minutes before strolling out from the opposite side of the tree from where he caught me peeking. How the hell did he even know to look right at me? It was like he knew I was looking at him and exactly where I was.
I don't look up to see if they're still there, instead I keep heading straight for the front doors, blending in with all the other students.
In English class I feel a quick tap on my shoulder. I turn my head just enough so whoever it is knows I'm acknowledging them.
“Laura.”
“Hmm,” is my tiny reply.
“Hey, are you working at the diner tonight?” My brows furrow. I have a whole litany of questions running through my head. Who is this, how do they know I'm working, and where?
Without meaning to, my eyes connect with the blond guy behind me when I shift to see who’s questioning me. His eyes are a soft green, almost translucent, as he stares right back at me.
My mouth opens to answer and his head tips at exactly the same time. “Damn,” he whispers, his eyes rounded in surprise and I quickly glance away.
“Yes,” I answer when I'm fully facing forward. For the rest of the class I try to ignore that he's right behind me, and before today I had no clue. I never noticed.
It's almost easy when I remember how paranoid I was moments before, when I was worried over his question. I cannot turn into my mother.
The rest of the day progresses easily and my lunch routine has fallen into place nicely. Other than the first day when I ran into Dante and Delaney—that's cheer girl—I haven't seen anyone use this stairwell.
Though I have been trying really hard to stay away from her group. After the little shove yesterday she hasn't tried anything else, yet.
As I'm balling up my paper sack I hear what sounds like the tail end of someone speaking, “…seen her here before. What do you think she meant?”
“Who knows, but have you seen her eyes?”
“Do you think see knows?” asks a third voice.
Just as I move to stand, three guys round the landing. All of them stop dead when they see me. I'm frozen too. My book is still lying open on the step I just vacated and my bag is one step below, on the same riser I'm standing on now.
I'm trapped with the knowledge that they were talking about me, looking for me. Dante is the first to break the surprised spell we all seemed to be in. He shoves his hands in his front pockets and rounds down his shoulders. It does nothing to hide his bulk.
“Oh hey, Laura,” he says like they just happened upon me by accident. It's enough to unlock my muscles. I lower my eyes and contemplate an escape. I do not understand why they would be searching for me unless... unless they want to warn me off the diner. There certainly can't be any other reason.
Flashes of my mother telling me not to trust anyone scrolls through my mind, her warnings of how dangerous people can be, especially men. And these guys standing in front of me seem like they fit into that category more than your average teenage boy.
Looking at their shirts, I notice when the one on my left nudges Dante with his shoulder.
“This is Milo and Oliver. They said you're working at Maggie's?”
Great here it is. “I need that job,” I mutter hastily.
It's quiet for about two seconds. The blond, Oliver, steps in front of Dante. “Maggie said you've been a big help, thanks.”
My eyes jump to his face. He looks sincere. His soft green eyes are looking down at my hands and realize I'd been running my four fingers over my thumb in a nervous gesture.
“Really? You're not trying to get me to quit, or take my hours?” I ask, almost confused.
His head jerks back. “No. Why would you even think that?”
The bell rings before I have time to answer, not that I'd know how to answer that question anyway.
I scramble to collect my things when I sense someone move close behind me. “Here I can...” The voice trails off while I clutch my bag to my chest, backing away. I'm on the second floor now looking down at all three of them still gathered on the landing. The other one, Milo, opens his mouth like he might say something and I spin on my heel and flee. Even though my next class is on the