High Stakes

Part Six

Part 6

SANG:

After that first day of awkwardness things sort of fell into a rhythm. When I had gone to my first class super late the first day, after all that, um stuff, with Mr Blackbourne (oh my God, I still can’t believe that), I was met with Luke and North, who appraised me up and down.

Luke beamed, obviously pleased that I looked like I belonged back in the world of the living, while North’s eyes just gleamed a bit. He did give me a nod, though, which made me bite my lip to stop from smiling. That made his eyes narrow in on my mouth, so I had to look away, embarrassed. If only he knew what that mouth had just been doing to Mr Blackbourne…

All of my classes throughout the day had at least one of the guys I had met that morning in attendance. Gabriel immediately took me under his wing, chatting, joking, and I felt completely at ease with him.

Nathan, I noticed, had taken off his silver ring, which made me feel all kinds of warm and fuzzy. He didn’t want to even risk hurting me. Seriously--that was a butterflies in the stomach inducing moment. When he caught me staring at his ringless hand, he gave me the widest smile ever, and I melted.

Kota seemed like he was fascinated with me, and I constantly caught him staring at me, but I guess that meant that I was looking at him as much as he was looking at me.

Victor’s eyes seemed to light on fire when he greeted me the first class we had together. He looked a little shy, nervous, tapping his fingers against his desk, which calmed when I made conversation to prevent his nerves to translate over to me. I faked confidence, and it worked. His tension eventually faded.

Silas never had tension to begin with. The guy was confidence incarnate. His smile so wicked I almost had a constant blush every time he unleashed it on me. He made me feel comfortable, though, which was odd because he was a giant, almost a whole foot taller than me, which shoulders so broad I doubt I could even wrap my arms all the way around him.

To my surprise, and only encouraging my embarrassment to flare up again, Dr Green wasn’t just the school nurse, he also teaches Japanese. I went straight to my seat, eyes down, face crimson. When he called roll, I mumbled, “Here,” and stared at my hands clasped on my desk. When I heard him chuckle, I whipped my head up, startled. He made a chomping motion at me, and I smiled hesitantly, wanting to crawl under my desk and die. He only laughed more, and I smiled wider. Obviously, he wasn’t upset or annoyed with me--not like Mr Blackbourne.

It was obvious each of the guys approved of my healthier appearance, too. Which was extremely amazing to me. It felt good to be given so much attention. It was weird--different--but good. I think I’ve blushed more this past week than I have in my entire life.

And so, the pattern began, and the first week of school went by better than I could ever have imagined--seriously, ever. Kota, Nathan, and I rode the bus together--whoever got there fastest sat next to me in the seat--and then we’d hang out with the others until the first bell would ring. Classes were so much better having people I know in them. Luke would braid my hair, or twist it, and then Gabe would freak out, fixing it, cursing, complaining, all the while I would giggle happily. Silas would sit behind me, and poke me in the side occasionally, causing me to squeak, which would make him beam in pride. North warmed up to me too, which meant that he’d started nodding and saying “Hey.” When he walked me to my next class, he’d always grab my bag, grunting when I said thank you. We were practically best friends. Victor helped me with Japanese, his patience and dedication astounding, and the way he leaned close to me, whispering correct pronunciations sent a flutter through me. Dr Green, too, went out of his way to greet me and ask me how I was doing. It seemed like they were all taking care of me, in their own ways.