I was in Math. The teacher was rambling on and on about something to do with numbers. My head would have connected with the wooden desk if there hadn’t been a sharp rap at the classroom door. The door opened and who should walk in but Drew himself.
There was a collective intake of breath from the girls who immediately sat up a little straighter. I rolled my eyes, feeling a sharp pang of jealousy and maybe a little pride. He talked to the teacher for a second and she nodded, a little dazed herself.
His eyes searched the room until they landed on me. I gazed back, my eyes questioning. He just shrugged, gave me a cute lop-sided smile and jerked his head towards the door. I could feel the laser sharp gazes of all the girls as I made my slow walk all the way from the back of the now dead quiet class.
I shot an apologetic smile at the teacher and stepped out into the hall. He was wearing a grey blazer, a t-shirt with the Superman logo on it underneath and dark jeans. Have I ever mentioned that I find guys in blazers hot? Okay, maybe some guys. No, actually, just Drew.
“What?” I crossed my arms and tapped my foot on the shiny linoleum floor. He did that little hair flip thingy.
“You’re needed back at the shop,”
My mouth dropped open of its own accord. “Now? I’m in school for goodness sakes!” I threw my arms up in the air. Then something hit me.
“Wait, aren’t you supposed to be in school or something?”
“Yeah, but I skipped,” He replied, with a smug smile.
“Why?”
“I thought I told you, we’re needed back at the shop,” I opened my mouth but he interrupted.
“Before you ask, Isaac is visiting his grandma, Crystal and Keri both called in sick so it’s down to us,”
I narrowed my eyes. “And you’re willing to skip school to go to work?”
“Well, yeah,” He rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. Though about what, I have yet to figure out. Probably under the weight of my penetrating gaze.
“Can we not talk about this? We have to be there now,” He said, frustrated.
“Can’t you go yourself? I’m pretty sure you can handle it,”
“But I need two people. One to handle the cash register and one for customers,”
“Fine, I give up, I’ll go,” I gave in, my will to stay in school weakening.
“And don’t be a moper either. I don’t want a moper in the car,” I gave him a huge, sarcastic grin and he laughed.
“Besides, you didn’t seem like you were enjoying that Math lesson anyway,”
I brightened instantly, realizing what this meant.
“Woo! Let’s do this thing!” I whooped, practically flying to the car. It wasn’t until I got to the parking lot when I realized I didn’t even know which was his.
“This one. And don’t you dare laugh,” I did anyway. Because before me, was a tiny hot pink Volkswagen Beetle.
“How – is this – your car?” I managed to get out between gasps of laughter.
“Haha laugh it up. It’s my sister’s,” He chided me, even though he was holding in a chuckle as well.
“Aww, it’s cute that you drive your sister’s car,” I reached up to ruffle his hair. Damn, that’s soft.
“Whatever, just get in the car. Come on, chop chop,”
“Yeah, yeah I’m coming,” I grumbled as I opened the door to the most feminine colored car in the whole parking lot.
We sped along the roads, an alternative rock station playing in the background. The driver’s window was open and his elbow leaned on the sill, the wind blowing his hair. The scene was so picture perfect, I swear I wanted to get my camera out.
“Why did you dye your hair?” I asked out of the blue.
“I don’t know actually. To be different I guess,” He shrugged.
“I think it would look nicer natural,”
He looked at me. “You know what? Since I’m beginning to trust your sense of style, I might just take you up on that. It’s starting to grow out anyway,”
“See? You’re finally starting to see the light,” I grinned and bumped his shoulder. “How’d you manage to get the teacher to let me go anyway?”
“Oh, just my charms and good looks and all that,”
I smirked. “No doubt,”
We spent the rest of the journey in comfortable silence, like we’ve been doing it forever. When we finally got to the store we changed our clothes and started work like usual, with nothing out of the ordinary happening.
We had to work late today, something to do with taking stock of the newest shipment. By the time we finished, it was already dark out. I went to the back room to change but found it locked.
“Ugh, great. Just great,” I sighed in frustration.
Now I would have to change in the store itself. I made my way back to the front to find Drew already changing, his shirt halfway off. I caught a glimpse of a six-pack and smooth tanned skin that made my heart start beating erratically before I slapped a hand over my eyes and said dramatically, “My eyes! They burn!”
“Why? See something interesting? Or are your eyes burning from the heat?” He smirked.
“No,” I said evenly. I was always good at hiding emotions. But my flaming cheeks betrayed me. Traitors.
“Just turn around,”
“Why - ,” He started to ask but realization crossed his face. “Isaac?” He smirked knowingly.
“Yeah, the stupid guy locked the stupid door,” I pouted and he turned around to pull the blinds down, giving me some privacy, thank goodness.
I quickly tugged the shirt off and put my own shirt on. Elevator Music had a rule, you leave your employee t-shirts on a hook in the store every time you leave. Something about past experiences with forgetful staff. Mine has my name printed across the back. I liked it. It made me feel like I was part of a team.
“Okay, you can turn now,” He had his elbows sticking out at both sides, his hands covering his eyes. I laughed softly at how ridiculously adorable it made him look. I didn’t realize I was staring at him until I felt him less than a foot away from me.
I looked straight into his eyes and my stomach did that weird floppy thing that I was getting pretty used to whenever I was around him. But something was off; there was something wrong in his eyes. He was leaning closer, closer until I could feel his breath blowing across my eyelashes.
Only an inch away…and he reached out and flicked a piece of lint off my shoulder. I let out a big breath I didn’t know I was holding.
“You had some dust on there,” His voice sounded thick, and he cleared his throat. Is it just me or do his eyes look kind of sad? Maybe it’s just me, I only see what I want to see.
