I leave the classroom, still feeling puzzled, but head to the office instead of Botany. The fair haired secretary smiles at me politely, and asks, "How can I help you?" in an oh-so-familiar Southern twang that pierces my heart.
"I'd like to sign up for swim team." I said quickly, feeling tears well up in my eyes.
"Sure." She nods agreeably, and pulls out the signup sheet. "I'll email Coach Lir with your name and phone number. Try outs are on Friday at the campus pool at six sharp. Don't be late."
"Thank you." I nod, and scribble my name onto the almost full signup sheet. "Can I get a late pass, too? I don't want Mr. Shepard to mark me tardy…it's only my second day here."
"'Course." The secretary chuckles, ripping off a late slip from a worn pad. "How's Mythos so far?"
"Great." I lie, plastering another wavering smile on my face. "It's great so far."
"Lovely. I'm Miz Warren, and if you need anything at all, pumpkin, just ask."
"Thanks." I wave, and head to Botany.
I stride down the hallway quickly, not wanting to be late to Calculus, too. Mr. Shepard's face turned a bright pink when I entered class 5 minutes after the tardy bell, but cooled when I showed him the slip from Miz Warren.
Logan and I bump hips as we enter Calculus at the same time, each of us wedging against the doorway. I laugh at this, and slide into the seat beside him, which makes a lanky brunette scowl at me.
"Leader of one of your many fan clubs, I presume?" I chuckle, flipping my heavy, dark bangs out of my eyes. His face flushes slightly, and he shrugs.
"How am I supposed to know?" He whispers, his breath tickling my ear.
I laugh softly, and turn to face Dr. Lewis, who is glaring at us from the front of the room.
"Miss Davis, Mister Quinn. Is there something you'd like to tell the class?"
"Um…" I stammer, my face beginning to flush. "Just that the problem you were representing on the board was quite…interesting."
"Would you like to give me the answer, then, Miss Davis?"
"Yes, Dr. Lewis, I would." I nod, and pronounce the answer smartly.
Dr. Lewis nods, but her eyes lock onto mine, as if saying, Yeah, you're smart, but I'm on to you.
Who cared? New year, new school, new friends…new guys. Wait, scratch that. Yes new guys, but none I'd be flirting with. Just…Travis. He was the only one I needed, right? I pull out my phone eagerly, and read a single text from him.
Ma is doing better. Miss u. Call me after class.
I shut my phone just before Dr. Lewis arrives at my desk and can scold me for it. Her almost beady gray eyes narrow, and she thunks a new Calculus textbook down on my desk.
"Your textbook for the year, Miss Davis."
"Thank you," I reply coolly, and slump down in my seat. This'll be a looong year.
Right after classes let out, I dial Travis's number, expecting him to pick up immediately, like usual…but he doesn't. On the fifth ring he answers a brisk, "Hello?"
"Travis, its Mia." I practically croak. "What's up?"
"Hey, sweetie." Travis's voice rises a bit, almost taking on a squeaky pitch. "Uh…"
"Everything ok?"
"Yeah, everything is fine…" He stammers slightly, and very unconvincingly.
"Mmhm." I grunt, my disbelief overtaking me.
"How've your classes been?" Travis asks, deliberately changing the subject.
"Great," I say quickly, and sit down on a worn stone bench. "I've been doing pretty well in Science and History, just have to work on Calculus, 'cause my teacher despises me."
He laughs breathily, almost nervously.
"Are you sure you're ok, Travis?" I ask once again. "You seem a little off."
"Um…yeah. My dad went back home, after he realized Ma wasn't dying or nothing."
"Oh…" I murmur quietly. "I'm sorry. I know how much you wanted to spend time with him…"
"Guess he didn't want to spend time with me." He mutters.
Was that really the only thing he wanted to tell me?
"How's everything at Blanchard?" I find myself asking, but I'm not really concerned about the happenings at our old school. Well, my old school. It's still Travis's.
"The girls are still rambling about how much they miss you." Travis chuckles. I feel my face flush, and smile at the thought of Genève, Lala, Missy, and Marie feigning how much they miss me. We were the "It" girls at Blanchard, something I'd never been in my previous public high school. Preppy, beautiful, and always bold Genève de Vergès, with her silky dark hair and tan, almost caramel colored complexion, she was the essence of beauty, well, Cajun beauty. She'd been one of my sole companions at Blanchard, her understanding of having lost her own mother a few months before mine, really helped me, just as Travis did. But Genève introduced me to serious New Orleans society, balls, plays, and usual high social gatherings.
For that, I'd forever be grateful for her. But sometimes, especially with nerdy boys or geeky girls, or anyone trying to one-up her, she could be especially catty. I had to remember to call her, and ask how she and her 'boyfriend', or as Gen says, 'boy toy', Henry, were doing.
"I miss them, too," I whisper, sadness welling up in my throat. "What's going on around school?"
"Well," He begins slowly, almost cautiously. "The usual autumn dance is coming up."
Crap. So this was what this was about. Another girl had probably asked him. It didn't anger me, just upset me that I couldn't be his date this year.
"A pretty lady ask you, yet?" I feel myself laugh, trying to sound good natured.
"Yes," Travis sighs.
"Say yes." I respond quietly. "We both know it's impossible for me to be there, and I don't want you cooped up alone on my account. I want you to have fun, even if it is without me."
"I did. Say yes, I mean." He replies shortly. This is what angers me. I thought he was calling to get my permission. But I guess he figured he didn't need it. I'm still his girlfriend after all.
"Oh." I practically snarl. "Wonderful. Who's the lucky lady?"
"Lala Monty."
I suck in a short breath of air and bite back the rising bile bubbling in my throat. Lala? My Lala? You have got to be kidding me. With her curvy body, plump rosy lips, and tousled auburn locks, she was a definite catch, but she'd never let on having a crush on Travis. My Travis. Wow, I sounded possessive. But he was mine, after all. My boyfriend. My boy toy. My…everything. This could not be happening. But it was. And there was nothing I could do to stop it.
"Cool. I hope you guys have fun." I mumble. "I have homework to do, so I'll talk to you later."
"'Kay. Later, baby." Travis says, and I shut my phone off quickly, not wanting to call him back.
