7. Did Vald just spoke to me! Part 1

Ivory's Pov

The rest of the week was uneventful. I got used to the routine of my classes. By Friday I was able to recognize, if not name, almost all the students at school.

In Gym, the kids on my team learned not to pass me the ball and to step in front of me. If the other team tried to take advantage of my weakness. I happily stayed out of their way.

Vald Evans didn't come back to school.

Every day, I watched anxiously until the rest of the Evans entered the cafeteria without him. Then I

could relax and join in the lunchtime conversation. Mostly it centered around the party at the boathouse bar and grill in two weeks.

I was invited, and I had agreed to go, more out of politeness than desire. Partying is not my thing. 

By Friday I was perfectly comfortable entering my Biology class. No longer worried that Vald would be there. For all I knew, he had dropped out of school. I tried not to think about him. But I couldn't suppress the worry that I was responsible for his continued absence. Ridiculous as it seemed.

My first weekend in Aberdeen passed without a incident. I had asked mom about the Evans family but she didn't know much.

The rain stayed soft over the weekend, quiet, so I was able to sleep well.

People greeted me in the parking lot Monday morning. I didn't know all their names, but I waved back and smiled. It was colder this morning, but happily not raining.

In English, Luke took his accustomed seat by my side. We had a pop quiz on Wuthering Heights. It was very easy.

All in all, I was feeling a lot more comfortable than I had thought I would feel by this point. More

comfortable than I had ever expected to feel here.

When we walked out of class, the air was full of swirling bits of white. I could hear people shouting excitedly to each other. The wind bit at my cheeks, my nose.

"Wow," Luke said. "It's snowing."

I looked at the little cotton fluffs that were building up along the sidewalk and swirling past my face.

"Ew, Snow."

There went my good day.

He looked surprised. "Don't you like snow?"

"No. That means it's too cold for rain." Obviously. "Besides, I thought it was supposed to come down in flakes. You know each one unique and all that. These just look like the ends of Q-tips."

"Haven't you ever seen snow fall before?" He asked.

"Sure I have." I paused. "On TV."

Luke laughed. And then a big, squishy ball of dripping snow smacked into the back of his head. We both turned to see where it came from and saw Jess grinning.

"I'll see you at lunch, okay?" I kept walking as I spoke. "Once people start throwing wet stuff, I go inside."

He just nodded, his eyes on Jess.

Throughout the morning, everyone chattered excitedly about the snow. Apparently it was the first snowfall of the new year. I kept my mouth shut. Sure, it was drier than rain — until it melted in your socks.

I walked alertly to the cafeteria with Abby after Spanish. Mush balls were flying everywhere. I kept a binder in my hands, ready to use it as a shield if necessary. Abby thought I was hilarious. But something in my expression kept her from lobbing a snowball at me herself.

As we got in line to buy food. I glanced toward that table in the corner, and then I froze where I stood. There was three of them seated at the table.

"Ivory, what do you want?" Abby asked.

I looked down; my ears were hot. I had no reason to feel self-conscious, I reminded myself. I hadn't done anything wrong.

"What's with Ivory?" Luke asked.

"Nothing," I answered. "I'll just get a soda today." I caught up to the end of the line.

"Aren't you hungry?" Abby asked.

"Actually, I feel a little sick." I said, my eyes still on the floor.

I waited for them to get their food, and then followed them to a table, my eyes on my feet.

I sipped my soda slowly, my stomach churning. Twice Jayden asked, with unnecessary concern, how I was feeling.

I told him it was nothing, but I was wondering if I should play it up and escape to the nurse's office for the next hour?

Ridiculous. I shouldn't have to run away.

I decided to allow myself one glance at the Evans table. If he was glaring at me, I would skip Biology, like the coward I was.

I kept my head down and glanced up under my lashes. I kept my head down and glanced up under my lashes. None of them were looking this way. I lifted my head a little.

They were all laughing. Haden and Vald had their hair entirely saturated with melting snow.

I examined Vald, his skin was less pale, flushed from the snow fight maybe. The circles under his eyes much less noticeable. But there was something more. I pondered, staring, trying to isolate the change.

"Ivory, what are you staring at?" Jess intruded, her eyes following my stare.

At that precise moment, his eyes flashed over to meet mine.

I dropped my head, letting my hair fall to conceal my face. I was sure, though, in the instant our eyes met, that he didn't look harsh or unfriendly as he had the last time I'd seen him. He looked merely curious again, unsatisfied in some way.

"Vald is staring at you," Jess giggled in my ear.

"He doesn't look angry, does he?" I couldn't help asking.

"No." she said, sounding confused by my question. "Should he be?"

"I don't think he likes me," I confided. I still felt queasy. I put my head down on my arm.

"Well, he always wears a frown and had never given anyone a time of the day. But he's still staring at you."

"Stop looking at him," I hissed.

She snickered, but she looked away. I raised my head enough to make sure that she did.

Considering violence if she resisted.

Jayden interrupted us. He was planning an epic battle of the blizzard in the parking lot after school and wanted us to join. Jess agreed enthusiastically. The way she looked at him left little doubt that she would be up for anything he suggested.

I kept silent.

For the rest of the lunch hour I very carefully kept my eyes at my own table. I decided to honor the

bargain I'd made with myself. Since he didn't look angry, I would go to Biology. My stomach did frightened little flips at the thought of sitting next to him again.

After the bell had rung we headed for the entrance. But when we went to the door, everyone besides me groaned in unison. It was raining, washing all traces of the snow away down the side of the walkway. I pulled my hood up, secretly pleased.

Once inside the classroom, I saw with relief that my table was still empty. Mr. Gordon was walking around the room, distributing beakers, stir rods, and test tubes. Class didn't start for a few minutes, and the room buzzed with conversation. I kept my eyes on my notebook doodling idly on the cover of my notebook.

I heard when the chair next to me moved but my eyes stayed focused on the pattern I was drawing.

"Hello," said a quiet musical voice.