California

Chapter Fourteen

Much as Clareview's halls were spacious, the universe sure managed to make it seem like a squeezed corridor. Why, you ask? Well, Monday started off pretty well. I got up and dressed lightly for the hot weather and took the bus with Amanda. At school we parted ways because we had different classes at first period, but I still had to grab my stuff from the lockers. I was absentmindedly searching for my books when I felt someone bump into me. I lost balance and thought I'd fall over for a second, but managed to hang on to the locker door.

When I rose I was met with the same face that had taken my breath away a week ago: Cali. He was wearing that same burgundy beach volley shirt and somehow looked slightly more tanned. Maybe he'd spent Saturday at the beach and went home straight away and that's why he didn't make it to the Screecher. His full brown hair was brushed back from sweat. At first glance it seemed like he'd been training since dawn.

"Oh, Liv! I'm so sorry!" He said while helping me up. He remembered me just as I did him. "My mind was up in the air, I must not have seen you there."

"Don't worry!" I sounded kind of pitchy. I had to dial it down. What was wrong with me? "It's fine, really. No harm no foul."

"It won't happen again." He promised.

His eyes were even bluer with the sunlight coming from the windows that bathed only half of his face. He had a square jaw straight out of Hollywood and was over 6 feet tall. He sure was a sight for sore eyes, but I'd learned long ago that a person was far more than their looks alone. Maybe that was the perfect excuse to find out whether Cali was as nice as he was good looking.

"But it's nice to bump into you." He added. "It feels like this school's so big that I haven't seen you for days. At least not since I nearly hit you with that volleyball."

"That's because it is." I chuckled. "It's probably the biggest school I've ever seen. And I'm glad Amanda was there to save me."

"I am too." He smiled and somehow looked even more handsome. "I'd have kicked myself if I'd done anything to make you hate me."

I blushed almost instantly and hoped to God he hadn't noticed. My face was tanned enough to hide a mild blush, but I could literally feel the blood rush to my cheeks and thinking about it only made it worse. I decided to play along.

"Don't worry, I don't hate you." I paused, lingering into his eyes. "At least not yet."

We exchanged an honest laugh. I kind of wished Amanda was there to provide moral support but I also liked the thrill of seeing were things went. I was a very confident, self-assured girl, but sometimes I let my nerves get the best of me. Amanda was a great friend and already I felt comfortable around her, but I had to talk to people by myself eventually. The fact that the first one in line was Cali had to be some twisted cosmic sense of humor.

"Well, I'm glad." He sighed. "It's nice to see you around."

"We could've seen each other at the Screecher. People kinda missed you over there." I said, and immediately I saw his expression shift from cheerful to upset. Had I said something wrong?

"Yeah, I couldn't make it... I..."

Suddenly the bell rang and the hallway became agitated. Lockers banged closed all around and people headed off to class. Some of the jocks from the football team waved at Cali and called him over. If I weren't careful I'd end up late for class.

"I'll see you around, Liv."

He flashed me an honest half-smile and left. Cali got lost amidst the crowds of students and soon I couldn't see him anymore. He was quite nice, or so it seemed. Not that a quick hallway chat gone sour could ever showcase his true colors, but it was a start. I only hoped I hadn't upset him when I mentioned the Screecher. What had happened?

...

Tuesday wasn't anywhere near as exciting. Actually, it was the exact opposite: We had a surprise quiz during second period. As per the nature of surprise quizzes, everyone was caught off guard and not at all prepared. My old school in Seattle didn't do that sort of thing so I'd never though of preparing for something that unexpected.

So there I was, resting my head on my hands as I watched the quiz's questions all blur into one capital letter I'M SCREWED printed over the lines. I did my best to provide the most thorough answers I could recall from the lectures and my notebook, but I knew I didn't know everything. I only hoped the professor would go easy on us when grading considering it was only the start of the year. Plus, I hadn't seen Cali anywhere and my overthinking self began to wonder whether he was avoiding me because of tomorrow's conversation gone awry. So, yeah, Tuesday didn't start off that great.

I got home after class and the sun was still shining bright. I'd said goodbye to Amanda and I'd come walking from the bus stop as I usually did. When I approached our house I noticed there were three cars in the driveway. Mom's and dad's were there, but the third was awfully familiar. It was a black mini, cute and compact. It only took me a few minutes to realize who the owner was.

From the front porch Hailey waved at me, her blond hair blowing in the cool breeze. I waved back and sprunt to the the doorway. I didn't let her say anything; I just hugged her as hard as I could and wished to never let go.