Shadowed

Skylar

"I'm going to fail." Mallory groans, her voice dropping an octave lower on the last word. "When will the Pythagorean Theorem help me in the real world, huh? Tell me this!"

"I don't know!" I laugh, dodging her hand as she throws her arms out dramatically, "And we're in Algebra 2 so..."

Mallory gives me a condescending look that says Really? as she pushes through the door from Mrs. Bryant's room and into the hallway before sighing.

"Sweetie, I was making a joke."

"A lame one..." I mumble and she slaps my arm.

It's after school. We both decided to go to an extra credit study group for our Algebra class. I don't show it, but I feel about as confidant about the next test as Mallory does. We're the last ones out the door because Mallory felt the need to go over every question with Mrs. Bryant again before leaving. It's a good thing she's a patient woman.

"And did you see Logan?" She hisses, wiggling her eyebrows at me.

Obviously I saw Logan, he was sitting right in front of me. More than once I had spaced out staring at his dark head bent over his paper, the tan skin of his neck making me daydream about touching it as I brought him closer to kiss me.

As I open my mouth to gush about how I'm in love with him and how we're getting married someday, a figure at the water fountain straightens up and wipes their mouth. I don't need Mallory's elbow jab to tell me who it is. I let out an involuntary squeak as Logan turns around and smiles at the both of us.

Be cool!

Just as we pass each other, my best poker face on, my shoulder inches from his, Mallory pushes me so that I stumble into him.

It's nearly as embarrassing as the scene in the lunch room the week before. My feet continue to trip over themselves so that I not only stumble into Logan, but also send the poor guy flying towards the wall with me cradled against his chest. He grabs my elbow as he falls, his other hand thrown out to brace our collision. A second later we've stopped, our faces inches apart.

"I am so sorry." I gasp, leaning away and trying to find a proper footing, "So, so sorry."

"It's fine," he smiles, looking faintly startled as he releases my elbow and stands up straight, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah... Yeah," I stammer, looking up and down the hallway for Mallory who is long since gone, "I-I just, uh, tripped. Sorry."

He shrugs, his adorable smile never leaving his face.

"It's honestly fine."

"Yeah, um... Alright." I say, nodding my head like an idiot, "Well, see ya."

I turn to walk away, trying to hide my red face. Freakin Mallory! Sometimes I wonder why I'm even her friend. My face is hot, whether from embarrassment or anger I can't tell, and frustrated, embarrassed tears are threatening to fill my eyes. My phone vibrates with a text message, probably Mallory, but I ignore it. All of my focus is on getting to the library without falling to pieces.

As I turn away, a hand grabs my elbow softly, making my heart jump into my throat.

"Hey, Skylar?"

Holy crap. We're touching. He's touching me. Holy shit. Pull it together.

I turn a little too quickly back to him, blinking furiously and hoping I'm still not beet red. Come on Skylar, tone down the enthusiasm.

"Yeah?" I smile nervously.

He falters.

"Uh... How are you feeling about the test?"

Whaaaaat?