Chapter 5 Junior Year is Off with a Bang
-Annie-
I wish I had my own car. I hate being my brother’s and Steph’s third wheel each morning.
They make eyes at each other the whole way to school.
I almost jump out of the car as Miles parks.
He reminds me that I’m going to have to wait for him after practice, and I remind him that I’ll be ok and that I have sixth hour practice just like he does.
I let him know that I’ll be waiting in the bleachers if I get out earlier than he does, and then I hightail it into the building.
***
So here I am, day one of Junior year, ready to make it or break it.
Before losing my nerve, I sign my name on the sheet for the Visual News team.
When I turn around, Meg is bouncing on her toes and gives me a little cheer.
We make our way to first period, both talking and sharing information.
“Any more run-ins with the hotties next door?” Meg asks me as we made our way down the long hallway.
I fill her in on this morning's run-in with the Davis brothers. Most notably, my surprise that Daniel seemed to be flirting. She laughs, “Why are you always so surprised when guys flirt with you? You are hot, my friend. Also, don’t let Miles get to him before you can get your claws into him. Your brother is a buzzkill, making you off limits to the whole football team.” I shake my head in agreement; maybe I’ll go after what I want in all areas of my life this year.
New Year, new Annie Campbell. I find myself liking the sounds of that and smiling.
I am looking over at Meg, not paying attention in front of me, and I run straight into a hard body.
Large arms wrap around me, catching me before I fall.
Thank goodness he catches me, or I would have made a scene in the first few minutes of the morning, and classes haven’t even started.
He helps me find my feet but doesn’t remove his hands.
I look up into sky-blue eyes. I ran straight into Daniel Davis, I realize, my brain making the connection between the eyes and arms surrounding me!
I feel the blush of deep red run across my skin.
I need to look up ways to control my reactions, or my skin is always going to give me away, I mentally note to myself.
Meg clears her throat, and it’s just the thing I need to break eye contact with him.
“Thank you for catching me—so sorry for trying to run you over,” I say as I take one step back from Daniel.
He drops his hands from my arms and smiles.
“Already testing my reflexes, Campbell: trying to see if I’ll be able to handle the hard hits on and off the field?
” “Well, I guess now I can report that you in fact can take a hard hit and have great reflexes,” I reply.
Meg next to me snorts and tries to cover it up with her laugh that follows.
I had completely forgotten she was standing right next to me…
To be honest, I had forgotten we had an audience at all and are still standing in the hallway.
I go to introduce Meg to Daniel and just get out, “This is my best friend Meg Pat—” but the bell rings before I can complete Meg’s name, indicating that first period is about to begin.
Daniel turns to leave, but before he does, he says, “See you around, Annie,” following it up with what is becoming his signature wink.
As soon as he is around the corner, I hear Meg next to me say, “That last name was Patterson, and oh yeah, it was nice to meet you too, Daniel Davis.” I turn to look at her, and she is wearing a grin.
“Annie Campbell, I think you have him right where you want him. That boy only has eyes for you, and I was standing right here.” She makes a dramatic motion towards her body.
Then we scramble into class before the second bell rings, just making it before being counted late.
Maybe she’s right, but it’s too soon to tell if he’s interested yet. I can’t wait to find out.