CHAPTER SEVEN

I woke up to Monday at 6:30 and went strait to my desk. I started my unfinished homework yawning and finishing it just in time for school. Dad drove me after I said my good bye to Mom. I didn't want to even look at my dad. He might have discovered something about yesterday by just looking into my thought-fogged eyes.

School was a blur. Ebony could only talk about Chris and Allen to the rest of my friends. I didn't speak much, but I could act well. I sneaked in a few glances at Allen and only shared three seconds of pure eye contact. Then I was shoved back into my mundane school day. Last period was Science and Allen was in my class. Even though I adored gazing at his handsome face, at this proximity, it was risky.

Ebony and I had all our classes together and I think that was another reason we were beginning to get so close. We were lab partners and today we had to write our final lab report. Since it was getting near the end of the year, this report had to be our best. Mr. Calvin, like always, was picking on people who weren't doing the experiment right.

"Allen! What are we supposed to write for the directions. When we 'put in' the red dye, what could you replace with a more precise word?" Mr. Calvin called out. I couldn't help to look over at Allen. He looked fatigued and lazy, his eyes were droopy and his hair was tousled.

"I don't know," was Allen's immediate answer. I could see Ebony smiling behind me. She was right; he was dull in academic areas.

"Oh c'mon! Can't you think of something? Any action verb that can describe 'putting in'?"

"No," He said beginning to have an agitated tone. I couldn't look at this torture anymore. Watching him fail just showed my distaste for choosing guys. Suddenly the bell rang and stress surged out of my pours. I remembered I had a singing lesson right after school. I stormed out of the classroom, ditching Ebony behind. I didn't need to hear her, "I told you so" speech. It was a shame she caught up to me.

"Lynnette! God, you're fast!" Ebony half-yelled while walking beyond her normal pace. Her long reddish-brown hair flowed through the air behind her.

"I just don't want to hear it right now," I told her immediately.

"Fine," she responded, partly expecting my reply. Ebony opened up her phone and started thumbing buttons. Seconds later I got a text.

Knowing she had just texted what she wanted to tell me I said, "C'mon Ebony! Look, you were right, I was wrong, okay?"

"But it's not okay because I know you still like him! Whatever I say you'll push it aside like you always do. I can't stop you from liking him no matter what, right?"

I stopped pacing to look at her face, telling her a serious question was coming up, "If you know that, why do keep telling me things I don't want to hear?"

"Hope." Ebony shrugged slightly and gave a sheepish smile.

"Your hopes are ludicrous. I have to go, I'll call you later!" I called to her running off pass the parking lot. Ebony just rolled her eyes and yelled back, "If it's not about a guy, I won't answer!"

I giggled running to my singing lesson across the street.

I rang the doorbell and Mrs. Moynihan welcomed me with a warm smile like she always does. I stepped inside awkwardly and shuffled over to the piano. She started me off with a humming exercise. Next she gave me a new diction technique.

"Say, 'Fallen crisps' in the scale," Mrs. Moynihan directed me. I started off slowly, soon I was beginning to build up my confidence until my mind wandered to Wednesday. And, what about Allen? Were we okay, or still awkward? Did Chris speak to Allen? Soon I was singing, "Allen, Chris. Allen, Chris." I face-palmed my forehead and quickly corrected myself telling Mrs. Moynihan it was nothing.

The next day was the just the same, but with more butterflies for tomorrow. Allen didn't show up for school but I acted like I didn't notice. Ebony tortured me by asking what I was going to do with Chris in the library. We both knew it was going to be more than just "tutoring". After school I went home and finished my homework frantically and headed out to take care of my neighbor's baby cousin.

If it weren't for my fast reflexes, the baby would have probably been in the ER by the end of the day. My mind wandered to tomorrow and I couldn't stand the aching in my stomach. I hobbled home, greeted my parents. But went straight up to my room. I collapsed on my bed and I noticed my heart was thumping just by thinking of Chris's dark brown eyes, his muscular arms, and the magical smirk that always made me want to faint. I was falling under his spell fast, and the more I tried to resist the more he yanked me in.