Statera - The Balanced One

Chapter Two

Three Months Later – Tandem, Oklahoma:

Confidence? That's the last thing I felt. My life resembled a tornado—a turbulent cyclone made for disaster. This would be no different. My wandering gaze fell on Mom's amused face—not Mom, Aunt Di. I'd yet to come to terms with the murder of my parents, and if it weren't for her—I didn't want to think about it.

"Why can't I home-school, Di?"

Despite my best efforts, I sounded ungrateful.

"Zora, I know this isn't what you want, but given your emotional state—it's exactly what you need," Di lectured. "I remember my first few weeks at a new school, and I understand your anxiety, but complaining won't change anything."

I sulked, making my disappointment apparent.

"You'll do fine; just relax, Zora. They're going to love you—I promise. People will gravitate to you just like they did with your mama."

Mentioning Mom seemed to make her sad, but she didn't linger on it.

"With your Dad's native heritage and our strong Celtic lineage, giving up isn't in your blood. So you'd better get going before you're late."

Di cranked up the AC when I didn't budge, effectively freezing me out. I hated being cold, and she knew it.

"Okay, Di, I'm going. You'll be here before the bell rings, right?"

She laughed as I slid off the bench seat.

"No, why would I do that!"

Slamming the rust-edged door, I headed toward the school. I didn't think Di's sarcasm was funny.

My pulse bounced around in my ears as I glanced up at Tandem High's main building. My lungs burned, and I realized I was holding my breath. I let the breath go and thanked God that Di didn't walk me to the door. As I took in the campus, a weird sensation—almost like I was being watched, settled over me. Scanning my surroundings, I saw no one suspicious. Not a single soul noticed, let alone acknowledged my arrival.

"It's just first-day jitters," I told myself.

No matter how much I tried to convince myself of that, the feeling continued, leaving me tense.

Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to move. But I didn't go far before nerves had me motionless with anxiety again.

"You look lost. Where ya headed?"

His voice startled me, and I realized I'd stopped in the doorway. He was wearing the kind of grin that came just before keeling over with laughter.

Awkwardly, "Ummm..." tumbled from my lips, and he smiled. I'd be lying if I said stuttering in front of someone I was instantly attracted to wasn't embarrassing.

"I'm new this year," I said, humiliating myself.

Anyone walking by would know I was new because everybody knew everyone in a small town like this one, and no one knew me. He hiked a brow, and it dawned on me that he was waiting for me to continue.

"I'm looking for the office?" I stammered out.

"I can show you; it is on the way to the cafeteria.

As I followed him, he asked, "What's your name?"

"I'm Zora."

He chuckled, and I immediately criticized my heart for flipping over the sound.

I knew nothing about him except that his teeth were almost perfect.

A first name would be nice, so I asked, "And what's your name?"

"Keitan, but everyone calls me Kei."

He looked down at me, grinning, and my heart did another backflip. That smile is gonna get me in trouble.

Interrupting my thoughts, he announced, "Well, here we are. Have you had breakfast yet? If not, I can walk you to the cafeteria."

"No, but let me get my schedule first. Who knows? Maybe we share some classes."

The blush scoring his cheeks made his charcoal grey eyes seem that much brighter. I hoped the instant attraction I felt was mutual. As I stepped into the office, the scent of wildflowers overwhelmed my senses and the source—a petite lady sitting behind the front desk. If there was a shred of Hollywood mentality to be found in Oklahoma, she possessed it. Not a hair was out of place, and her makeup was meticulously applied as perfectly manicured nails raced over a keyboard.

"Excuse me," I said, "I'm here to pick up my schedule."

"What's your name, hon?" she replied.

"Zora Furr."

"Oh, you're Diana's niece. Wow, you look like your mama and auntie, except for the hair."

I'd caught the underlying venom in her voice but was too distracted by her accent to care. There was nothing Hollywood about her thick southern drawl. She looked like she'd stepped off a movie set but didn't sound like it.

"Well, here's your class schedule, have a good day."

I could tell she wasn't sincere by the note of sarcasm her voice carried.

"Thanks," I said, looking down at the nameplate on her desk, "Mrs. Harris."

I left the office, wondering what her problem was. As I scanned my schedule, Keitan snatched it out of my hands.

"It's not like I was reading that or anything!" I announced indignantly.

He just dismissed me with a wave and got halfway into turning around before suddenly stopping.

"So who do you have?" he said quickly, followed by a surprised, "OH!"

"What?" I said as I stood there, wondering what put that particular look on his face. It was something between disappointment and amusement.

"You're a junior," He said with a smirk.

"Is that a problem, Keitan?"

I tried to keep the rejection I felt out of my voice.

"Nope, it's not like that, Zora. I just assumed you were a senior like me. So, how about breakfast?"

"Sounds good to me," I said, relieved.

I'm not boy-crazy, but there was something about Keitan. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. The only problem was I couldn't help the ridiculous attraction I already had toward him. Judging from the other girls' lingering looks, I wasn't the only one suffering from that ailment. It wasn't like he would be seriously interested in me—not with so much female attention pouring in. I chalked it up to being the new girl. His curiosity would wear off in a day or two. Besides, lord knew the last thing I wanted to do was freak him out with my—unique lineage.