A/N Hi all, just wanted to say thanks for reading and reviewing. Sorry this is starting off slow, but it does pick up in the future, I promise! Please bear with me. -) – AM
Chapter 3
At a few minutes to nine the following Monday morning, Jess was sitting in a second-row desk in her first class of the semester at Santa Monica College, waiting for the Geometry instructor to arrive. So far the room was about half-full and Jess was starting to feel rather overdressed compared to her fellow students, many of whom wore bluejeans, tees or tanks underneath their jackets. Some were even sporting flip-flops or sandals despite it being yet another grey day in the upper 50s. It's almost like they're in denial that gloomy weather happens here, Jess thought wryly. At least it's better than the endless snow and ice we left behind back East!
She was startled out of her contemplation by the sudden appearance of a guy passing the window outside. He was going too fast for Jess to see his face but she observed that he had light blonde shoulder-length hair and his entire upper body was obscured by a heavy burgundy coat – now there's someone who realizes it's winter, Jess thought – but what really caught her attention was that the guy was gliding by at a high speed as though he were ice skating. Or maybe roller skating…Jess couldn't see his feet. A few seconds later he was gone from view. Something about that bright mane made her think it might be that Stacy guy from the restaurant. She began to hope he might be in the same class as she and a minute later her wish was granted. He came into the classroom looking a bit flushed, a notebook tucked under his arm and a yellow skateboard in his other hand.
Ah! That's what he was rolling on. Jess had seen a few skateboarders in her neighborhood back home in Philly, but they had disappeared as soon as the October chill descended on the Northeast. She was vaguely aware of the growing skateboarding phenomenon but had preferred to go rollerskating with her friends at an upscale rink in Pennsauken.
Stacy took a free desk near the back of the classroom and propped his board against the wall next to him. A moment later a 30ish woman carrying the textbook and some folders came in and wrote her name and the class information on the chalkboard while the room grew silent. The instructor introduced herself as Ms. Boardman, then began to take attendance. Jess listened intently as the names rang out, but so far Stacy hadn't replied.
"Gioli…Jessica?" The instructor had mispronounced her last name with a hard 'g'.
Jess perked up. "Here. And…um, it's Gioli." She said it with a soft 'g' the way she preferred.
"Thank you, noted. Harrison…Theresa?"
A short time later the instructor called out, "Peralta…Stacy?" and the cute blonde skateboarder nodded and stuck up his hand. Again, Jess was a bit confounded – wasn't that a Spanish last name? This guy looked about as Latino as Ursula Andress! California was turning out to be an interesting place of contrasts and contradictions. It was almost more of a melting pot than the states back East.
As the instructor handed out the course syllabus, Jess tried to turn her thoughts back to the class, but she remained aware of Stacy's presence just within her peripheral vision. When the class ended she gathered her things and walked out not far behind Stacy, who weaved through the crowded hall and headed for the nearest outside door with an economy of movement. So far Jess had seen some nice-looking guys here but for some reason he stood out above the others. Not just in height – she guessed he was just shy of six feet tall – but something about the way he carried himself seemed to set him apart. She got to the exit just in time to see him barrelling down the campus walkway on his board, doing some kind movement with his feet that made the board fishtail a bit, almost like he was – yeah, surfing! That's what it looks like he's doing, sidewalk surfing, Jess realized. Cool…
But her mood turned a little more sour as she came around a corner, headed toward the other building for her next class and saw Stacy sitting on a large concrete planter next to the girl Jess had seen picking him up from work. She was definitely pretty in that all-natural, atheletic California girl way. Straight, sandy-brown hair a few inches shorter than Stacy's, perfect nose, nice white teeth, dimples, the whole package. No makeup; her naturally glowing skin didn't need it. Jess instantly felt pale in comparison – in several ways. Although Stacy and the girl weren't touching, they seemed to have an easy, familiar way together from the way they were looking and laughing at each other. They seemed very much on the same wavelength to Jess, who looked straight ahead as she passed them and went inside, trying to ignore the girl's giggling at something inaudible that Stacy had just said to her. Oh well, Jess thought. What did I expect? All the cute ones are taken. But surely there's more guys equally as cute in this town. And anyway, I just got here! I don't need to date anyone just yet…do I?