I tune out his droning voice, staring at the back of Wren’s head. Her dark hair swept up in that high ponytail, the curling ends brushing against the back of her navy jacket. Giving in, I reach out, curling a tendril around my finger, tugging on it lightly.
She doesn’t react. Doesn’t even move, and I wonder if she even felt it.
Glancing around, I make sure no one else is paying attention to me. I shouldn’t play with her hair in front of everyone. They might get the wrong idea.
Though, what would be so bad about that? Thinking we’ve got a thing for each other? So what if we do?
Jesus, I sound like an idiot, even in my own head. I can’t fall for this girl. She’s not for me. She’s too good, too sweet, too innocent and trusting. And a bit of a mess, thanks to her parents just splitting up.
I should leave her alone. Be her friend and push all hope of getting her naked firmly out of my thoughts.
“Mr. Lancaster. Are you paying attention?”
Figueroa’s smug voice startles me and I glare at him, ignoring the soft laughter that fills the class. “Yeah.”
“Tell us then, one of the themes from the book.” Figueroa crosses his arms, waiting for me to fuck up.
I tried to watch the movie when I was like ten, I think? I can’t remember—as in, I also don’t remember hardly anything about it. I left the room within five minutes of my arrival, already bored out of my mind. But I do know about a few of the themes it covers. “Greed? Excess?”
Surprise crosses my teacher’s face. “That’s correct. What else? Anyone?”
Someone else raises their hand and he calls on them, walking over to the other side of the class. Wren turns halfway in her seat, sending me an unreadable look. “Why are you sitting by me? You usually sit in the back.”
“Thought I’d sit by my friend.” I reach out and tug on the end of her ponytail again, and this time, she notices. “I like your hair like this.”
Her cheeks go pink. “Thank you.” She turns her back to me once again, and I smile to myself.
She really thinks she’ll be able to keep this purely friendly between us?
I’ll show her friendly.