Different

Chapter Six

   Jake ran a hand through his shaggy blonde hair. "Is this guy giving you trouble or something?"

    I crossed my arms. "Not really. He's more of an annoyance than a threat."

   Jackson cut me a glare. "We'll see."

   Jake and Jackson held eyes in some sort of stare down until Jackson turned the corner.

   I leaned against the wall. I just wanted to pee.

   "You know that guy?" Jake moved his green eyes to mine.

   I shrugged. "We have a bit of a history, I guess. What are you doing here?"

   He glanced away. "I go to school here. Duh."

   I nudge the top of my sneaker against a streak on the floor. "I haven't seen you around. Not really that big of a school."

   He sighed. "Well, I'm here now. So..."

   I nodded. "Okay... I'm going to pee now."

   I turned into the bathroom, confident that this boy wouldn't follow me in. Jake was gone once I stepped out.

   I didn't believe for one second that Jake's sudden being here was a coincidence.

   Especially not after his grandma said that the 'suits' were looking for me.

I sighed, wondering when my life had gotten so freaking weird.

I had a crazy family watching me, a douchey dude who wanted to fight me and a really cute boy who walked out on me for another girl. Could life get anymore complicated?

   I almost laughed at my own ignorance. Of course it could. I was a middle class American for crying out loud. At least I had running water.

   My phone rang, pulling me out of my pity the world thoughts.

   "Hello?" I retreated back into the bathroom.

   "Brooklyn Thompson?" A slightly accented voice greeted me from the phone.

   "Uh, yes? That's me."

   There was static on the other side then the call ended.

    I turned my phone off and closed my eyes. What the heck?

   I went through the rest of the day normally. I talked with Brittney and Sophia. I ate cold pizza. And I didn't pay attention in class.

   I was both nervous and eager for anatomy. I wasn't sure what Ry was going to do or what was going on with him.

   I slid into my seat next to him, glancing his way. He was staring at his desk, finger tapping lightly against the top surface.

   "Hey," I set my bag down.

   He nodded in my direction. I bit my lip, unsure. "So, are you feeling better?"

    Ry's blue eyes met mine and I was shocked by the indifference in them. He seemed a little closed off the last time we talked, maybe even mad but I didn't think he'd still feel butt hurt. "Ry?"

   His jaw hardened. "I'm fine. Be better if you didn't ask me that every ten seconds."

   I tried to keep the surprise and hurt off my face. "I-um, sorry?"

   He turned away from me and I blinked a couple of times then turned my attention to the teacher.

   Something was wrong. Ry wasn't being Ry. Where was the guy who went out of his way to get my name? The guy who followed me into the bathroom to make sure I was okay? Where was that guy? I didn't want to deal with the cold indifferent one that had appeared in the restaurant.