CHAPTER 4
Cassie idly played with the pages of her notebook as the principal droned on with the daily announcements. She honestly didn't know if she was going to make it through this day. She was wound tight as a spring about ready to break. Closing her eyes, she folded her arms and dropped her head on the desk as she stifled a yawn. Chris shot her a questioning look, but she ignored it as she allowed her eyes to drift shut.
The morning announcements finally came to an end and attendance began. Cassie shot her hand up, not bothering to lift her head when her name was called. Chatter started up the minute attendance ended. Homework was discussed; plans for the weekend were made in the few minutes left before the day started.
"You ok?"
Cassie opened her eyes, her lids felt like lead as she met Chris's worried gaze. "Just a little tired," she assured him.
The class suddenly became still as a strange hush settled over everyone. Cassie frowned at the startled look that came over Chris's face. He froze where he was, his hand upon her desk and his eyes riveted on something at the front of the class.
A feeling of foreboding stole through her. The strange tingling sensation once again raced down her spine. Her already frayed nerve endings leapt to blazing life, as they seemed to sizzle and crack with electricity. She remained frozen, unable to lift her head to see what had everyone so riveted; she was certain she already knew, she just wasn't certain how she was going to deal with it.
Swallowing heavily, she fought to rid herself of the gigantic lump in her throat. Taking a deep breath, she gathered all of her courage, and whatever strength she had left and slowly lifted her head, her eyes immediately making contact with his. Her heart fluttered like a bird trapped in a cage, his powerful body seemed so out of place in the classroom.
Her classroom!
It took her a moment to truly comprehend he was really there, that she hadn't fallen asleep and started dreaming about him. She had to be awake though, for she could never dream anything so amazing or so frightening. She also never would have dreamed he was a high school student. He seemed far older than her, or any of her other classmates. He exuded a raw power and confidence none of them possessed. Yet he was standing there as if he truly belonged; standing there as if he didn't look as out of place as a platypus would.
Even Mrs. Mann looked slightly flabbergasted as he spoke quietly with her, then handed her a slip of paper allowing him to join the class. Cassie stared at the slip of paper as she wrestled to get her mind focused on something other than her crazy physical reaction to his presence, in her otherwise calm and normal day.
He turned away from Mrs. Mann, and his intense emerald eyes instantly latched onto hers. Cassie inhaled sharply, tears once again flooded her eyes as a sense of peace and rightness stole through her. His gaze never left hers as Mrs. Mann cleared her throat to get everyone's attention. Everyone's interest was already focused upon the outsider in their midst though. Few new students ever moved to their small town, let alone one as fascinating and magnificent as he was. He would be the center of attention for the rest of the year.
"Class, I would like to introduce you to Devon Knight."
Something flickered in his eyes; a small smile curved his full mouth as he finally turned his gaze to the rest of the students. With the connection broken, a crushing sense of being trapped descended upon her. She couldn't be stuck here with him; she couldn't be forced into a destiny she didn't want. Not again.
And she did not want this, whatever this was, she told herself fiercely. However, she secretly suspected she did.
"You are lucky Devon; we have plenty of people in this class who would be more than happy to show you around." Cassie slid further down in her desk as Mrs. Mann's gaze scanned the classroom. "Melissa, would you be willing to show Devon around?"
Relief and disappointment crashed through Cassie in turbulent waves that left her shaken and unsettled. Melissa stiffened in front of Cassie. "Of course," she replied pleasantly.
The bell rang, but nobody leapt to their feet as they all remained focused on the new guy. "Have a good day everyone," Mrs. Mann announced loudly.
The trance seemed to shatter as everyone moved into action. Melissa turned to Cassie, a strange gleam in her onyx eyes. "Would you like to join us?"
Cassie opened her mouth to answer, but no words would come out. She shook her head, and knocked back her chair as she lurched to her feet. Both Chris and Melissa studied her in surprise as she scooped up her bag, and flung it over her shoulder. "Cassie…"
"I have to go, I'll see you later," she interrupted abruptly.
Her gaze darted back to the front of the class, where he was standing patiently, his eyes still focused on her. Cassie bent her head, scared to look at him in case she got sucked in by him again. If she did, she knew she would never escape. Keeping her head down, she joined the crush of students pushing into the crowded hallway.
She barely acknowledged the greetings she received as she hurried down the hall. Pushing her way into the bathroom she ignored the girls huddled by the window smoking cigarettes. They didn't acknowledge her presence either. Turning the faucet on, Cassie eagerly splashed her face with cold water.
She would not cry, she could not cry. If she did, she knew she would never stop. Turning the water off, she placed her hands on the edge of the sink and gasped in air as she struggled to keep control of her wildly swaying emotions. She wanted to sob over the events that kept throwing her life into a tailspin and for the joy and electricity still sizzling through her. She wanted it to end and for him to go away so she could feel normal again.
"Are you ok?"
She glanced up at one of the girls who'd been smoking, but was now hovering by her elbow. Worry marred the girl's delicate forehead, her hazel eyes were flecked with streaks of gold as well as concern for someone she didn't know. "I'm fine," Cassie answered shakily.
The girl gave her a worried frown as she handed her a wad of paper towels. "Are you sure?"
Cassie's hands shook as she took the towels and voiced her thanks. She was ashamed to realize she didn't know her name. "Yes. I'm Cassie."
"I know." The girl's short brown hair, streaked with shades of green, bobbed around her shoulders as she smiled. "Danielle, but my friends call me Dani."
Smiling tremulously, Cassie's hands clenched briefly around the crumpled towels. "Pleasure to meet you Dani, thank you."
A small smile flitted across the girl's pretty face before she retreated back to her hazy corner. Drying her face, Cassie glanced only briefly at her reflection. She already knew she was a mess, but her frantic, bloodshot eyes were a bit of a surprise. She looked half crazed, and it was not a good look on her. There was nothing she could do about her eyes though, she had no eye drops, and she didn’t think they would help right now. At this point, she didn't think anything could help.
Taking a deep breath, she retrieved the backpack she had hastily dumped on the floor. The hall was almost deserted when she poked her head out of the bathroom. She was still shaky and distraught, but at least she didn't feel like she was on the brink of a meltdown anymore. Making her way down the hall, she slipped into her history class. People shot her questioning looks as she made her way to her desk, but thankfully no one stopped her.
Sitting at her desk, Cassie dropped her head in her hands. She forced herself to remain seated and not get up and leave class, and school. Though it was a tempting thought, she knew she couldn't run forever, apparently he was going to be in her life from now on or at least in her school. She would have to find another way to deal with the situation other than running.
She felt avoidance would be best.