Darynda Jones: Death and the Girl Next Door

Jared nodded.

“Why don’t you take these papers to Mrs. Geary. She’ll help you with your class schedule while we get your information entered into the system.”

“Thank you,” Jared said, accepting the packet of papers then slinging the backpack onto his shoulder.

When he started toward Mrs. Geary’s office, I thought my knees would give beneath me. Every move he made was powerful, full of strength and dangerous grace.

Mr. Davis called to him. “You wouldn’t have any relatives around these parts, would you?”

He stopped and turned back. “No, sir.”

With an unconvinced nod, Mr. Davis dismissed him again.

And Jared started toward the counselor’s office again. Toward me again.

In an act of desperation, I jumped back and tried my darnedest to become a corner. But as he walked past, he slowed his stride and sent a whisper of a glance over his shoulder. Then he smiled. The slimmest smile lifted the corners of his full mouth. Did he see me? I was certain the corner thing would work beautifully.

Without hesitation he stepped inside the counselor’s office and I eased out of my disguise. That’s when I noticed the poster beside Mrs. Geary’s door.

A photograph of Jaredan Scott, a Riley High football player, hovered underneath a snarling wolverine. His name stood out in red and black 3-D font as most valuable player. The parts I found most interesting were the letters J-A-R-E-D . And the fact that Jaredan Scott had been sponsored by Kovach Plumbing and Supplies, as stated at the bottom of the poster.

Jared Kovach. Now what were the odds of that? Two more questions sprang to mind immediately. First, why would he lie about his name? And second, how could he have read the fine print of that poster from so far away?

I scanned the distance back to see if Mr. Davis was still standing watch. Instead, I found Cameron Lusk. He hadn’t gone to class. I could see him through the plate-glass windows that lined the front of Riley High. He stood leaning against the building, looking directly at me, a strange expression I couldn’t decipher shadowing his face.

I offered my own glare, completely perplexed. The guy had never shown the slightest bit of interest in me. Then, out of nowhere, I couldn’t turn around without finding him waiting for me, watching, like he was mentally calculating how long it would take to strangle the life out of my body. A cold chill shimmied down my spine with the thought.

And worse, I didn’t know what to do about it. I didn’t want to alarm my grandparents. They had enough to worry about. The anniversary of my parents’ disappearance always put them in a strange state, as it did me. I didn’t want to call the police. Naturally, they would have to tell my grandparents. And I was nowhere near moronic enough to pretend I could take him. Boys, no matter how lanky, were generally strong.

“I’m stronger.”

I jumped at the sound of a male voice behind me and whirled around to slam face-first into a brick wall. My notebook flew out of my arms, launching a ticker tape parade of science notes into the air. They floated down to land in whispery chaos on the ground.

For a second I just stood there in shock until humiliation took hold and surged through me with a fiery vengeance. I could feel my cheeks heating as I looked up. And up. Into the eyes of the offending wall.

I stilled.

It was the new guy. And his eyes were amazing. Dark, steady, penetrating.

Penetrating?

“Are you okay?” he asked.

Where’d penetrating come from? I felt my cheeks grow even hotter. “Of course,” I said, glancing down to hide my face and my bruised pride. I tucked a curl behind an ear and bent to gather my notes.

Supernova knelt to help me.

“You don’t need to do that,” I said, even more embarrassed as he scooped up my messy notes before I could get to them. Honestly, why couldn’t I at least try to write neatly?

“I don’t mind,” he said, lifting the drawing I’d done that morning.

I snatched it out of his hand before he could get a good look.

He glanced at me but not in surprise at what I’d done. More like curiosity. His dark gaze was startlingly intense. The contrast of molasses-colored eyes and hair made his flawless skin appear almost translucent. The effect was haunting.

I forced my thoughts back to the present. “I’m Lorelei,” I managed at last.

He hesitated as he had with Mr. Davis. After a quick glance over his shoulder, he stood and offered his hand. “I’m Jared.”

I almost looked at the poster again. Instead, I shut my eyes as a slow dawning crept over me. I recognized his face. I’d drawn it that very morning. I’d been dwelling on it for three days. It was him. The boy. Only the puzzle was complete, and what a puzzle it was.

After an eternity, I realized how rude I was being and rushed to place my hand into his for a boost. The contact electrified me. One minute I was kneeling on the floor; the next I was standing in front of him, as if we had slipped forward in time.

When I felt my feet on solid ground again, I smiled and pulled my hand back. “Thank you.”

He watched me a long moment, his brows furrowing in thought; then he blinked as if coming to his senses and handed over a stack of notes. “You should be more careful.”

His deep voice, velvety and rich like hot chocolate, tugged at my insides, warmed them. It took a great deal of concentration to focus on anything but the visceral reaction every inch of my body was having as a result of his nearness. Finally, after a couple of false starts, I said, “My grandmother tells me the same thing.”

A half smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes lifted one corner of his incredible mouth. I couldn’t seem to look away. His lashes lowered to fan across his cheeks as if overcome by a sudden jolt of shyness. They were long and thick, just like in my vision, and made his eyes sparkle. I felt that sharp tug at my insides again as I recognized every curve of his face, every contour. My vision had actually manifested right before my very eyes.

I fought to stay focused. “So, you’re new?” I asked, pretending I hadn’t just heard his entire conversation with Mr. Davis.

“Yes.” His gaze meandered back up. It paused a moment on my mouth, just long enough to make my heart miss a beat, before boring into mine again.

“Well, then, welcome to Riley High,” I said a tad breathlessly.

He continued to study me and I was beginning to wonder if I had something on my face. Why would anyone that gorgeous spend so much time looking at me? My thoughts jumped back to the vision, replayed it in my mind. The boy. The monster. The sword. And the blood pooling in the valleys of his muscles, dripping down his arm. My attention drifted to his chest, wondering if he took off his shirt right then and there, would he have three slashes across his torso?

With an airy sigh, I came to my senses. Of course not. What I saw wasn’t real. Could never be real.

“Oh, my,” I heard from down the hall. “Did you fall again, Lor?”

Heels echoed off the walls as the creature whose name shall not be spoken aloud decided to goad me. Again. I glanced around the corner to see Tabitha Sind heading our way with her long, perfect legs, perfect blond hair, and a perfect face to back up her ’tude. I only had Brooklyn and Glitch to back up mine, but that was okay. I really didn’t have much of an attitude anyway. Except for when my grandmother said, “Don’t give me that attitude.” Then I guess I had one. But since nobody could make me feel more ill equipped to be human than Tabi, I decided to access my usual coping mechanism and avoid her at all costs.

“I better get to class,” I said, backing away from the most beautiful thing I’d ever laid eyes upon, but Tabitha rounded the corner before I could make my escape. In a heartbeat I was face-to-face with my archenemy, and I had to wonder if it was just me or if her head really was too big for her body.