6: Zander Who?......who?

(Picture is of Zander)

Gracen's view

About a week and a half passed since I started going to my new school and everything has been going good. Unfortunately, still have the crush on the very beautiful Emery, who is my friend. Over the past few days, she has literally gotten to know so much about me, but I still barely know anything about her. It's a good that Ethan told me about the adoption, otherwise I wouldn't have much to turn in for literature. But it's my goal to get her to open up to me eventually. Maybe I should invite her to hang out sometime. Maybe she will loosen up if we aren't in a school setting all the time.

During lunch, I try to come up with some kind a plan to get Emery to hang out with me, when I suddenly hear,

"Oh my God, how could you not tell that Zander has a thing for you Emery! He's practically been crushing on you since last year," squeals Clare.

Dang it. Why does Emery have to be so attractive. I can't bear to see her with any guys for a while. Who the heck is this Zander guy, thinking he can make a move on her. Gosh, I sound like such a jealous girlfriend, but we aren't even together!

"Zander who?" I asked.

"The guy who sits behind us in second period," replied Emery looking tired. I wonder if she's been getting enough rest, she seems to be more tired this week than normal. Is something wrong with her?

"The guy with dreamy brown eyes and a sharp jawline. He's so hot!!," stated Clare.

"Too bad, Emery's into blue and green eyes, especially green eyes," chuckled Jordie. Emery immediately looks at me in shock and proceeds to punch him on the shoulder. Well that was a nice information to get, good thing I have green eyes then. Better chance for me.

I start to smile and blush as I see the percentage of possibly Emery and I getting into a relationship rise and out of the corner of my eyes I notice that Ethan is giving me a weird look. He starts to raise his eyebrow and smirks as if he knows something. Luckily before he can say anything the bell rings.

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Emery's view

Unfortunately, I have to walk home today because Aiden has Lacrosse practice and Ethan is at an engineer club meeting. I take a shortcut through the parking lot and hear my name being called.

"Hey Emery. How are you?" Asks Zander out of breath.

"Hey Zander. I'm good, just walking home now. But, why do you look so out of breath and sweaty?" I replied. I must admit, he's a cute looking guy. He reminds me of a teddy bear compared to his other friends.

"Oh, I just finished weight lifting. Do you want a ride home?" He asked politely.

"Umm you know I'm actually fine. I ............," that was all I could say before Gracen interrupted.

"Hey Zander. I'm actually supposed to be giving her a ride home," she smiled at him and me. I looked at her confusingly and just go along with it because I wasn't really in a talking mood. I don't want to have an awkward car ride with Zander.

"Oh okay. I guess I'll let you guys be on your way then. Though, if you ever need a ride Emery, I can help or if you ever want to hang out," he adds. He gives us a dashing smile and gets in his car and leaves.

I turn to Gracen and say thanks and turn to leave. As I'm walking away, she grabs my hand to stop me and our hands graze each other's. You know in movies when two people fall in love and feel that electricity when they touch or kiss, yeah, I felt that with Gracen. However instead of doing something romantic or smooth, I turn beet red and just stare at her. Great.

"Not so fast," she giggles (god I love that laugh), " I said I was giving you a ride."

"But it was an excuse to get Zander to leave me alone," I blurt out.

She laughs, "We'll not anymore. Come on...... well, follow me to my car or do I have to carry you to my car?"

My cheeks turn a deeper shade of red and I immediately answer, "No no, I'll follow." Although I wouldn't mind getting touched by her again, or getting carried. Nope, stop thinking like that about her. She's just being friendly. Remember Emery, she's a friend, not a dateable person.

As we get into her car, I give her the directions to my house. The first few minutes of the car ride are full of awkward silence. There are times like these where I hate being such a shy person.

"Hey, so I was thinking we could meet up over the weekend to start our chemistry project and might as well work on the getting to know each other literature project. What do you think?" She asks.

My heart starts racing rapidly. She wants to hang out with me?!? Well for the chemistry and literature projects, but still. I probably looked like a flustered fish that was having trouble breathing. I was so deep in thought about trying to remain calm, that I didn't hear Gracen talking to me.

"Emery? EMERY?"

"Sorry. Yes, I would like to," I blurt out.

She immediately gives me an adorable smile. And a few minutes later, we arrive at my house, and Gracen parks the car. We sit there for a few seconds, neither one if us saying anything or moving, just letting the silence overwhelm us. I wish I could say something to break the silence, but I'm blanking. Then finally Gracen says,

"Well here we are. So, I'll pick you up Saturday around noon so we can do whatever you want. You know the area better than me."

I nod my head trying to look the other way so she won't notice my blush. I didn't know how else to thank her, so I settle for a handshake, don't ask why, I know it's weird. However, as I extend my arm out, she does something unexpected. She gives me a hug, any other time and I would have hugged her back, but she touched my left side first because of our position in the car. So of course, I freaked out and backed away.

"Umm I better go inside, my mom is probably waiting. Bye, Gracen. Thanks again. See you Saturday. Or well actually tomorrow because we still have school," I blurt out as fast as I can while getting out of her car. I know I upset her by the look on her face, but I needed to get out of there. I fast walk to my house and quickly get in.

Well now I probably look like an insane person to Gracen. Great. She'll probably think there's something wrong with me and I don't blame her.