“Want to be partners?” he purred. “I hear you’re new as well.”
“I’ve been here for a while now,” I said, not appreciating the comparison.
Jake interpreted my response as an acceptance of his offer and slid easily into the seat beside me. He leaned back in his chair, hands resting comfortably behind his head.
“I’m Jake Thorn,” he said, looking at me with his hooded, dark eyes. He held out a hand, the epitome of good manners.
“Bethany Church,” I replied, gingerly proffering my own hand.
Instead of shaking it, as I had expected, he turned it over and brought it to his lips in a ridiculous gesture of gallantry. “Delighted to make your acquaintance.”
I nearly laughed outright. Did he expect me to take him seriously? Where did he think he was? I would have laughed had I not found myself looking into his eyes. They were dark green with a burning intensity, and yet there was a jaded expression on his face that suggested he had seen more of the world than most his age. His gaze swept over me, and I got the feeling he didn’t miss a thing. He wore a silver pendant around his neck: a half-moon etched with strange symbols.
He drummed his fingers casually on the desk. “So,” he said. “Any thoughts?”
I stared at him blankly.
“For the poem,” he reminded me with a raised eyebrow.
“You start,” I replied. “I’m still thinking.”
“Very well,” he said. “Any preference for particular metaphors? Rain forests or rainbows, anything like that?” He laughed at some private joke. “I’m partial to reptiles myself.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked curiously.
“To be partial to something means you like it.”
“I know what partial means; but why reptiles?”
“Tough skinned and cold-blooded,” Jake said, flashing a smile.
He turned away from me suddenly and scrawled a note on a scrap of paper, scrunched it into a ball, and flicked it at the two goth girls, Alicia and Alexandra, who were sitting in front of us, bent over their notebooks, writing rapidly. They looked across in irritation, which soon faded when they saw who their correspondent was. They quickly scanned the contents of the note, whispering excitedly to each other. Alicia peeked at Jake from under her heavy bangs and nodded almost imperceptibly. Jake winked and, seeming pleased with his efforts, settled back in his chair.
“So the theme is love,” he resumed.
“What?” I asked stupidly.
“For our poem.” He slid his gaze over me. “Have you forgotten again?”
“I was just distracted.”
“Wondering what I was saying to those girls?” he asked me slyly.
“No!” I said a little too quickly.
“I’m just trying to make friends,” he said, his face suddenly very open and honest. “It’s tough being the new kid in town.”
I felt a sudden pang of sympathy for him. “I’m sure you’ll make friends quickly,” I said.
“Everyone was really welcoming when I came. And I’m always here if you need someone to show you around.”
His lip curled up in a smile. “Thanks, Bethany. I’ll be sure to take you up on that offer.”
We considered ideas in silence for a while until Jake spoke again. “So what do you do for kicks around here?”
“Most people just hang out with friends, go to the beach, stuff like that,” I replied.
“No, I meant what do you do for kicks?”
“Oh.” I paused. “I spend most of my time with my family . . . and my boyfriend.”
“Ah, there’s a boyfriend? How wholesome.” Jake smiled. “Not that I’m surprised. Of course you have a boyfriend—with a face like that. Who’s the lucky guy?”
“Xavier Woods,” I said, embarrassed by his compliment.
“Will he be joining the priesthood anytime soon?”
I scowled at him. “It’s a beautiful name,” I said defensively. “It means light. Haven’t you ever heard of Saint Francis Xavier?”
Jake grinned. “Wasn’t he the one that went psycho and moved into a cave.”
“Actually I think it was more of a conscious decision to live simply,” I corrected.
“I see,” said Jake, “my mistake.”
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.
“How do you like your new home?” Jake asked finally.
“Venus Cove is a nice place to live and the people are genuine,’ ” I said, “but someone like you might find it dull.”
“I don’t think so,” he said, staring at me. “Not now—not with people like you around.”
The bell rang, and I packed up my books quickly, eager to go and meet Xavier.
“See you soon, Bethany,” said Jake. “Perhaps we’ll work more productively next time.”
I was seized by a sudden wave of insecurity when I caught up with Xavier at the lockers.
For some reason I felt unsettled and wanted nothing more than to feel his protective arms around me, even though they had already spent most of the day in that position. As he put his books away, I ducked under his arm and clung to him like a limpet.
“Whoa,” he said, his arms closing around me. “It’s good to see you too. You okay?”
“Yes,” I said, burying my face in his shirt and inhaling his familiar scent. “Just missed you.”
“We’ve been apart an hour.” Xavier laughed. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”