Eirik waved from the doorway when class ended. I collected the folder of homework I’d missed and was headed toward the door when Lavania called my name. I pretended not to hear her.
“What does she want?” Eirik asked.
“I don’t know.”
“I came by after your first period, but you two were busy talking in the back.”
He sounded annoyed. I shrugged. “She invited me to their place for a neighborly get-together.”
Eirik frowned. “Are you going?”
“Nope. Don’t have the time. Every teacher is giving me a folder or packet of missed assignments and reading material. I’m going to be too busy playing catch up to have a social life. Is she always so pushy?”
“And she does it with a smile, which is very annoying.”
I took his arm and pretended not to notice the other students treating me like I was a freak show. “You know you don’t have to escort me to my classes.”
“I don’t mind.” He glared at a group of students as we walked past them. “Idiots. Cora said they’re being total douches.”
I bumped him with my shoulder. “So you decided to be my guardian angel?”
“Part-time guardian angel. Cora will take over after third period.”
I laughed, but was touched. My friends rocked. “You two are crazy.”
“Has anyone said anything to you yet?”
“No. They just gawk. Nothing I can’t handle. They’ll lose interest in a day or two.”
“I hope so, or I’m going to break someone’s nose. If anyone does or says anything, tell me.” From his expression, he would defend me, which was big. Eirik was the most non-confrontational guy I knew. He had a temper, but tended to withdraw before he snapped and threw things around. I’d seen him vent countless times. It wasn’t a pretty sight.
“That’s nice, but I can take care of myself. Besides, I don’t want you going against your pacifist beliefs.”
“Whoever said I was a pacifist is an idiot,” he retorted.
“That would be… you.” I eased my arm from his hand. “See you at lunch.”
He reached down to kiss me. I wasn’t sure whether he meant to kiss me on the lips or not, but I turned my head and gave him my cheek just as Torin appeared at the end of the hallway. He stared at us curiously. He’d always hated it when Eirik and I kissed. Would a kiss jog his memories? Even as the thought crossed my head, I knew I couldn’t do it. I was done using my friend as a crutch. Besides, kissing Eirik would mess up things between him and Cora.
“Go, I’ll be okay.” I nudged him and hurried toward my next class.