze into like a chocolate pudding bath.
    Regret works its way past my guilt. “No. I’m just upset. We never fight. Well, we did in elementary school over a boy we both liked, but not for years. Don’t go away on my account.” I lean against my locker. He’s so close, and it’s nice looking up at him. Both Gavin and Daniel are taller than me. And doesn’t that almost take me on another trip down blue-eye memory lane. I shake it off, and concentrate on the hottie in front of me.
    I ask, “Good basketball game Friday night?”
    â€œNah, we lost, but Sally dumped root beer all over Jimmy.” Emerald Green Eyes says it like it’s a joke, but his body’s tight, maybe a bit angry. “Jimmy makes a move on her, which we all know she wouldn’t mind, but she’s in the middle of that long trumpet solo? Jimmy puts his hands around her shoulders or means to.” Gavin shakes his head. “He’s such a dimwit klutz. Instead he wraps them around her neck. Sally panics and her elbow hits Aiden’s giant Sip N Go mug behind her. It comes apart, splattering down on her, Jimmy, and everyone else.”
    Wish I’d been there and not at the hospital. “What a riot. What did Mr. Duncan do to 3J?” It’s odd that Gavin calls his BFF Jimmy, not 3J. He’s never made the switch to the middle school nickname everyone else uses.
    â€œMr. Duncan kicked Jimmy out of band for two weeks.”
    â€œ3J’s lucky.” He plays tuba. “We can’t be without a full oompa-pa contingency.”
    â€œI don’t want to talk about Jimmy.” Emerald Green Eyes smiles a long and slow grin like Robert Pattinson. Seriously, does he practice it? He readjusts his body against Sandy’s locker and leans in closer. Where Daniel is Irish Spring and pine forest, Gavin is leather and suede. “So Friday night, I get the nerve to ask you out and you’re a no show. Want to tell me about that?”
    â€œSomething came up.” And isn’t that a weak and stupid answer. At least, he hasn’t heard about my ER visit.
    â€œListen, Kami…” Gavin says it like it’s important.
    The number of students in the hall doubles, so does the noise level. Hall break is in high swing. My lab book is still in the locker—and standing next to it is Emerald Green Eyes. Priorities are priorities. I lean in to hear him better. Gavin’s breath smells like Juicy Fruit gum, but he isn’t chewing any right now.
    Technically, his eyes, perfectly framed by long, dark lashes, are sRGB 34-139-34. I know this because I had researched them for an hour over holiday break. They’re the shiny clear richness of brilliant emeralds mixed with flecks from a quiet Caribbean Island’s water. After barfing from my lovesick nonsense, I’d shoved the crazy notes about his eyes into my locker. Its corresponding control marble—a solid emerald green—has never been seen again.
    He says, “You’ll be going to Fort Carroll for the BB game Friday, right?”
    He looks over my shoulder. I turn to look too. 3J and Sally are coming down the hall.
    â€œYes. Miss another and Mr. Duncan will kick me out of band.”
    â€œSit with me on the bus. Let’s make a night of it. Just you and me.”
    I stop breathing, so when I start again it sucks in loud. I quip, “And the entire pep band.”
    Gavin raises his right eyebrow and the corner of his mouth, nonverbally saying, Seriously? That’s how you want to handle this? Sandy bashing my head alert! Emerald Green Eyes makes his move and I crack a stinking ha-ha joke. Correct course. “That’d be nice.”
    â€œGood.” With a glance at 3J, Gavin moves his head in closer.
    Oh God. He’s coming in for a kiss.

Nine
    I flirt with him since Thanksgiving and nada. Now? If I raise my head, tilt it, and…Well,