Eastwood Academy

Chapter 42: Cole

"Cole!" Jessica gasps, naked shock visible on her face. The boy that Jessica addressed is unfamiliar to me; I've never seen him before. If I had, I would remember because not only is he gorgeous, but he's very distinctive-looking.

Neither his clothes nor his features seem American. He's dressed better than all of us, with dark jeans and what can only be described as a posh black overcoat. His hair is cut shorter on the sides and the back and longer in the middle. It's shockingly light, such a pale blonde, and almost white in the bright overhead lights. He has fair skin and the most pale green eyes I've ever seen, and I'd guess he's an inch taller than River but leaner. He looks distinctly Nordic, like Thor's younger brother.

Jessica moves as if in a trance, starting to go to him and then stops herself short, her expression going from stunned to uncertain. "Um, hi, it's so great to see you again, Cole, oh, I'm Jessica, by the way, I mean, you probably remember, but in case you don't-" She's full-on rambling, something I've never seen Jessica do in all the time I've known her. I've also never seen her look at a guy the way she's looking at Cole now.

"I remember your name," Cole says to Jessica in what sounds like a British accent. "And I remember you." He punctuates his last word with a wink, and I swear every girl in the room visibly swoons, including Jessica. How unusual for her.

Feeling confused, I try to catch Jessica's eye, but all her attention is focused on Cole.

"Jessie, come on. Let's finish the game," Tyler says, and I swear there's a note of irritation in his voice. Jessica blinks and looks around as if she's forgotten she's in a room full of people.

"Oh, um—" She looks back at us and then at Cole, seemingly torn. Cole solves the problem by reaching out and taking Jessica's hand, pulling her to his side. I'm sure my eyes must be the size of saucers as she goes willingly, keeping her head down because, like me, Jessica can't stand to be the center of attention, and right now, she and Cole are attracting a lot of stares.

"Actually, mate, would you mind if I borrowed Jessie here for a little while?" Cole asks Tyler, emphasizing the nickname Tyler used as if to claim it for himself.

"We're kinda in the middle of something..." Tyler lets his sentence trail off, gesturing to the table before us with the remaining beer cups and ping pong ball.

I've never thought of Tyler as obtuse. In fact, he's always been the opposite, but for the first time, he seems to either not be reading the social cues in front of him or deliberately ignoring them. But I don't understand why. It's beyond obvious that Jessica doesn't want to keep playing beer pong. She wants to talk to Cole. So why isn't Tyler taking the hint and leaving them alone?

"I can sub for her," Marina offers, stepping up next to Tyler and wrapping her arm around his waist. He puts his arm over her shoulders, drawing her close, but his movements are robotic. It's like he's doing something he's done a thousand times on autopilot. Marina's actions are the opposite. She seems hyper aware of everything going on.

Her eyes dart back and forth between Cole, who now has his arm wrapped around a delighted Jessica, and Tyler, who is too busy seemingly sizing Cole up to notice that his girlfriend is scrutinizing him.

"Perfect, thanks, Marina," River speaks loudly enough to be heard over the music and to draw Tyler's attention. In the blink of an eye, he's back to his usual self, an easy grin spreading over his face. Leaning down, he plants a kiss on Marina's lips.

"Thanks, babe," he says, then looks at Cole and Jessica. You guys go on; we'll catch you later." Without waiting for a reply, Tyler turns back to us, grabs a ping-pong ball, and hands it to Marina.