CHAPTER Three

　　Gracie

　　I was sitting in my first class, tugging at the sleeves of my hoodie. I needed to make sure they never crawled up or people would see the bruises on my arms with the shape of my father’s fingerprints. He was drunk when I got home last night and was rough with me, the way he always is. At least the bruising on my side is easier to hide.

　　“Are you not melting in that hoodie” Lola chuckled from next to me.

　　“No, I am alright,” I giggled.

　　The truth was it was way too hot, but I couldn’t take it off. If I did, people would see and start asking questions. You can tell just by looking at them it was someone else’s hands that made those marks. I pushed my so-called father to the back of my mind, trying to concentrate on my class, but there was something else distracting me—the stranger from last night. I was still no closer to working out who he was. I don’t know if I would ever know who he is, or how he knows my name.

　　The class was interrupted with a knock on the door. It was the principal's secretary. Our math’s teacher Mrs Holland answered it, and talked to her for a minute before closing the door as she came back in.

　　“Gracie, the principal would like to see you in his office,” Mrs Holland said.

　　Why would he want to see me I don’t ever have to see him because I don’t get into trouble at school; it makes life that more manageable. Some of my fellow students oohed, all wondering why I was getting called to the office. I nodded, grabbing my things and heading out. I was nervous, racking my brain, wondering what I could have done wrong. I couldn’t think of anything. Maybe I wasn’t in trouble. It could be for many different reasons; well, I will keep telling myself that.

　　I took a deep breath before knocking on the door, waiting for the principal to call me in. It only took one knock before he did just that.

　　“You want to see me, Sir!” I said when I entered.

　　I looked up, realizing he was not alone. Someone was sitting across him at his desk.

　　“Yes, I would like for you to show our new student around. Ryland is in all of your classes and claims you two know each other,” he smiled.

　　Do we know each other How could I know someone who is new here I looked at him, confused.

　　“We do” I said.

　　The person whose back was to me turned to face me, a smirk playing on his lips.

　　“You have forgotten about me already, brown eyes,” he said.

　　No, it can’t be What is he doing here And why has he asked for me The mysterious, annoying, gorgeous guy from last night.

　　“You,” I said, the tone in my voice made it clear that I was surprised.

　　“I did tell you that I would see you again very soon,” he said smugly.

　　Ryland stood up and came over to me, taking his place in front of me, only a couple of inches between our bodies. My breath caught in my throat, having him extremely close to me once again.

　　“It is nice to meet you officially, Gracie,” he said, extending his hand to me.

　　The way my name fell from his lips was enough to send a shiver down my spine. I pulled myself together and placed my hand in his.

　　“Yeah, nice to put a name to the face,” I said as we shook hands.

　　“Did you think about me last night” he asked, sounding so sure of himself.

　　“A little, maybe,” I said.

　　“I thought so,” he said, still holding onto my hand, not breaking eye contact.

　　I couldn’t handle the way his eyes were burning into me. The look was intense, it felt like he could see right through me. We heard the principal clear his throat from behind Ryland, reminding the both of us where we were, so I quickly pulled my hand from Ryland’s, putting some distance between us.

　　“I would like you to stay with Ryland for the day. As I mentioned he is in all your classes, and if there are any issues you can report them straight to me, OK” the principal said.

　　I saw Ryland roll his eyes while the principal instructed me. Issues What does he mean

　　“Issues” I asked.

　　“Yes, he is referring to me not being the most well-behaved person,” Ryland shrugged.

　　“Yes, remember this is your last chance Ryland,” the principal pointed out sternly, and finished with “The two of you should get to class before it finishes,”

　　Great! That is all I need, a trouble maker.

　　“Yes Sir,” I answered lowly.

　　Ryland didn’t say anything; instead, he grabbed his bag and walked out. I sighed, heading out after him. He was waiting outside, standing against the wall.

　　“We could always ditch” he suggested.

　　“No, that is not going to happen,” I said, “I don’t do that,”

　　“Good girl” he asked.

　　“No, not quite,” I said, the consequences for me if I ever ditched school would be dyer, and not worth it.

　　“Meaning” he asked.

　　I didn’t answer his question. I started walking away, making my way back to class. I heard him running to catch up with me, soon appearing by my side.

　　“I take that as you’re not wanting to answer my question,” he said, “But I will find out your many secrets,” he made sure to add.

　　My many secrets How does he even know I have secrets I chose to ignore him when he suggested that too. He chuckled, finding me ignoring him amusing, apparently. I don’t know if I can handle him all day, but I don’t really have a choice.

　　It was close to lunchtime, needless to say the morning had been interesting. Ryland was an instant hit with the girls, not so much with the guys, some of which have said not so nice or welcoming things, but Ryland never took any of it from them. He stood his ground, and they all soon backed off.

　　“Are you joining us for lunch” Lola asked him as the last few minutes of class came around.

　　Now why would she do that I was hoping he would have lunch with someone else; it wasn’t like he lacked offers. Plus, I needed a break from him, even if only for a little while. I can’t take his charm, wit and flirting with me much longer.

　　“Yes, if that is alright,” he said, flashing his smile at her, “That OK, brown eyes” he added, turning to me.

　　I couldn’t turn around and say no, that would be rude of me. I smiled and nodded as it looked like he was joining my friends and me for lunch then. All I could think at that precise moment was how glad I would be when this day comes to an end. I don’t know what it was about him. He got to me. He got under my skin too easily. He was driving me crazy, and I don’t think he knows quite how much. I wish he would stop calling me brown eyes. My name is Gracie, not brown eyes!

　　The bell rang; everyone piling out. I sighed, taking my time. I think a part of me was hoping that if I took long enough, he would get annoyed and find someone else, but did he No, of course he didn’t. He waited for me, telling Lola and Brook to head to the lunch hall and get us a seat. I looked at my friends, begging them with my eyes not to leave me unescorted with him yet again. What did they do They smirked and sauntered off, leaving me all alone with him!

　　“Come on, what is taking so long” Ryland asked.

　　“I’m coming,” I said, hoping to hide my annoyance from him.

　　“If I never knew any better, I would think you don’t want me to join you for lunch, why is that” he queried smugly.

　　I have seen that smug look enough today, it was starting to piss me off. I don’t condone violence at all, but I found myself wanting to slap that stupid look off his handsome face!

　　“What gave you that impression” I asked, sarcasm in my tone.

　　“Come on now Gracie, don’t be like that,” he said, pouting at me, “Admit it, no matter how much I annoy you, you are enjoying having me around, it brings excitement to your usual dull life,” he added.

　　I let out a groan of frustration, throwing my hands in the air before storming out of the class. Yes, I was acting childish, I didn’t mean to, but I can’t handle Ryland around me.

　　Why can’t he go find some other girl to annoy for the rest of the day I am sure she would enjoy it better than I do. It’s not like I don’t like him, that isn’t it at all. It is more that he gets kicks out of annoying me, and when he is around me, I turn into some sort of a pathetic nervous wreck.

　　“I’m sorry, I promise to behave for the rest of the day,” Ryland chirped, catching up with me.

　　“Somehow, I don’t believe that,” I thought aloud, finding a small giggle falling from my lips when I said it.

　　“You are probably right, I don’t know how to behave,” he said.

　　I laughed, rolling my eyes. At least he is honest; I will give him that.

　　“I am curious, how did you know my name” I asked.

　　I have been with him the entire morning, but I have not asked him that question and I was still wondering how could he know my name.

　　“Let’s just say that last night wasn’t the first time I saw you around,” he said, “I have seen you a couple of times, you haven’t seen me though, and I know your name because I heard you friends saying it,” he volunteered a better explanation.

　　At least now I know that he isn’t some crazy assed stalker. Though I had not seen him before last night, I find it all a little strange. He saw me, but I never saw him, yet the first time I officially met him, he drew me straight in. I must not have been paying too much attention to what was happening around me on those days that he claims to have noticed me.

　　“And there was me thinking you were some crazy assed stalker,” I said.

　　“I still could be,” he replied, smirking at me.

　　“Try it, I will not hesitate to kick your damn ass,” I said firmly.

　　Ryland let out a loud laugh, the sort of laugh that drew attention. He did have such a beautiful and unique laugh. I can’t blame people for getting drawn into it. He slipped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me close to him.

　　“With you around, maybe this school will not be as bad as I thought,” he said.

　　I could feel people staring, wondering why the new sexy bad boy had his arm wrapped around me. I tried to ignore those stares, keeping my head down, and trying to hide my now red cheeks.

　　Why do I have a strong feeling that Ryland will not be leaving me alone anytime soon I was not sure what I thought about that, but at least I only need to see him at school, right

　　“If you say so,” I said, stifling out a laugh.

　　“I do,” he said confidently.

　　I too believe senior year may have just gotten a bit more interesting.