She warned me how she saw someone angry in my life. At that moment, a vision of Cody with his hands around my neck appeared. I pushed it aside and focused on the positive. He would come back for me. I would marry him, someday.
“Nope.” I leaned back in my chair, confident that she wouldn’t call on me.
“Well, then, why don’t you come up to the board and solve the second problem on page two-fifty-six?”
Dammit. I knew better than to talk back or resist. Last semester, a kid refused to work on a problem, and she gave him detention. She insisted on her studentsactually learning, not skating through with little effort.
Heat rose up my neck as I grabbed the piece of chalk between my fingers. I pursed my lips and copied the problem from the book. Surely some of this training had been lodged in my memory, somewhere.
I searched and tried to remember anything but being under pressure caused me to freeze. If I didn’t even try, she would give me extra problems and possibly make me stay after school. I had to work, so that couldn’t happen today.
With my eyes closed, I thought about Cody and our future. I wouldn’t need Geometry to be his wife and the mother of his kids. However, I did need to do well in this class. I opened my eyes and saw that the answer to the question had already been written. My subconscious obviously understood this stupid class.
“Very good, Kennedy. I knew you had it in you.” Mrs. Wilson winked, then whispered, “Nice boots,” as I passed.
MUFFLED MUSICreached my ears as we passed by a set of double doors. Students filled the hallway as they waited to check in their coats. Brittany handed hers to the attendant, but I decided to keep my jacket on. “We Belong Together” played over the speakers, I could tell by the beat, but was not able to make out the words.
God, I hope all the songs aren't this lame tonight.
Halloween decorations hung from the ceiling, bopping kids on the head as they bounced off each other and, literally, off the walls. Ghosts, witches, and black cat posters covered the front of the glass cases, which contained football and basketball trophies.
My new boots hurt my feet, but I didn’t care. They were cute as hell. Brittany talked me into pairing an old-school jean skirt with a white tank top and a leather jacket to complete the ensemble. I liked it; I felt sexy.
Brittany wore the classic “little black dress” I had bought for her. It clung to her curves and she continuously pulled on the hem which barely reached mid-thigh. The long, stuffed tail and perky ears attached to a headband completed the sexy cat costume. I drew on whiskers with eyeliner just before we left her house.
“Cool it, Brit. If you keep yanking on the material, it will stretch out.”
“But it's too short.” Brittany pulled on the hem, again, and squirmed.
“It’s sexy as hell,” I said.
I lifted my chin as I turned to investigate a sound behind me. Warm hands covered my eyes, and someone whispered in my ear, “Guess who?” His breath on my neck made me shiver.
Cody wasn’t due back from college until Christmas. I could barely contain my excitement but wanted to playit cool. Obviously, there was only one possibility of who it was; I was in a playful mood, though. “Brian?”
“No.” He chuckled.
“Justin?”
“No.” He huffed and tightened his grip.
I wondered how far I could take the joke and said, “Sam. It must be Sam.” I couldn't help myself. I knew it was Cody, but he didn't know I knew.
Brittany snickered in the background.
“What the hell, how many names are you going to go through?” Cody released my head and turned me around by my shoulders. Looking down, he searched my face. The second my lips twitched into a grin, his hands went to my hips, and he pulled me to him. My arms naturally rested over his shoulders.
“God, I missed you.” He lowered his head, hesitated for a split second before he pressed his lips to mine. It seemed like the soft, sweet kisses lasted for hours, but it only took seconds before Brittany rudely interrupted.
“Dude, get a room.”
She had admitted earlier in the day how she felt like the third wheel. I assured her she wasn’t, but she kinda was. I secretly hoped one of the cute guys would ask her to dance so she wouldn’t feel like she didn’t belong.
I hip-checked Cody. “I knew it was you the whole time. I don't even know a Sam.”
“Yeah, whatever.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and squeezed a little too hard. An adorable smirk crossed his lips.
“You taste like Cinnamon. Got anymore?” Cody raised one eyebrow, knowing I had gotten into some Fireball.
