Hope
Zade and his brother are in my next class too. Now that I don’t have a huge masculine distraction, I can pay attention to my surroundings. This teacher also introduces me but does not make me talk about myself. This class is pretty laid back. The teacher says she doesn’t have everything together yet for this semester and that we can use it as a study hall for today. Since we just came from break, everyone decides to just talk. I figure I will use this opportunity to meet Zade’s brother, since I really wasn’t paying attention last period. His name is Zander.
The guys are super entertaining. They have me laughing the whole time. Different girls approach them throughout class to ask about their winter break. Or simply flirt shamelessly. They barely give them a moment of their time. Then they are back to asking me questions about my life. They seem genuinely interested. Neither has flirted or said anything inappropriate. That makes me feel more comfortable. Maybe they can become good friends. They also tell me a little bit about themselves. They are both very handsome. I hadn’t noticed when I was in the presence of such perfection last period. But now that I am not face to face with Mr. Kingston, I can see why the girls are trying to flirt. They are tall. Maybe six feet or more. Muscular. They have a little bulkier look than Mr. Kingston. He had a leaner muscular look. Am I going to compare everyone to him from now on?
I notice Zade is the outgoing one. He likes sports. Zander seems a little more sensitive. He’s into music and art. Interesting. But they both look like they work out. We have lunch break together and they offer to eat with me. They sit at a table with a bunch of guys who look like football players and girls who look like cheerleaders. The guys give me a little too much attention and the girls give me a few glares. I don’t like it. The twins pick up on my discomfort and suggest that we eat outside. I jump at that offer. We sit at a picknick table under a tree. Two smaller boys approach us. When they get all the way to the table, both of their eyes open wide, and they stare at me. Zade clears his throat, and they snap out of it. “This is our new friend Hope. She just moved here from California.” I shake hands with the two boys, and they introduce themselves. Soon they leave. “Family friends.” Zander says, as an explanation.
The guys ask a lot of questions about my family, my parents, what they do for a living. Where I have lived before this. It would seem kind of intrusive and personal. But they ask so kindly that I don’t mind. They answer all my questions as well. They both show me to my classes the rest of the day. They are outside my last class when I exit. “Do you have a car? We can give you a ride home.” Zander offers. “My Mom is picking me up. But she won’t be able to tomorrow because she’ll be at work. So how about then?” They both agree and stand with me until I see my mom. They walk with me right up to the car. “Hello Mrs. Christianson, I’m Zade and this is my brother Zander. We offered to drive Hope home tomorrow if you don’t mind. We can give you our phone numbers if that would make you feel more comfortable.” Zade offers. My Mom smiles and hands him a pen and paper that are sitting there in the car. “Nice to meet you boys. Thank you for the offer. That will be fine, until Hope gets another car.”
They offer their goodbyes, and we head home. “They are so cute. Your own personal bodyguards.” Mom exclaims. I laugh at her. “They are, but I think I will keep them as friends. I’m afraid I would have too much competition.” I tell her with humor in my voice. “Oh, come on, you are totally gorgeous Hope.” “Okay, Mom, whatever you say.” I tell her about the rest of my day while leaving out the part about my exquisite English teacher, and his eyes, and his dimple.
I’m now in bed and can’t fall asleep to save my life. I can’t stop thinking about Mr. Kingston. I feel like I lost something when I walked away from his classroom today. I have an emptiness in my heart. This is the strangest thing ever. I have never felt this way in my life. I am not boy crazy. This is so unlike me. I did tell Sage about him though. She of course asked for pictures, as if I sat there and took his photo during class. I honestly can’t wait to go to school tomorrow.
HopeI am ready for school before Mom even checks to see if I’m awake. I actually put a little effort into getting ready this morning. A little mascara and lip gloss. I even smoothed out all the curls in my hair, so they were shiny and bouncy. When I appear in the kitchen, Mom eyes me with a big smile on her face. “Are you trying to impress a certain set of twins this morning?” “No Mom, I did this for me. I just wanted to look nice.” I explain. “Okay, sure, you keep telling yourself that sweetie.” Then she gives me a wink and a pat on my cheek. If she only knew this was for my teacher. The twins are standing outside the school when we pull up. “Which is which?” Mom asks. “I honestly don’t know yet. I can tell when they talk to me. Zade is more animated and louder, but Zand
HopeI watch the clock, waiting to go to English. Today continues the same as yesterday. The twins walk me to class. I feel a great sense of relief come over me when I enter the room. His scent is soothing. I take a deep breath and feel refreshed by it. Somehow stronger. His big smile is what I have been waiting to see. I wish I could just sit and talk to him. But I go to my desk and try not to stare. We discuss the first two chapters of the book and receive our homework assignment. Too quickly, my time with him is over. I got no more than a couple of glances from him. It is kind of heartbreaking. When I enter his room again later for Creative Writing, his face lights up with a full-blown smile. Dimples and all. He approaches me and reaches out his hands toward me, as if coming in for a hug. I automatically move toward him as wel
Noah Kingston I know my brothers are bringing her to the house to meet Mom today. I couldn’t wait for this day to be over so I could see her again. The only time I was truly calm and at ease was when she was in my classroom. I wish she could just be in every class I teach. But the poor thing is very distracted by me. That is so cute. She has no idea what is going on. I don’t think she understands what’s happening or who she is. I can’t figure out why though. How does she not know? As soon as she walked into my classroom, I knew exactly who she was. My brothers figured it out pretty quickly after seeing my reaction. They are doing a good job watching over her for me. They understand how important she is. I am trying so hard to not make it obvious in front of the other students. I have to force
Hope As we sit, eating a feast of Italian food, the conversation is flowing freely. The twins are animatedly telling a story about some kids from school. Their Mom, Delilah is thoroughly entertained and intrigued. Mr. Kingston, Noah, is still busy observing me. It should make me uneasy, but it doesn’t. My usual shy nature is minimized in his presence. I couldn’t believe how bold I was to question his feelings for me. He gave me enough of an answer to make me hopeful. Though he didn’t say it outright, I believe he is interested in me for more than just my huge brain. The thought makes me ecstatic. But I need to calm down. I just met him. I only learned his name a couple hours ago. But for some reason, I feel like I have known him forever. After dessert, I tell the boys that I need to head
Hope Mom takes me to school. I don’t have anything to say in the car. I just need to get through first period so I can see Noah in second. All that seems to matter is seeing him. Maybe I can just casually walk past his classroom on my way to Math. I don’t realize Mom is trying to say goodbye. “Oh, sorry, I was in my own head.” “That’s okay sweetie. Just make sure you wake up before class.” She leans in and kisses my cheek. I wish it were that easy. Zade and Zander are at the side of the car waiting for me to get out. “Your bodyguards are here sweetie. Don’t want to keep them waiting.” She then winks. I moan, say goodbye and get out. The boys walk with me to the school. They join me at my locker. &ldq
HopeI get up in the morning and do the same thing as yesterday. I feel like crap until I see Noah. Today I get a burst of energy when I near his room for English. It’s almost like a wave of his powerful essence hits me as I enter. I can’t help but stop dead in my tracks and breath it in. I literally close my eyes. No one else is here yet but the twins. When I open my eyes, he’s doing the same thing. I laugh. His face lights up. He walks quickly toward me. “Are you okay?” he asks. “I am now.” I tell him honestly. “It’s stronger than I thought.” He says to the twins. I don’t ask what he means. If he feels half of what I do, then he means the need to be near each other. The rest of the day goes by. Not much is different from yesterday. But today I know that tomorrow is Saturday,
Hope Noah sits down next to his mom. I sit down next to mine and put my arm around her. Dad sits on her other side and holds her hand. No one speaks. The twins take seats at the island, just to give us a little space, I think. Noah looks at me and then at my mom. I have no idea what is going on here. I wish someone would say something. Even though I am totally confused, I still notice that I am feeling much better. My headache is gone. I’m not tired any more. Noah speaks first. “Mrs. Christianson, it is a pleasure to meet you. I’m Noah.” He reaches out and shakes her hand. So, she gets a handshake, but I don’t? What am I thinking? My Mom is crying her eyes out and all I can think is that I&rsq
Hope I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t move. I just looked into her eyes as tears streamed down my face. “I had just found out I was pregnant the day before. We were going to tell Delilah and her husband the good news that night. I never got the chance to do it. I couldn’t stay there. The memories and the pain would be too much. I know I was a coward to run away. It was all just so overwhelming. I needed to go back home, to my family.” “I tried to contact you, but you never responded. I went to your dorm, and they told me you had left. Then your number was disconnected. I even tried to get in touch with your parents, but they never returned my calls.” Delilah told my mom through tears. “I know, I was a horrible friend when you needed me the most. I should never have left. I was devastated and confused. I went through the most horrible pain. I’m sure you felt the same way, but worse