My lips turned up into a smile. I already knew who it was. Searching the room, my glance landed on her. I was thankful no one was sitting next to her. I guess she didn’t know anyone in this class, either. With a pep in my step, I walked over to her.
Placing her backpack on the chair, Sarah looked up at me. “This seat’s taken.”
“I know.” I smiled.
As I started to grab her backpack, Sarah frantically asked, “Just what do you think you’re doing, Gabe?”
My body stopped moving. I loved hearing her say my name. Looking down into her gorgeous blue eyes, I smiled.
“What?” she asked.
I guess I was freaking her out the way I was just smiling at her. Shaking my head, I said, “Nothing.”
“Whatever.” I started to move the backpack from the chair again when Sarah said, “I told you this seat is taken.”
I smirked at her. “I know. I’m sitting here. Thanks, babe, for saving it for me.”
Groaning, she said, “I’m not your babe.” Swiping the backpack from my hands she said, “And keep your hands off my stuff.”
I shook my head. She really was a feisty one. I think most guys would’ve given up. She clearly didn’t want anything to do with me, but I didn’t care. Sarah Thompson was the first person I wanted but didn’t want me back. I only hoped that I could change her mind sooner or later.
“Whatever you say, princess,” I said as I sat down.
“I’m not your princess,” she muttered.
Turning to her, I whispered, “Not for long,” and smiled.
“Oh my God, you are so weird!” Placing her backpack down by the side of her chair, Sarah scooted her chair as far away from me as she could.
I wanted to talk to her but I figured I would give her some alone time.
It wasn’t long until our teacher came in. “Good morning, class. I’m Mr. Klein.” Turning to the dry erase board behind him, he said, “And this is Astronomy 1,” while writing the class down on the board.
He turned around to face us. “First off, I hate assigning seats, so you have given me the pleasure of choosing them yourselves. Thank you for that.”
I started to smile while Sarah groaned, “You have got to be kidding me.”
Turning to her, I said, “Hey buddy.”
“Leave me alone,” she whispered.
Giving her one last smile, I looked back towards Mr. Klein, who was still talking about what we would be learning this year. While someone passed out the syllabus, I couldn’t help but think, Well, at least we’re sitting next to each other.
***
As I sat down at the desk we shared in Astronomy together, Sarah didn’t look up from what she was writing down in her notebook. Releasing an annoyed breath, she said, “Hey.”
“What? You won’t even look at me?” I teased as I placed my book bag next to me on the floor and started to grab for my book and writing supplies.
“Nope,” she said as she popped the p.
After placing my school supplies on the desk, I turned to Sarah and nudged her in the arm.
“What do you want, Gabe?” she asked with an annoyed tone. She still hadn’t looked up at me.
“Oh, come on, babe,” I joked. “Why won’t you look at me?” I raised a finger. “Oh, I know! It’s because you know that once you look at me, you’ll remember our hot, steamy kiss—”
“Oh, shut up, Gabe!” Sarah yelled as she turned and smacked me on the arm.
With our roles reversed, I smiled at her. “Make me.”
She waved her hands in the air and let out a deep sigh. “God, I hate you, Gabe Prescott.”
“No, you don’t,” I countered back.
Dropping her arms onto the table, she groaned loudly. Resting her head in her arms, Sarah started to mumble to herself.
As I lowered my head, I leaned my body into hers and asked, “Babe, what’s wrong?”
“Stop calling me babe,” she mumbled.
Moving away from her and leaning back in my seat, I asked, “What? You don’t like babe?”
Sarah just shook her head.
“Why not? Every girl loves to be called babe.” This was news to me.
Sarah just shrugged her shoulders and let out a heavy breath. While her head still rested in her arms, she said, “I’m not a pig and I don’t want to be called one. I also hate the word cute. Or at least if a guy refers to me as cute.”
Shrugging, I tilted my head and said, “Well, I think you’re cute.”
After she lifted her head up from being nestled away in her arms, Sarah turned her head to glare at me.
“What?” I asked, amused. I seriously love this gorgeous weirdo.
“Cute?” she questioned.
Again I shrugged. “Yeah, I think you’re cute.”
“Oh my God,” she let out. “Cute is a word you use when you describe a puppy or a kitten. Or a little kid. Not a teenage girl. You use words like gorgeous and hot. Sexy and beautiful.”
Leaning into Sarah, I heard her breath hitch and her eyes grew double in size. My mouth pulled up in a grin. For a second I just stared at her. I swear I could get lost in her eyes. They were so big and bright and blue. They reminded me of the ocean, where the waves crashed back and forth.