'This is it', I think. Finally. We spin in unison to the speaker. It's Mr. Stephens. "I need each of you to listen carefully. You will be allowed to keep one large and one small bag with you on the bus. Just remember, space will be tight, so the less you carry on, the more room you'll have. Any other bags or suitcases will be stowed on whichever bus you ride on. Keep the isles clear. It will be first come, first served so to speak. If one bus fills up, you will be directed to next available bus."
Students are chatting and picking up their gear. The noise level has increased and it's getting harder to hear Mr. Stephens' directions. Most everything he's said so is expected. My gang has already grabbed all their bags. Xavier nabbed my second bag, and I offer him a look of gratitude. If he carries two, then all my bags can stay within reach. Nolan has two bags of his own. Zoe has three. She's debating which bag she can part with when Sarah speaks up.
"I can take one for you Zoe. I only have my one overnight. I left my backpack in algebra class the other day. My mom just brought me the one." She looks sheepishly around.
I feel for her, but then consider her backpack probably only has books in it. I doubt any of us will need our notebooks for a bit.
"Oh Sarah, thank you! That's so sweet. I'll give you my small one so it won't be as heavy for you. You're almost as small as Layken." She gives Sarah a wink and I roll my eyes. But I'm not mad. I can't change being petite. Sarah is on the small side, but I'm still winning the shortest category by at least two inches.
We're packed and loaded, ready to go. We've managed to keep our place close to the back doors. The moment Mr. Stephens tells us to line up, we'll be at the front of the line.
I hear him say, "Once you have your things packed and ready, you can start lining up at the rear of the gym near the door leading to the track. Please don't push or shove. No one will be left behind. Thank you."
Just as we planned, we are first to the door, while the line forms behind us. I catch myself bouncing slightly. I take another breath. Nolan is in front, followed by Zoe and Sarah, then me with Xavier behind. I smile. I kind of like the idea of Xavier Ross being my bodyguard. 'Cut it out Layken', I tell myself. He's carrying one of bags. Why wouldn't he stay close to me.
Xavier leans down to speak quietly in my ear. "Are you going to sit with me on the bus?"
I freeze. I hadn't thought about it. I guess I assumed I'd sit with Zoe. Does he want to sit with me? Why wouldn't he sit with Nolan? I'm stumped and don't know what to say.
He laughs softly. "I'm teasing."
I let out the breath I'd been holding. "Uh, ok. I'll just sit with Zoe probably."
"What do you think we should do about Sarah?" he whispers into my hair. He's so close, I feel his breath on move strands of the hair around my ear. My heart starts to race.
"Um. What do you mean?" I can't think with him standing so close. My brain does that crazy freeze thing and all I can hear is the pounding of blood in my eardrums.
"Well, we're supposed to watch out for her, but those seats only fit two people." He's still too close. I shift a little to the side, trying to angle my head so I can see his face. Bad idea. Now his face is only inches from mine. Oh my. His eyes are so close I can make out the little specks of gold in the green irises. All coherent thought flies right out of my head. What were we talking about? His eyelashes are more brown than blonde, but my, they're long.
I realize we've been standing this way for a moment too long in silence, just staring into each other's eyes. Why hasn't he moved? Did his eyes just flick down to my mouth? Oh no.
YOU ARE READING
Terror By Night
Fiksyen Sains*Whatever you do, don't go out at night. The only safety you have is in the light.* A young girl will do whatever it takes to reunite with her family when the unbelievable occurs. No one is prepared for the attack that comes. They're being called t...
