Elle still felt like eyes were watching her. She looked around the room again; she couldn’t find anyone sticking out, though. It wasn’t like she was a particular point of interest, especially when Mr. Evans had laid out a strict no-bullying policy in his classroom.
Elle heard the bell ring and looked at the clock.
Gosh, next class already?
She and Chloe packed up their things and started heading for the door.
“Elle, can I speak to you for a second?”
Elle looked at Chloe and hoped she understood to stay put.
She walked over to Mr. Evans’ desk. “Yes?”
“You don’t strike me as the type to fail at turning in assignments.”
“I think I caught a stomach bug last night. I actually did the first half of the assignment before work, and by the time I got home, I was too sick to finish. I apologize.” Elle hoped he believed her. It was honestly the truth, minus the bloody details.
“That’s okay. I wasn’t actually going to grade them. It was just meant to see where each student actually stood in English. I will take it that you are at least average, since you hope to write as a profession.” By his statement, Elle could tell he believed she was telling the truth. He was too good at sifting through truths and lies.
Well, ninety-nine percent of teenagers do lie about why they don’t have their homework.
“Thank you, Mr. Evans. I appreciate it.” Elle thought he really was a nice guy. No teacher had done what he had done for her and Chloe.
At the thought of Chloe, Elle looked back to see if she was there. She wasn’t. Dang, why would she do that?
It was time for Elle to leave. She headed for the door.
“Don’t let it happen again, Elle.” Elle didn’t care about his parting words. She went out the door and went straight for Pre-Cal.
Her butt better have made it to class.
Rushing too fast, Elle felt someone run into her. She had been so worried about Chloe she had forgotten to check who was in the hall to ruin her day.
As Elle felt arms around her waist, steadying her, she had to look up to see who was about to blame her for hitting them. Nero. Great, of all people.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean—”
“Why are you apologizing?” Not once had he ever acknowledged her for her whole high school career, let alone spoken a word to her. What’s more, right then his arms were still holding her waist. She also realized, up close, his voice was deep. She didn’t like being this close to him; she tried to back up, but he wouldn’t let her go.
“Tell me why you apologized, and I’ll let you go.”
She looked up at him, afraid he might hurt her at first, but his face showed no maliciousness. He merely looked genuinely curious. She really didn’t know what to say; partly because she didn’t know why she had apologized, and the other part of her was thrown off at his handsome face and deep voice.
“I-I don’t know why I said sorry. It was instinct, I guess.” She spoke to his chest; she couldn’t look at him this close and speak directly to him.
She felt his arms drop after a few seconds and swore that, before he let her go, his hands made a bigger, deeper impression. She looked up at him again. He had really green eyes. She had never seen natural green eyes before.
“Do me a favor and don’t apologize to anyone who doesn’t deserve an apology. Got it?” He demanded an answer from her.
She didn’t like demands. “Don’t I deserve an apology, then?”
Nero smiled and took a step toward her. “I’m not sorry.”
Elle stared at Nero.
Is this real?
She hadn’t realized the bell had gone off and no one was roaming the halls. By the time she did, she began to feel uncomfortable. She didn’t like the way Nero was making her feel.
“I better get to class.” Elle needed to make sure Chloe had made it there okay.
She walked away quickly, far too uncomfortable. Moreover, she felt Nero watching her, making her even more self-conscious.
“Watch where you’re walking next time.” She didn’t have to turn around to see he was smiling.
She reached Pre-Cal and was relieved to find Chloe. She is not going to believe that Nero freaking Caruso talked to me.
Chapter Five
Don’t Lie to Me
Elle decided to wait until lunch to tell Chloe what had occurred in the halls since anyone could listen in on them in the classroom. Plus, they would have something to talk about over lunch.
Elle found that, without Cassandra, no one paid any attention to them. It was like they were invisible. Some might think nothing could be worse than being invisible, but Elle and Chloe certainly liked being un-noticed. It was like they were on vacation. Hell, Elle would give anything to be Casper the friendly ghost and trade in her being-bullied days. Anyone who had never been bullied could never understand what she and Chloe went through five days a week.
Before Elle knew it, it was five minutes until lunch. She hadn’t even thought about the murder once since the hallway break when Nero had run into her. She wondered what that meant, but then quickly pushed it out of her mind.
I should be in an asylum, yet I have never been happier. She thanked God for whatever the reason Cassandra not being there was.
The lunch bell rang and Elle and Chloe headed for the door. When they reached the hallway, Chloe spoke.
“This is the best day of my life!” For the first time in years, Elle saw Chloe smile at school, not to mention in the hallway.