I Never Thought You'd Come Along

Part 4

*Alex's POV*

"Thank goodness she said yes! I don't know what I would have done if she'd totally dissed me!" I thought to myself after pulling out my pencil. "Why was she so cold to every one?"

After a few silent and awkward minutes, I decided I couldn't take the silence that was surrounding us any longer. So out of nowhere, I blurted out the first thing that came to my mind. "Do you like Dogs?!"  

Taylor's head shot up. Almost like I'd scared her. Wow, Alex! I thought to myself. Was that really the best you could come up with!?

*Taylor's POV*

Alex's sudden question started me. I had been so absorbed in my math, that I'd actually forgotten he was there!

"Ummm... Yes. I do like dogs. I love all types of animals!" I replied not looking up from my paper, "Do you have any pets?"

"No, we moved here from California. And our renter didn't allow pets. But now that we live out in the country we might get like a dog our something. My family's always enjoyed animals." I said. Glad that the tense silence was gone.  

"Really?!" I asked suddenly excited, "we're fostering a golden retriever puppy right now, and he needs a home!" I looked at Alex with hopeful shining eyes. My family didn't need another dog, but I knew that if Clark, as we called him, didn't find a home soon, we'd be so attached to him that we couldn't possibly let him go. "He's super sweet, playful, and smart! I bet you'd love him!"

*Alex's POV*

I sat there, stunned. Her sudden amount of talking startled me. I'd never heard her talk that much! She had a nice voice and she looked so beautiful. Her eyes were shining bright with hope, hope, directed straight at me. I couldn't speak. Her eyes lit up her face. Making her look amazing.  

"I-uh-I-um I can talk to my parent's about that! I've heard that golden retrievers are good dogs."

"They're great!" she replied eyes shining, a smile painted on her face. This was the first time I'd ever seen her smile. And let's just say her smile took my breath away.

*Taylor's POV*

Why was he staring at me like that? He looked like he'd just seen a beautiful work of art. My confusion must have shown on my face, because Alex suddenly looked away and blushed. Blushed!? Did I seriously just see the new kid blush?!  

Then it was my turn to blush. I quickly realized that I was staring at him just as intently as he was staring at me. I turned away, cheeks flaming.

"BRIINNNGGG!!!!"

"There's the bell!" I said hurriedly, packing up my stuff. "See ya later!" 

And with that I rushed out of the classroom. Thank goodness for the bell!!

~An hour or 2 later~

Lunch was pretty uneventful. As usual. That is until Jane slid into the seat next to me.

"Hey Taylor, what's up??"

I stared at her for a second, unsure of what to say. It had been a pretty long time since I'd talked to her. I hadn't talked to her since... I mentally shook my head. I can't think about her right now. 

"Um... There's not much going on. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, no particular reason. I just noticed you and the new kid, Alex, exchanging some blushes earlier."

"Oh. I see." So that's what this was about!

"I was just wondering if you liked him." She said, elbowing me slightly.

"No. I do not like him! I have only known him one day" I exclaimed. "Why in the world would I like him?!"

"Oh c'mon, Taylor! You gotta admit that he's hot!"

"I don't 'gotta' admit anything! You blush all the time anyway! Who are you to talk!?" For a split second I thought I saw a hurt look come across Jane's face. "I'm sorry, Jane. I shouldn't have snapped at you. I gotta go. So talk to you later." And with that I got up and left.

I did not like Alex Hoffman. Nor would I ever! I wasn't gonna get close to anyone again! Except for my animals and my family! That was my promise! After we got his family to take Clark, I would ignore him. Sigh... Oh, how I wished... No. Don't think about that now. Think about that later...