I raise my hand with a question. “Yes, Miss Clark.”
“Oh, hi.” I’m taken aback. I’ve never had Mrs. Bouchard as a teacher. I didn’t think she knew who I was. “Um, can we wear our cheer uniforms or football jerseys on the float to support the other organizations we’re a part of?”
“That will be up to the group.”
“Um, okay, thank you,” I say.
“On the subject of clothing. In the past, I haven’t made the cheerleaders wear formal attire for the homecoming court presentation Friday night at the football game. But this year I’m requiring it. I know that’s not possible for the football players, but you, who are cheerleaders, have plenty of time to change before halftime. You’re already all decked out and sparkly. It shouldn’t be too much of an inconvenience.”
I glance at Leah. Her neck and face have turned bright red, and it looks like she’s holding her breath. Oh shoot! She’s pissed. Jack’s sitting in the desk next to her, and he grabs her hand and leans in, saying something I don’t hear. She finally takes a breath, but she still looks upset.
“If you have questions for me, stop by between classes, or you can email me. I wrote my email on the board, and it’s also in the teacher directory. You’re dismissed.”
Leah storms out of the classroom, Piper behind her and Beckett and Jack trailing after them. She’s probably going to talk to Coach Eskelson. She’s been acting as our cheer adviser since we still don’t have one.
I grab Ford’s hand. “Let’s go.”
“Oh, Clark?”
Dang it. I think about ignoring Bree and walking out of the classroom, but everyone is watching, including Mrs. Bouchard. I don’t want to appear catty and immature. I turn around. “Bree, hi.” I try to smile, but it feels weird, so I stop.
“I just wanted to say congratulations on your nomination.”
“Uh, thanks, you too—bye.” I pull on Ford’s arm and run out of the room. She yells something else at me, but I don’t hear it.
“You can slow down now.” Ford tugs on my arm, but I don’t stop until I turn down A hall. I glance back at Ford, quirking a smile and winking at him.
“Really?”
I don’t answer him and turn the knob to the janitor’s closet. This time when I open the door, it’s empty. Ford pushes me inside and shuts and locks it. “It’s dark in here.”
“That’s the idea.” Ford laughs. There are a couple of clicking sounds, and he turns on the flashlight app from his phone and slides it into his front pant pocket, giving us a bit of light.
I wrap my arms around his waist. “Say something in French, anything.”
Ford chuckles, then leans down, kissing my neck. “Je t’aime aujourd’hui.” He kisses my jaw. “Je t’aimerai demain et je t’aimerai, la semaine prochaine.” He kisses my nose. “Jusqu’à ce que nous atteignions l’éternité.” Finally, his lips cover mine. I have no idea what he said, but my heart is jumping up and down for joy, and the rest of my organs have turned into jelly. I slip my hand under his shirt, tracing the hills and valleys of his abs. Touching him like this comforts me. We kiss and touch until the five-minute warning bell rings.
“I don’t want to leave,” I say, trailing kisses across the slope of his cheek.
“Hmm, me either. Let’s study tomorrow night after practice. My mom will be home.”
I smile into his mouth. “What are we going to study?”
“I’ll help you with that retched calculus you’re struggling with.”
“I do hate calculus, but I’m not so sure about the struggling part.”
“Then I’ll give you a French lesson.” Ford rests his forehead against mine.
“Now that’s a great idea.”
Tuesday’s theme for Homecoming Spirit Week is heroes and villains. Ford shows up twenty minutes early with another t-shirt for me to wear. “Oh, my gosh!” I stare at him, dumbfounded. He’s wearing a Captain America shirt, and he has a Winter Soldier shirt for me.
“They’re only enemies in one movie, but I think we can get away with it,” he says, smiling. I love that he’s willing to indulge me and my fancies. Before we leave for school, I make my mom take pictures of us. I’m so excited about it.
When we get to school, kids whisper and stare. I step closer to Ford, wrapping my arm around his. I’m shaking by the time we get to our lockers. “What’s going on? Are there new pictures?”
Ford backs me up against the lockers, cupping his hands around my face. “We’ll find out. Let me call Jack. He went over to Leah’s this morning.” I nod, feeling frantic. “Hanny, Baby, look at me. Look me in the eyes.” I stare into his hazel eyes and take a couple of deep breaths, and repeat in my head.I can only control my actions, not the actions of others.“How are you feeling? Better?”
