Chomp

Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15: 

Rayna disappeared Thursday morning to god-knows-where, leaving me to continue to sulk for the rest of the morning. She wasn't at school either but texted me that Celtic had come to get her some time in the middle of the night. I was still trying to figure out how she'd gotten my number. There was a sneaking suspicion that she'd maybe gone through it while I was asleep since I didn't have a password. I really should have made one by now.

Cole and I sat in the cafeteria Friday with Wendy as usual. They were talking about some party coming up at Jacey's for All Hallow's Eve, and me just pushing around the questionable clump of meat and chease on my plate. My mind was elsewhere- namely a specific little brunette with sharp teeth and chocolate eyes. I still had a bandage on my hand from the bite to keep it from getting infected. It was healing faster than the first bite though the holes had seemed shallower in comparison to the ones on my neck. 

"What about you, Leo?" Wendy asked looking at me expectantly through blue bangs. 

"Huh?" I asked looking between them. Cole rolled his eyes.

"So are you gonna take Ray to the dance or not?" He always was straight to the point.  

"Why would I do that?" I asked furrowing my brows. He of all people knew that I wasn't a dance type of guy. The gym was hot, teenagers were sweaty creatures, and I refused to pay money to come back to a facility free to enter on any other weekday. 

"Please tell me you're joking," Wendy grimaced. I just stared at her. "Wow. I thought . . . I mean . . . Doesn't Rayna want to go?" It took me a moment to calculate the implications. I had almost forgotten about the rumors. 

"We're not a thing," I said flattly.

"So you won't mind me asking her out then?" Cole grinned, his eyes catching on something. Or someone, I should say. 

"Do what now?" I demanded following his gaze. 

Ray wore a long flowing orange skirt with flipflops and a loose top the color of red earth. Her hair was braided in two and my automatic thought was Woodstock.  She looked like a hippie, even limping with her crutches, all of her weight relying on her good leg. In point one seconds flat she spotted us at the center of the cafeteria, a smile dimpling her cheeks. There were people staring but she just threw them her charming smile and batted her thick lashes whenever someone offered to help her. 

Cole was alreay out of his seat and striding towards Ray, a confident air surrounding him. A deep frown pulled at my mouth as I began to stab at the clump of mystery meat and supposed cheese topping. Wendy gave me a concerned look and then turned to watch as Cole and Ray exchanged greetings. He reminded me of Theo with his relaxed body language and brilliant sweet talk. I wasn't exactly sure whether or not Ray was immune to flirtation by mortal men, but by the way she was looking at him . . .

"Hey, guys," Ray chirped taking a seat across from Cole which meant that she was sitting right next to me. Wendy gave a short wave and an awkward smile. 

"Guess who's going to the Halloween dance with the baddest girl at Thorn High?" Cole whooped as though his team had just won the Superbowl. I had to bite my tongue to keep from saying anything stupid. I am not jealous. I just didn't trust Ray enough to be left alone with Cole. Or maybe it's the other way around. 

"I'm flattered, but I doubt I'm in the list of top ten," Ray chuckled lightly. 

"Are you serious?" Wendy laughed. "You're like super fucking gorgeous. Isn't she gorgeous, Leo?" I didn't bother looking up from my tray. 

"Yeah, sure." I mumbled standing up with my tray to toss it. 

I didn't join the group for the remainder of lunch, instead deciding to hide out in the library and begin the English project due next Friday.