The Guardian Children (book 1) [SAMPLE]

Chapter 3

“Class, I want you all to meet Cody Lian, a newcomer at our school this year,” the second period teacher introduced me as everyone started talking about me in hushed tones and staring at me curiously.

I resisted rolling my eyes, exasperated. This was first period all over again.

“Now, I’m counting on you to be nice to her and make her feel welcome. We want her to fit in, alright?”

Kill me now, I thought to myself. “There’s no need,” I told her with over-exaggerated politeness. “I would blend in better with the wall, but thanks for the offer.”

Laughter rolled around the room, which was weird since I didn’t think what I said was that funny. It seemed to take some of the tension off the teacher’s shoulders, though. She relaxed with a smile and told me to take a seat, introducing herself as Mrs. Murry while doing so.

“Now, before we start, we have another newcomer,” she went on excitedly. “He’s not here yet, but I’m sure he will be any minute now, so just be patient.”

Wow. Being new in this school was like being royalty or something. First, they laughed at my lame attempt of a joke, and then, when the other new kid turned out to be late, they were all disappointed, some even going ‘aw’ dejectedly.

A couple of minutes later, during which Mrs. Murry was checking attendance, the door opened and a guy walked in. I felt a strange compulsion to look up but didn’t think anything of it since the rest of the class did too. Just from the first glance, I could tell there was something different about him. Well, if you looked at him, he was perfectly normal, very hot, even.

However, there was something about that look on his face; a look I knew only too well. I was sure this guy had a troubled past. Only people who’ve had rough childhoods wore that look on their face. I started to wonder if he was anything like me, and if there was a chance he would talk to me so I could find out.

I was so deeply fascinated with this guy that I almost didn’t hear Mrs. Murry introduce him.

“… student, Leo Taylor,” she was saying gleefully. “Like I said about Miss Lian, here,”- she gestured to me – “I expect all of you to make him feel welcome.”

Leo turned to look at who the teacher was talking about and his dark piercing eyes found my plain hazel ones. I smiled tentatively, but he turned pointedly away, as if deciding I wasn’t worth his time.

Ouch. Now I knew how Carter must have felt when I did the same to him earlier. I was going to have to apologize.

For whatever reason, Leo seemed to be even more distant than I was, and more unwilling to talk to anyone. He didn’t speak even once, not even to introduce himself when Mrs. Murry requested it. He just ignored her and went to sit at the only empty chair. That could only mean his case was worse than mine, and I was even more curious to figure him out.

 ~~~~~~~~~

Lunch time came before I knew it. I had been thinking of a way to approach Leo the whole time. I couldn’t figure out which was stronger; my curiosity to see what he was like or my annoyance at the way he treated me. The way I felt around him really creeped me out. I wondered how he would react if I went to sit with him to eat. He probably wouldn’t like it, which made me all the more determined to unmask him.

“Hey,” a cheerful voice said, pulling me out of my thoughts.

Looking up, I came face to face with Carter. “Hi,” I said sourly, unable to contain my mood, though it did lift slightly to see a familiar and, more importantly, friendly face.