“I owe you,” she says in relief, and I straighten.
“Careful who you give favors to.” I begin to walk, and she falls in step beside me.
“What do you mean?”
The first bell rings, letting us know we’ve got ten minutes to make it to class. As we talk, I notice her dark hair is up in a bun today, and some of it has come loose around the nape of her neck. It looks so soft, and my fingers twitch to touch it.
“I think owing someone in Craven Cove might be the equivalent of making a deal with Rumpelstiltskin. One minute you’re telling someone you can spin gold, and the next you’re giving away your firstborn.” When I look over at her, I see she’s watching me with sharp focus. “Sorry, maybe that doesn’t make sense. I just mean that some people around here will take and take until there’s nothing left.”
She looks ahead as we walk, but I can tell she’s thinking this over.
“Okay, so maybe that’s not a great representation of the beautiful island of Craven Cove.” I spread my hands wide like a television gameshow host as we pass the cafeteria. “Allow me to regale you with today’s lunch menu.”
“You’re ridiculous.” Seeing her smile and shake her head makes me want to do it a million times more.
“Seriously, though, avoid the meatloaf.” I make a face, and she bites her lip like she’s trying to stop herself from laughing.
When was the last time I felt this good? I can’t remember, and I’m not sure I want to. After having Celeste run into me in the coffee shop, I was pissed, but one look in her beautiful dark eyes and I wanted to take back every bad thing that’s ever come out of my mouth. Something about her makes me feel protective of her and the space she occupies. Like maybe I can just follow her around all day and keep people from bumping into her. Or at least knock away a bucket of water here and there. Fuck, what is wrong with me?
“I think this is me.” She points to a door with the correct room number on it.
“Yeah.” I blink as she interrupts my thoughts. “So look out for Mr. Darth. I had him last year for calculus, and he’s a pain in the ass. He always calls on people in the back row, so sit toward the front. Oh, and he loves to give pop quizzes the day after you’ve finished covering a chapter.”
“That’s helpful advice.” She glances down at her schedule, and I look at the rest of her classes.
“Looks like we’ve got gym together during fourth period.” The corner of her mouth turns up in a cute grin. “Think you can find the rest of them?”
“Yeah, I think so.” Her smile falters, and I shake my head.
“I’ll meet you here after class and show you where your next one is.” I give her my best cocky grin as I tuck my thumbs in the straps of my backpack. I start to walk backward because I just want to watch her a little longer.
“Hey, you didn’t tell me your name.”
“Apollo.” When I wink at her, she turns around, but I don’t miss the flush in her cheeks. Goddamn, she’s cute when she blushes.
The second bell goes off, and I curse because now I need to haul ass. Despite what I told her, my first period is on the other side of campus. I wasn’t about to pass up a chance to spend more time with her, and it was the right decision. I had to pull out of Emerson what her freaking name was yesterday when I couldn’t find her.
I’m happy I get to see her again so soon, but especially happy we’ve got gym together for the last period of the day. I wonder if she drove to school or if she needs a ride. I can’t explain this nagging feeling I’ve got to look out for her, but all I want to do is be by her side.
It’s probably because she had a tough first day, and not because I’m completely in love with her. Right?
Chapter Five
Celeste
I toss my half-eaten sandwich into the trashcan as I exit the library. I love my mom, but she can’t cook to save her life. I mean, how does someone even begin to mess up making a sandwich? It’s not even technically cooking. I can’t help but laugh it off. I suppose she can’t be brilliant at everything she does.
I pull my schedule out and check where my next class is. I swear this school can be a maze. I've been lucky so far today, and no one has said anything about what happened yesterday. Except for Apollo, but I'm pretty sure Emerson told me his name was Crew.
Not wanting to test my luck, I avoided the cafeteria today just in case. I didn’t want someone to bring it up, or worse, do something to embarrass myself yet again. After my first class was finished, Apollo was waiting outside to show me to my next class. He told me he’d be in the cafeteria after that, but I wasn’t sure if that was an invitation or not. Instead of intruding on this lunch group, I hid out in the library. I didn’t want to assume I could sit with him if he was only being nice.
“Celeste?” I turn when someone calls my name, and I see a younger guy staring at me. He has to be a freshman since he still has a baby face with full cheeks. He’s got a school shirt on with the eagle logo and the word rowing across his chest.
“That’s me.”
“Score.” He smiles, pulls out his phone, and begins to text.
“Did you need something?” I ask, and he shakes his head.
“Nah, I found you first. Thanks,” he says before he turns and leaves.
What the heck was that?
“Okay then,” I say to myself as I make my way toward my next class. I actually find it on my own this time and feel a little spark of pride.
“Celeste!” Someone shouts my name again before I enter the classroom, only this time I don’t have to turn around to know who it is. I’d recognize Apollo’s deep voice anywhere.
“Hey.” I step back out of the doorway, not wanting to block anyone from coming or going.
“You didn’t come to lunch.” He makes it sound like an accusation.
“I packed my lunch today.”
“You could still eat it in the cafeteria.” He smirks, stepping closer to me. “I wanted to give you something. I forgot earlier.” He lifts his hand, revealing the glasses I lost yesterday, and I gasp.
“You found them.” I try to take them from his hand, but he pulls them back.
“I want a trade.” That cocky smirk on his lips grows bigger, and I see a dimple form in his cheek.
Oh great. He keeps getting hotter by the second. I’m sure he’s Mr. Popular around here because he’s the finest senior I’ve seen. I should keep my ears open and listen for any gossip about him. Then maybe I can squash this building crush, because Apollo has heartbreak written all over his handsome face.
“What do you want?” I nervously bite my lip, and his eyes lock on my mouth.
“Your number. That way I can text you when I can’t find you and not have the freshman rowing team searching for you.”
“Wait, what? Why would you do that?” Well, that explains the guy from earlier. Apollo doesn’t answer me but pulls his phone out and waits for me to give him my number. Did he really want to track me down that bad to give me my glasses?
“What will you give me if I give you her number?” Emerson comes out of nowhere and drapes an arm around my shoulder.