Unexpectedly

Chapter 2

At the least to say, Landon was very ... interesting. He had no friends and drove to school alone every morning. He was talented at volleyball, but refused to play on the school's team. Landon was weirdly capable of sticking out but at the same time laying low.

                Freshman year was when I first saw him. He had come in towards the middle of the year, and the teachers introduced him to us as Landon Winters. Either that or the boy who had come down from Canada.

                For the first week, Landon was the talk of the school. It was nearly impossible to not hear his name coming from some swooning girl's mouth. Granted, he was stunningly handsome. Even the guys saw him as good 'bro' material since Landon was already starting on the varsity volleyball team and the girls ran to him.

                But everyone quickly realized that there was a problem.

                Landon didn't talk.

                Obviously, Landon wasn't mute. He did speak. It was just obvious that he wanted to be left alone. At first, Landon tried to be a little polite and would answer questions but eventually he resorted to turning away and ignoring anyone who tried to approach him. The irony was, Landon didn't want to be popular but he was.

                So, halfway through the season Landon quit the volleyball team and slowly his name stopped showing up in conversations. The change was gradual but by the beginning of sophomore year, Landon had totally disappeared. Occasionally people would mention that they saw Landon outside alone, or noticed him out in town. He was 'freaky' and a 'loner' and a 'weirdo'.

                And now, he was my 'lab partner'. Clearly he wasn't the most ideal pick for a lab partner but then again, as the saying goes; you snooze you lose.

                Mr. Jefferson cleared his throat and I blushed brightly, realizing that I was still in the front of the room. He pointed to the only empty seat by Landon and shrugged his shoulder.

                "Bad day to be late to class, Miss Sharp!"

                Flashing him an apologetic smile, I quickly shuffled over to the large, black table and set my books down. Luckily, the lesson hadn't started yet as Mr. Jefferson had given us a few moments to 'get to know our partners'.

                I straightened out my outfit as I sat and looked over at Landon. He was crouched over the textbook and flipped through the pages. Boredom was etched all over his usually blank face. Clearly, he wasn't interested in 'getting to know me'.

                "Uhm... I'm Avery," I said quietly. All the other groups around the room were amiably chatting and I cursed Talia in my head. She just had to make me late to class.

                Landon looked up and I spotted a quick flash of emotion run through his hazel eyes. The moment was short-lived though as he turned back to the book.

                "Landon." His answer was short and prompt.

                "I know who you are," I answered, not realizing how weird it sounded until after it came out.

                Landon's hand froze over his paper and he turned towards me once again.  He gazed at me intently as if he was studying me - like I was the textbook under his hands. I stared back at him, parts confused and nervous at what was happening. 

                Suddenly, I found myself actually looking at Landon. His lips were very red and full, which complimented his smooth, tan skin. Up close, I saw a clutter of freckles are his straight nose and high cheekbones. That was when I realized something. Landon wasn't your classic definition of hot.