started, Dante jumps from his seat and stalks over to the teacher. Seconds later he's rushing out the door without looking back.
I've been watching the clock and the door for Dante’s return, so I know it's been exactly twenty-four minutes when he returns to class. He makes a stop at Mr. Adams’s desk, waiting for the conversation between him and a girl to stop. He raps his knuckles on the wooden surface quickly and they both turn to him. He speaks for a moment then returns to our shared table, while Mr. Adams and the girl stare at his back as he walks toward me.
The teacher’s eyes catch mine briefly before he gives a tiny shake of his head, seemingly bewildered, and then he looks again to the young lady at his side.
As soon as Dante sits down, he turns and looks at me, but I ignore it and pretend I'm engrossed in my work. “Laura?” he says hesitantly, seeming unsure.
“Hmm,” I mumble back.
“Did someone tell you... we're coming to the diner tonight?” I'm almost positive that wasn't what he was going to say, that he changed it at the last second.
“Um, no.” I shake my head in denial, confused why he'd asked me that and again a little worried they'll somehow jeopardized my job at Maggie's place.
“Well, me and the guys will be there. We usually come in a few nights a week.”
I finally look over at him. He seems stiff, maybe even a little uncomfortable. “Okay,” I drag out the word. “Did you not want me to be there? Cause I'm on shift tonight.”
Dante lifts his hand and runs it down his face, tugging on his chin a bit. He huffs out a heavy breath. “I already knew you'd be there, we asked Maggie.”
“And you don't want me to quit?” I question, keeping my eyes below his chin.
“No.” Now it's his turn to seem confused. “We're all happy that Maggie actually hired you. A few nights a week one of us usually ended up helping, not that we minded but we can't always be there when she needs someone.”
I can't help the small smile that tugs at my mouth. I'm so relieved I won't need to find another job. I bite the corner of my lip, then refocus on the portrait in front of me which actually looks like it's coming together.
“Laura,” the teacher calls as the girl he was speaking with passes our station.
With little thought, I grab for my paper and I end up pushing it across the worktop right toward Dante. His hand reaches out lightning fast and slaps over the paper before it can slide right past him and onto the floor. “Whoa,” I breathe out. He moved so damn fast I barely reacted.
He looks up at me then slowly slides the paper back over. “Got it,” he replies in a hushed tone.
I reflexively take the paper from his outstretched hand.
I shake off all the questions collecting at the tip of my tongue and make my way to Mr. Adams’s desk to discuss my project.
As we're finishing up Mr. Adams asks, “Would you mind letting Dante know he's up next?”
I give a quick nod of affirmation while gathering my things.
“Dante?” His head jerks up from his work when I all but whisper his name.
“Yeah?”
“Mr. Adams is ready for you.” His eyes dart from me to the front of the room. He doesn't get up like I expect. Instead, he looks at the clock.
“There's something else I wanted to talk to you about, will you wait for me if the bell rings?”
Talk to me? What more could he have to say? He must see the indecision on my face because he rushes out, “It's about what happened in the hallway yesterday.”
Now I get it. Delaney will be here when class gets over, she said so herself when she called goodbye before art started. I wonder what he expects from me. Is he trying to get me in trouble with her? He doesn't seem like the sort who would try to stir up trouble, but what do I know?
“I can't, I have to get to the diner.” The excuse falls from my lips almost immediately.
“Dante,” Mr. Adams calls, pulling my attention my hands where I’ve settled my gaze. Dante huffs out a heavy breath and his stool screeches back when he stands.
My shoulders round down, he seems pretty put out.
I can't focus enough to work the last several minutes of class. I've looked at the clock