Virtual Ink February//March//April 2014 | Page 32

stood Mason. He was about twenty feet away, leaning against a locker. He caught her eye and smirked. “Surprised to see me?” he asked, sauntering over to her. He leaned against the locker beside hers, watching her closely. Ariana avoided his gaze. “I guess,” she replied, shrugging. “Didn’t know you went here.” Mason laughed. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me,” he chuckled. He pulled a book out of her bag, looking at it. “We don’t learn this until senior year.” Ariana snatched the book out of his hands. “I’m an advanced learner,” she said, coldly. She stuffed it back in her bag and angrily slammed her locker shut. “Unless your first class is math, I’ll see you later,” she growled, glaring at him icily. “Well, aren’t you lucky,” he teased. “I happen to have math first too.” He grinned. “Looks like I’ll have to walk you to class.” Ariana scowled. She got her books and let him walk her to class, wanting desperately to get away from him. She sat down toward the back of the room, hoping he’d find some other seat. But, of course, he took the seat right next to her. She groaned and rested her head on her desk, not even listening to the teacher. Throughout the class, she would glance at Mason. He would return the glances, smiling, his eyes bright and amused, much to her dismay. When the bell finally rang, Ariana was the first person out the door. She ran to her locker and hastily grabbed her books for her next class. After a quick glance around for Mason, she left to go to her class. She didn’t see him at all the rest of the day. As she walked home after school, she wondered where he’d gone. She didn’t have the strange feeling of being watched anymore, nor did she feel uncomfortable. She shook her head, wanting only to get home and sleep. “Mom, I’m home!” she yelled as she entered her house. She dropped her bag off in the living room and went to the kitchen. “Hey, Mom,” she mumbled, going to the fridge. “How was work?” She went to the cabinet and got out a glass. She frowned, wondering why her mother hadn’t answered. She’d passed by her when she came in, didn’t she? She turned around and gasped, dropping her glass. She didn’