A shriek somewhere between a delighted giggle and a witch’s evil chortle resounded through the once silent, vaulted ceilings of the library where I was desperately trying to finish up my paper before the library closed.
I had thought that retreating to the farthest corner of the library would be the best place to remain undisturbed. Oh how wrong I had been.
So far, about half the kids in my school had thought the same, for entirely different reasons. Blushes had abounded, including mine. So when I heard the irritating shrieker getting closer I couldn’t hold in my moan of frustration. I did not want to know who thought little Miss Shrieky Giggles would be a good kisser. And I definitely did not want another guy laughing at me for actually doing my homework in the back of the library.
Apparently my groan was loud enough to be heard from several rows away because the giggling abruptly stopped. I hadn’t even been found and I was already blushing.
Lady Shrieks-a-lot stumbled around the end of the last row of books blocking me from sight and began laughing. It wasn’t much better than her attempt at flirtatious giggling. Seeing Heather, I wished deep down that Owen, her latest fling, would not be with her.
I know that wishing for Owen to not be there was a dumb thing to wish. I mean, who else would she be sneaking around the back parts of the library with? Actually I take that back. With her, she could have showed up with any boy from school and I wouldn’t have been too surprised. Heather had a tendency to flit through boyfriends like a mosquito flitted from one unwitting blood donor to another.
“Don’t worry. It’s just some loser doing her homework. She won’t care.” I heard her mock whisper.
Of course fate chose to not smile down on me as Owen rounded the corner. One look at me and his jaw went tight.
Why was he mad at me? I didn’t ask for them to come back here and embarrass me.
Heather dragged Owen to the table next to mine and tried to pull him in for a kiss. I closed my eyes in frustration, or maybe it was from utter embarrassment. They wouldn’t sit there and make out right in front of me, would they? I mean I know that in Heather’s eyes I wasn’t even there but it would still be unbelievably awkward.
However, Owen didn’t allow himself to be pulled in. Despite her attempts at cutely grabbing his jacket to draw him to her, he did not move. He remained where he was, glaring at me.
“What are we doing here Heather?” He growled in a half whisper, moving his head enough to be looking at her while still keeping me in sight. I shivered. I couldn’t figure out why he looked so irritated with me. Well, other than the fact that I was ruining his chance at kissing his girlfriend.
Maybe they would just go away like all the others had.
Heather tugged again on Owen’s jacket, trying to get his full attention. “Aww come on Owen. I told you I wanted to show you something.”
He shook his head. “No.”
Heather flung her arms around him and landed her bubblegum glossed lips on his. I slumped further into my chair and refocused on my open history book.
Nope. It was not to be.
When Owen not too gently pushed Heather away she once again glanced my way, her gaze hardening as she took in my mess of books and papers.
Heather sauntered over and shut my book. “Beat it, loser.”
I didn’t have time to do more than glare up at her before Owen was beside her, all 5’11” gorgeousness of a senior.
“Quit it Heather. She was here first.” His arms were crossed and his heated gaze took in my scattered papers. “Lampton’s essay?”
I nodded. Maybe I nodded for longer than was really necessary. To be honest, I was a little stunned he could recognize what homework I was working on with just a glance.
“You know her?” Heather gaped at him.
Owen ignored her, peering down at my stuff and tapped the paragraph I had been currently crossing out for the third time. “Need help?”
“I…uh…” I couldn’t think of how to retreat from the glare being leveled at me in combination with Owen being so heart-stoppingly close. Heather was going to kill me and I hadn’t done anything. My gaze flicked up to Heather. “You seem a little busy.”
Owen glanced over at where Heather was tapping her foot impatiently, looking ready to smack him or maul me with her bare hands. I’m not sure which. Or maybe it was both. With a shrug he pulled out the chair across from me and plopped down.
“Owen!” Heather shrieked.
From where I was sitting, now hidden from Heather’s view since he was facing me, I could see him taking a deep breath as he tried to wipe off a very irritated scowl from his face. In seconds it was gone, replaced by his normal charming smirk as he turned to look at Heather.
“My mom promised you one date with me. You tricked me into agreeing to meeting you here. I think I’m going to help Stacey with her essay now.” He turned back towards me and blinded me with a dazzling smile altogether different from the look he had given Heather.
My breath stalled when he said my name. How did he know my name? How was I even on his radar? I didn’t think he even knew I existed. It was a struggle to get my breathing steady as Heather’s malevolent glare snapped to me as her hands shot to her hips. She stomped.
I didn’t dare say anything.
“Goodbye Heather.” Owen smiled tightly, no irritation in his voice whatsoever.
Did I just cause a break up?
I gulped as he turned his full devastating smile on to me once more.
“Hi.” It came out before I could stop myself.
“Hey.” He chuckled. “Thanks for the save Stacey.”
