Mated

Chapter 4

As soon as I pulled into the school parking lot, my eyes immediately began to look for my blue-eyed nightmare. That's right, nightmare. Those eyes of his seemed to haunt me in my dreams and make me long for the real thing.

I noticed his parking space was empty with a frown. I guess he wasn't coming to school today.The amount of disappointment that ran through me at the thought was surprising. I guess I've gotten used to his company. Rebecca was still avoiding me so I was probably going to be alone today.

I struggled through my morning classes, bored to tears. I was overly relieved when the lunch bell rang but I was quickly reminded that I'd be sitting by myself today. I made my way to the cafeteria at a leisurely pace. On arrival, I went right to my table by the window and decided to catch up on some work. I heard the chair across from me shift and a body settle in but I didn't pay any attention to it. I did look up when I heard someone clear their throat. My eyes found a boy with blond hair and eyes that appeared to shine with laughter. He had a crooked grin on his pink lips. I studied his chiseled features carefully. His grin grew once I met his eyes again.

"Hi, I'm Tyler." His voice was kind of soft, as if not to frighten me.

"Willamina." I responded quietly.

"That's a beautiful name." He murmured.

"Thanks." I, of course, blushed and looked away.

"I just moved here. Today's my first day." He continued confidently.

"Oh. Welcome to Rosemary High School."

"Thanks" He said with another grin.

I wasn't quite sure what to say after that. I'd never been to good at starting a conversation. I was always to shy. Luckily for me, Rebecca came over.

"Can I sit here?" She asked hesitantly.

"Of course."

We sit in an uncomfortable silence before I remember to introduce Rebecca and Tyler.

"Tyler, this is my friend Rebecca. Rebecca, this is Tyler. Today is his first day." I said while motioning between the two.

There was another awkward silence after I introduced Rebecca and Tyler. It went on for a few minutes before Tyler excused himself to get food. Rebecca and I both sat quietly, almost afraid to bring up what needed to be said. After a few more minutes, I took a deep breath and decided to get this over with. Tyler would be back soon.

"Um, Becca?"

She looked at me nervously.

"Yeah Willie?"

I didn't answer right away because I didn't think of what to say after 'Um, Becca'.

"Did I do something?"

"No." She said.

"Are you mad at me?"

She shook her head fiercely. "Of course not."

"Than why are you avoiding me?"

"I'm not avoiding you Willie!" She protested.

I raised an eyebrow.

"Ok," She sighed. "I was avoiding you. But I had to."

"Why?" I asked although no answer could justify the hurt I was feeling.

She swallowed nervously. "Jimmy made me."

I was stunned.

"Why?" I whispered.

"He, uh, he wanted me to stay away because..." She trailed off, like she was trying to put her thoughts into words. "He doesn't like Derrick and he knows that Derrick and I are m- friends."