You Again

Alec's First Day (Part 2)

Stella

"Hey! Alec, right? Here, you can cut in front of me," a redhead named Abby says to Alec as we walk by the line. She puts her hand on his bicep, pretending to be surprised by the muscle. I feel my cheeks heat up.

I bite my lip, hard, trying not to scowl at her and her freckles.

"No thanks, dear, I've packed lunch," he informs her with his usual cheery smile. Abby smiles even wider, probably entranced by Alec's smile and the fact he called her dear. I roll my eyes.

"Here's a shocker," I mumbled under my breath spitefully.

"What'd you say?" Alec says, looking at me.

"Nothing,"  I sigh, and steer him toward the table where the rest of my friends sit. Emma was already in line with Natalie. Ryder and Xavier are already sitting down, giving Alec an acknowledging nod while they look up from their food.

"I'm gonna go buy food now," I tell him, "be friendly."

"Of course I will," he promises, giving me one of his dimpled smirks that leave me breathless.

"Thanks," I get up and walk over to the line where Nat and Emma are.

"So, what sports are happening?" I hear Alec asks. Something in me flutters at the thought of him playing basketball, or soccer, or lacrosse.

As I'm walking to Nat and Emma, I feel a hand close around my wrist. I turn quickly, causing my untied hair to flutter around me.

Evan blinks, laughing at how my hair just slapped him in the face a moment before.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd think you hate me." He says, and lets go of my wrist. I break into a huge grin.

"I'm sorry, I really should take control of my hair," I say, smiling and embarrassed at the same time.

"That's fine, I like the color. Is it natural?" He asks, touching a small portion of it. I shake my head a little.

"I wish," I admit, and point at my roots. "I haven't dyed it in a long time."

"Well, I think you'd look great no matter what color your hair is," he compliments, and I blush.

"I think your hair is great," I blurt, staring at his dark brown hair. His sea green eyes crinkle at the edge as he laughs.

"You're cute," he says between chuckles. I just shrug my shoulder.

After getting the food, I'm pulling out my wallet, but Evan puts his hand over mine. Immediately, a flush colors my cheeks, my heart races, and the room feels like its spinning as this boy's touch sends electric current up my arm. "I'll pay," he tells me.

"Thanks," I manage to whisper.

"No problem," he replies. "I'll see you around." He gives me one last smile, showing his pearly whites.

I stand there for a second, knees weak, and then rush to the table, cheeks flushed, legs like Jell-O. Evan and Alec are so confusing. One boy has been melting me since the 8th grade, and the other, just a few weeks.

...

"I'm terrible at drawing," Alec says, laughing as he tries to draw a self portrait.

"You don't have to draw every detail," I try to explain.

"Draw how you see yourself," my art teacher, Ms. Manning says. She's middle aged, with a smile that makes you think she's 21. She's got a small waist, and rough hands.

"I'll show you an example," she says, flipping over my drawing pad, stealing my pencil.

"Hey!" I joke, earning a hand over my mouth, causing Alec to laugh at me.