Listening to Empty Spaces: A Lost and Found Novel

Chapter Three: Peddling Backwards with no Wheels

    Second day of school and I was still getting stared at. I'd hoped the weird "new girl" fascination would have died down by now. But now I heard whispers of Camden Cross and myself and that wasn't fair to him. Being linked to the quiet 'strange' new girl. I hadn't seen him today, and I was both elated and for some reason let down.
    No. No. Don't think about him as an attractive boy. Just think of him as the boy who helped you yesterday as a nice gesture. Then everything is put back into it's neat little box and I can breathe again.
    I feel a pencil tap my shoulder and I turn around, annoyance written all over my face. First thing I notice, a startling pair of bright green eyes. I take him in and the rest of him is just as impressive as his gorgeous eyes.
    I know thee teacher isn't looking at us, so I hiss, what.
"Just soaking it all in. You really are as pretty as Camden said."
"And just who are you?"
The teacher takes that moment to turn back around. And I quickly right myself in perfect position. The rest of class goes relatively well, save the fact I'm reading some books I'd already read. The minute the bell rings I'm outta my seat and making a beeline toward the door, only to get stopped by a large hand loosely holding my forearm.
"Hey we never finished our conversation." The handsome green eyed boy says, eyes twinkling. Oh I'm sure those twinkling eyes het him into all sorts of mischief with the girls on campus.
"I'm Braydon, but you can cell me Bray, everyone else does."
"Do you like that?" I ask.
"Like what?"
"People calling you Bray all the time."
"Actually not particularly. I've always just preferred Braydon."
I give him a half smile and nod resolutely. "Then I'll call you Braydon."
"No has ever asked me that question before."
I shake my head, "People can be idiots.  Whey call someone a name they dislike or a nickname in your case.  Of course, I'm just guessing here but You've probably never told them that you prefer Braydon to Bray, have you?"
   "Well, actually, no. I Don't think I ever have before."
   "Well people aren't mind readers, so speak up." This is hysterical coming from me; the girl who has never been able to speak her own mind.  And mother's constant reminder, Children should be seen and not heard.  I'd become so good at it that sometimes you could be in the same room as me and have no idea I was there.
"And you are?"
I hesitate for a minute, and after deciding he's harmless, just charming I stick out my hand. "Havenlee Winters nice to meet you."
   "I thought your last name was—"
   "Bursars office issues."
   "I think we've talked half of lunch away," Braydon says, but he doesn't seem all to disturbed by the fact.  "Come on, maybe we can get something in a hurry."  So with Braydon tugging at my hand that's how we enter the lunchroom.  Could I just crawl away and die right now. 
Braydon grabs a few things and I pick up a salad with no dressing.  Mother always says, I have to watch my figure, because as I grow so would my hips and thighs.  He drags me over to the table with a few guys and two girls.
   "Hey everyone, have you met Havenlee?  Havenlee this is everyone except Camden.  The guy over there with the blond hair and hazel eyes is Masters."
   "Masters," I say.
   "Like you have room to talk, Havenlee. "
   "Touché , Masters" And I see a gleam in his eye that I don't particularly trust.
   "And sitting next to Masters is Weston," Weston gives me a shy smile and slight wave, "then there's Camden and I."
   "We pretty much run the school." Master's says, as he pushes an errant piece of hair out of his face.
   "Oh my God, don't listen to him.  He's way to much of an egomaniac.  Hi, I'm Serena, and sometimes when these guys behave I'm their friend."
   I take her hand and shake it.
   "And at my side is Olivia.  She kinda moves from group to group.  Whichever way the wind is blowing, that's our Olivia."
   "I do not," Olivia says pouting.
   "You totally do," Braydon says, laughing.
   "Well I don't need to sit here and listen to you all mock me." Olivia says, getting up in a huff.  She walks over to Weston though and runs her hand down his arm.  "Party at Sheba's tonite.  You going?"
   Weston I realize is looking at me as he says, "Anyone can come?"
   "Everybody but those dweebs in the math club."
   "Okay we may make an appearance." And then he actively dismisses Olivia.  She flounces off and I blink.
   "This happen often?"
   "You mean girls throwing themselves at them, then yes.  I mean, come on, have you seen them."
   "Is that all we are to you, beefsteak?" Masters says with his hand over his heart.
   "Oh shut up.  You know what I mean.  You can't tell Havenlee you don't have a reputation."
   Master's shrugs, " I like girls, so what.  If they choose to throw themselves at me, then that is their choice."
   Serena rolls her eyes, "Lunch is done.  I'll walk Havenlee to her next class."
   "I'd...Uhmmm I'd like to do that if you don't mind Serena." Weston says and everyone's eyes open wide.  Serena nods her head.
   "Okay, yeah, sure."
   "You have composition and theory right now, right?" Weston says.  
   I nod.
   "I have that class with you."
   "I'm sorry, I didn't see you yesterday in class."
   "To be fair I sit in the back and you seemed pretty ready to get out of the class."
   "I just don't like to be put on the spot." I respond.
   "He does it with every student.  But you really impressed him, hell you impressed the entire class."
   I drop my head.  "No it's just a silly song I wrote in my bedroom."
   "And who's to say that that isn't where you'll write your best stuff ever?" Weston take my hand and then turns me so that I'm looking straight into his amazing hazel eyes. "Have some confidence in yourself, Havenlee."
I blush and then hate the fact that I'm blushing. I'm supposed to be able to control my emotions. "Let's just get to class before we're marked tardy."
Weston nods but give me a killer half smile. "But this isn't over yet Havenlee. Not by a long shot.  You were meant to play and sing."
   I shake my head. I was meant to be still and silent.