Free A Four Letter Word by Michelle Lee Page B

vibrant eyes mirror—concern?
    "Um, I'm fine. Sorry."
    He leans over our table, his face coming closer to me. I hold my breath. He hands me my syllabus and leans in further. "You, know you don't have to keep saying that." His warm breath fans across my neck, tickling my ear.
    "Sor-I mean, okay."
    "Good. I'm Evan, by the way." His face pulls away, and a crooked smile draws the corner of his mouth up.
    "Zoey." I barely get my name passed the lump in my throat.
    What the hell is wrong with me?
    He quirks an eyebrow at me.
    " Zoey. I like it. Well, Zoey , it looks like you're stuck with me." My eyes widen.
    "Don't worry, I'm not a slacker. I won't let you do all the work." His smile grows, and it puts me at ease.
    I smile back. "Good. I would hate to be stuck with a slacker ."
    Or a jerk.
    Evan smiles and nods his head. He then turns his attention back to Mr. Williams who has started to go over the syllabus. I do the same, and I can't help but think that – just maybe – Erica might be wrong.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 7
    High School Sophomore Year/middle of second quarter…
     
    Apparently, Felicia Simpson got sick and threw up in the classroom—all over the classroom, actually. So, needless to say, the janitor is inside cleaning up the biohazard, while we wait in the hall. Mr. Williams isn't too pleased to say the least. Erica and Gabbie are talking about some new movie they are going to go see this weekend on their double date. I'm trying to pay attention, but I can't seem to. I am only feigning interest, nodding my head every so often and smiling, pretending to know what they are talking about.
    "So, what about you, Zoey. Do you want to come out with us?" Gabbie asks, her eyes showing nothing but mischief.
    "What?" I am paying attention now.              
    "I asked if you wanted to come to the movies with us. I'm sure we could set you up with somebody," Gabbie informs me.
    I give Erica my "What the fuck" look. She doesn't rescue me; instead, she smiles and stifles a giggle.
    "Um, no, I have to work on my English paper."
    "Oh, come on, it will be fun." She nudges my side.
    "No, thanks. Maybe some other time."
    Truth is, no one holds my interest, and the thought of going on a blind date scares the shit out of me. One time, in Michigan, my friend, Claire set me up on a blind date with one of her boyfriend's friends. She couldn't tell me much about him except he was a nice guy. The whole night I had to hear about his Star Wars obsession. He even tried to show me his light saber—an actual light saber used in the movie. Plus he had to use his inhaler about a half a dozen times. I was ready to kill Claire after that. So, I decided right then and there to never, ever go on a blind date again.
    "I'll hold you to it," Gabbie teases as the janitor finally says we can go back into the classroom.
    Erica smiles at me, and then her eyes look over my shoulder and her smile widens. Before I can turn to see what she is smiling at, an arm wraps around my shoulders from behind, and I feel hard muscles against my back.
    Evan.
    "Come on, partner," Evan's warm breath tickles my ear.
    My insides turn to mush as Evan pulls me into the classroom. I feel my lips curl up into a huge smile. Erica stares at me with a questioning look on her face. I smile wider. Erica and I have spent many nights talking about my crush on Evan. She seems to think I should act upon it, but I never, ever could. I know Evan just doesn't see me that way. As much as I want him to, I know he doesn't, even though moments like this give me hope. Evan stops dragging me, and we find our way to our seats while the rest of the students start to find theirs. I begin to take out my notebook and index cards, and when I look up, Evan is staring at me intently.
    "What?" All I can think is there is something gross stuck in my hair, or I have something smeared across my face.
    Erica would have told me, right? Shit!
    I immediately set my notebook and index