Solo

Chapter Four: Flutters

"Good morning, Mom!"

"Good morning?" my suspicious mom replied. "Who are you, and what have you done with my daughter?"

I sat at the table reaching for toast and homemade strawberry jam. "Oh, come on, Mom, the sun is out and the sky is clear. I have a great feeling about today."

"Could this have anything to do with the young man who dropped you off last night?"

"Can't a girl just have a good morning?"

"Sure, but it's just never you."

"There's a first time for everything." I wiggled my eyebrows at Mom. "Do you know where I put my iPod?"

"I don't remember seeing it when you got home."

"Oh, no!" I jumped up and ran to check my hoodie pockets. "Please be here! Please be here!" I repeated the words as if saying them would miraculously make my iPod appear. No luck. The pockets were empty. I knew where the iPod was; in the cab of Lucas Andrews' truck. I hope he doesn't think I left it there on purpose.

When I pulled into the parking lot at school, I started searching for the F-150. There it was, in the same spot as the day before. I thought I caught a glimpse of Lucas walking toward the building.

"Lucas!" I yelled, jumping from my VW.

He didn't hear me. When I walked into the building, he was no where in sight. Casey, on the other hand, was bouncing down the hallway.

"Hey, Eliana," she chirped. "How are you doing this morning?"

"Um, I'm actually doing great. I don't feel so new today."

"Well, that's a good thing, right?" Casey's smile was infectious.

The morning seemed to go okay. Sasha actually ignored me during Chemistry; making it easy for me to pay attention to the teacher. I hoped this would become the norm. I guess Sasha realized I wasn't worth her time or effort since she couldn't get a reaction from me. One thing was for sure, I wouldn't stray from my plan. No matter what Sasha tried, I would avoid her at all costs.

At lunch I sat at a table in the courtyard with Casey and the rest of the group. Although the sun was still glowing, there was an occasional bone chilling breeze. Lucas kept popping into my head. I looked for him around the courtyard, but he wasn't there. I tried to ignore Sasha while Emily and Jack joked with me. I noticed Evan gawking at me. The guy was starting to seriously give me the creeps.

On my way to gym, I realized I still hadn't seen Lucas and wondered if he was still at school. I selected a locker in the locker room. "Good idea." Casey joked.

"Thanks," I said while securing my old combination lock. "No repeats of disappearing clothes."

I figured we would have our softball lesson today, but it turned out to be another free day. Of course, I chose to run laps and asked Casey to come along. While we ran, I notice Sasha and her friends working on some kind of dance routine.

"So, is Sasha the dance team captain?" I asked.

"No, we don't have a dance team. They're on the cheer squad. The blonde girl, Rachel, standing next to her, is the captain. Sasha's actually the co-captain this year."

"Wow, she must be really good," I said, not really meaning it.

"Well, Sasha and a few of the other girls plan to perform at the talent show this year."

"Are you dancing with them?"

"Ha-no, I like to dance, but not on stage. How about you, do you dance?"