18
Jessica
It was Monday morning, and I knew exactly where he’d be.
I walked up the steep hill, and my eyes glided over the willow tree as I approached. The narrow-leaved branches swung in the wind, and I tied my curls into a ponytail before I reached the top. I wasn’t in the mood for a fight, but fights weren’t always conveniently scheduled.
I trudged over the grass, hoping my adrenaline would appear, but I froze when I saw him. Eric sat beneath it, his body leaning against the trunk like it was his personal La-Z-Boy. His arms were propped behind his head, and his hair was matted to the bark as he closed his eyes and listened to his music.
“Welborn!”
He didn’t move, and I hesitated stepping closer. He was asleep.
His shaggy brown hair blew against his forehead, and his chest rose slowly as he snored beneath his breath. His fingertips twitched in his lap, and his eyelashes batted as his eyes moved beneath his eyelids. He was dreaming.
I sighed and sat in front of him, unable to leave. I’d come this far, hadn’t I?
My gaze shifted above him, and I studied the elongated shrub. The branches were slender, but the trunk was toughened from years of weather. Even in the unusual climate, the leaves were vibrantly green, and I wondered why it was the only willow tree I’d seen in the Midwest, let alone Hayworth. The plant was out of its usual environment, yet this one showed no signs of dying.
It thrived.
“Beautiful; isn’t it?”
I startled, gaping at Eric as he tilted his face, staring at me with his emerald eyes. “You’re awake,” I said, and he smiled.
“Looks that way.”
“I didn’t mean to wake you up,” I said.
“Better you wake me up than stare at me,” he said, and my cheeks burned. He chuckled, gathering his things. “It was a joke.”
“Right.”
He glanced over, but he was no longer smiling. “I’m sorry I didn’t show up Friday,” he said. “I honestly tried, but something came up.”
My fingernails dug into the grass. “I didn’t show anyway,” I lied, and he turned his face away, but not enough. I saw his smile.
“Whatever you say, Jessica.”
He used my full name again, and I tensed. What was with this guy?
“When do you want to reschedule?” he said. “It’s due next week.”
My heart stopped. “Reschedule?”
He turned to me and raised his brow. “Unless you didn’t want to.”
“No,” I said quickly, practically spitting on him. “I want to.”
“Are you available tonight?” he asked, standing as the warning bell rang. “We can meet at my house.”
His house?
“Unless that’s intrusive—”
“It’s not,” I said, unable to stand with him. I was afraid I’d fall over in shock.
He nodded, reaching into his bag to pull out paper. I stopped him. “I know where you live,” I said, and his brow rose as he smirked.
“Maybe you were staring at me,” he said, chuckling.
“Robb showed me.” The words left before I could stop them.
He looked away. “I see.”
“So how about seven?” I asked, hoping to change the subject. This time, I sprang to my feet, and Eric’s eyes glided over my every move. He was so intense.
“Sounds good.”
“Jess!” Crystal’s shout shattered over the courtyard, but only Eric turned to look toward her.
“Looks like you have to go,” he said.
“Yeah,” I agreed, but I was unable to tear away from him. “I guess I do.”
He turned away from the school and started toward the street, but I shouted after him. “Where are you going?” I asked, pointing behind me. “School’s that way.”
He walked backward downhill as if he practiced it. “I need to get stuff done, if I’m going to be able to help you tonight,” he said, spinning back around and ending the conversation.
Stuff?
“Jess,” Crystal panted as she finished her climb. “What are you doing up here—” Then she stopped and raised her dark brow, watching Eric as he neared the street. An old BMW pulled up, and he got in the passenger seat, driving away before I could fathom his absence.
“That was Welborn, wasn’t it?” she asked, apparently as shocked as I was.
I nodded. “And I’m going to his house tonight.”
Crystal dug her manicured nails into my arm. “You’re joking.”
“No,” I said. “We made plans.”
“What kind of plans?”
“What do you think?” I pulled away from her and stormed down the hill. Her gossip was beginning to bother me.
“Eric Welborn doesn’t make plans with anybody,” she said, sliding over the morning dew after me. “I wouldn’t go.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s weird—”
“Let it go, Crystal,” I said, rolling my eyes. “I’m going whether you like it or not; he’s my science partner.”
She folded her arms and glared at the school. “Good luck with that.”
“Thanks,” I said. “But I don’t need it.”