Chapter 4

It was Friday and Deanna was sitting in her second period class ignoring the whispers around her as the other students talked about her and what had happened a couple of days ago. She let her hair fall over the right side of her face to cover most of the bruise that stood out now against her tan skin. Her lip was still a little puffy and the small gash was healing. The bell rang for the class to begin, and everyone moved to their seats as the teacher got up to take the roll and begin the class. She was finishing with the last name when the door to the classroom opened, and a student stepped into the room.

Deanna glanced that way for a moment and quickly whipped her head back around when she recognized the student standing at the teacher's desk giving her a note. It was the stranger that had helped her when she had been attacked. She sat up in her desk and stared wide eyed at him as her mouth dropped open. Deanna realized how she must look, and quickly snapped it shut when he looked her way, a twitch of a smile playing on his lips and a mischief sparkle in his eyes. She blushed at being caught staring, but now that she wasn't on an adrenaline rush, she gave him a more thorough once over.

He was handsome, but not drop dead gorgeous. His hair could use a decent cut, but it was full, wavy and framed his face, hanging to his shoulders. His body was muscular, and his face was tanned with a hint of stubble making him look older, and his clothes looked used and worn. She noticed the hint of a scar on his temple that disappeared into his hair and wondered where he got it. He had a small pack over one shoulder and waited patiently as the teacher read the note. He could feel all the students' eyes on him and paid it no mind.

"Class we have a transfer student that is going to be joining us. Please welcome Quill Williams to the school," the teacher announced. "Have a seat in that empty desk over by the window Mr. Williams."

Quill looked out into the classroom at the curious faces staring at him. He strolled across the front of the room to the empty seat behind Deanna. He sat down and leaned forward slightly to whisper to her.

"Nice to see you again," he mumbled into her ear.

Deanna jerked, almost like she had been shocked and knocked her book off her desk. She started to bend over to pick it up and came face to face with Quill who was reaching for the book too. He picked it up and laid it back on her desk giving her a wink.

Deanna tried to thank him but couldn't get the words to come out. She cleared her throat feeling her face growing hot as the teacher started the class.

"Deanna, can you share your book with Quill until I can get him one?" the teacher asked her, making her almost panic.

Deanna drew in a slow breath, and turned in her seat, opening the textbook and laying it on his desk so he could see too. She tried to act natural about it as the teacher started the class. It was hard for her to concentrate with Quill being this close and she didn't know why. She could feel the eyes of the other students on them and tried to overlook the vibes she was getting from them.

Quill looked at Deanna's profile as she tried to ignore him and couldn't help but smirk slightly. He thought she was nice on the eyes, but not the prettiest girl in school. There was something about her that set her apart from the other young women he had seen and met so far at this school. He slowly took in her scent, letting it fill his nostrils and closed his eyes into slits as he committed it to memory.

"Quill," Deanna hissed softly. "She asked you a question."

Quill shook himself from his thoughts and quickly pulled up the question and gave the right answer. The teacher continued and chose another student for the next question. He picked up Deanna's heartbeat quickening when their fingers touched trying to turn a page. Neither of them said anything and when the bell finally rang, Deanna grabbed her book and pack and hurried from room without a backward glance.

"Mr. Williams, if you'll wait, I'll get you a book for this class," the teacher told him.

"Sure," he nodded getting up and moving to her desk to wait.

By the time Quill got the book and headed into the hallway, Deanna was long gone. He sniffed the air and caught her scent, but it went in the opposite direction of where he needed to go. With a sigh, he headed down the hall to his next class hoping maybe they would meet again in another class or at lunch.

spn

Deanna finally had her confused emotions under control by the time lunch came around. She grabbed a green tea from the vending machine and headed outside to her favorite spot where she could eat in peace. She had found a place that was shielded from the wind and allowed the sunlight to warm the area, making it comfortable even with it being cooler outside. She sat down on the ground and leaned back against the warm cement wall and relaxed for a moment before pulling her lunch bag from her pack.

"Hi again," a male voice startled her as a shadow fell across her face. "Mind if I join you?"

"N-No…It's, it's fine…" Deanna stammered before clearing her throat and moving over to make room and where she would be further away from him. She felt self-conscious since she didn't have much experience with dating and talking to guys than she might like. Sam had been strict about her dating and made her wait until she was fifteen and only then if she was with other couples.

"Thanks," Quill replied easing down to the ground beside her. He opened a lunch bag and pulled out a small bag of jerky. He pulled a piece out and offered some to her. "Would you like a piece? It's homemade."

"Okay," Deanna replied taking a small piece and popping it in her mouth. She slowly chewed letting the flavors explode in her mouth. "This is good. My uncle would love it. Would you like half a sandwich? It's nothing fancy, just ham and cheese."

"Sure," he said accepting half of her sandwich. He took a small bite and chewed thoughtfully thinking it wasn't bad. He didn't usually eat food like this but could. "How's the lip?" he asked when he saw her wince slightly after taking a bite of her sandwich.

"It's healing," she replied. "What happened to you afterwards? You disappeared as suddenly as you appeared."

"I don't like attention and I saw you were okay, so I left," he shrugged the question off. "Does that happen often to you? Being attacked by assholes like that?"

"They've had it out for me since I started high school. I refused to go out with any of them and don't treat them like god's gift to women. They're all assholes," she snarled.

"I agree with you. That's no way to treat a young woman by any means."

"Where did you move from?" Deanna asked trying to change the subject.

"Washington state, near the coast."

"Never been there, but I have been to Oregon and Idaho and Colorado and some of the southern states too."

"So, you're a traveler too."

"I guess. I went with my Dad and Uncle on some…Business trips. I was born in Louisiana but was raised here in South Dakota. Do you live in town?"

"No, my family lives on a large farm out in the county. It's about thirty minutes from town. We're settling in at the moment. Where did you learn to fight? You were doing rather good when I stepped in."

"My Dad and uncle. Uncle Dee wanted me to be able to defend myself. He was a good teacher. How about you? Who taught you to fight?"

"Older brothers."

"What other classes do you have this afternoon?"

"History, Creative Writing, and study hall."

"I have Creative Writing and study hall too. We may be in the same class."

"That would be nice."

"Oh, I still have your shirt at home. I'll wash it and get it back to you next week."

"No hurry, I have plenty of others. Keep it if you want," he shrugged, giving her a sideways glance and smirky smile. "It'll let you remember the first time we met."

"Ummm…Thanks…" Deanna said shyly.

They finished their meal making some small talk before it was time for them to head back inside and to their next class. They parted ways as the first bell rang signaling, they had ten minutes to get to their next class. Deanna and Quill ended up having Creative Writing and study hall together, which both were pleased with.

Deanna changed where she usually sat to sit beside Quill, and they sat at the same table in study hall. She told him where the library and gym were and the quickest and easiest ways to get around the school. They worked on their homework together and got most of it done. She helped him with English, and he helped her with Math. They exchanged cell numbers before heading in different directions to get ready to leave school.

Deanna made her way to her locker and swapped out books before heading to the student parking lot. She dropped into the driver's seat and tossed her pack into the other seat. After checking around her, Deanna pulled from the spot and headed for the exit. She pulled onto the road and headed for the salvage yard. A loud rumbling noise behind her got her attention and she looked in her rear-view mirror to see a motorcycle following her. She didn't give it much thought as it stayed behind her all the way to the salvage yard and drove on past when she turned onto the driveway and drove through the gate.

Deanna thought if Quill did act like he liked her, she would contact Jody to have lunch and talk to her about guys and relationships. She hoped he did because she was interested in him. She had never been serious about any guy she had met, and this was unfamiliar territory for her. She knew she could talk to her father or uncle but decided it would be good to talk to a female first and if she had other questions then go to her Dad or Uncle Dean.

Grabbing her pack, Deanna got out of her car and headed inside, lost in her thoughts. She didn't notice Bobby as he walked from his office and studied her as she strolled toward the kitchen, humming to herself with a happy expression on her face. He got the feeling something was going on with her but didn't question her about it. He turned and went back into the office to finish his research knowing if she needed to talk, she would.

A/N: Deanna gets to know the new transfer student a little better. She thinks she has feelings for him but is not sure how he feels about her. Thanks for coming along for the ride. Reviews/Comments make my day. NC