Heart on a Chain by Cindy C Bennett Read Free Book Online Page A

shrug and pick it up again, taking a big bite.
    Then I notice the others at the table. They’re the “losers” and they’re looking at me, mouths hanging open, shocked more than they would have been if Henry had sprouted a second head and started talking in tongues. I quickly look down, trying to ignore them as I eat, but hyper aware of their stares anyway.
    As if that isn’t bad enough, soon two of Henry’s friends come over, dropping their trays loudly and high-fiving Henry. They glance aside at me, but I think that maybe they seem less surprised to see me here than the losers are.
    “ You know Ian and Kaden?” he asks me, and I only stare as they both jerk their chins toward me in greeting. Soon three other boys come and sit, Henry again making introductions, as if I haven’t been attending school with these guys for several years.
    With them come a lot of noise and talking, and I’m glad to sink into obscurity, eating quickly. Henry keeps glancing my way, as if to make sure I know I’m included in the conversation, but not trying to draw me in, for which I’m grateful.
    Lunchtime passes both too slowly, and much too quickly.
    After lunch, I have two classes before photography. I go through the motions in those classes, but I’m counting down the minutes until photography. I’m earlier than usual, then try not to keep watching the door, looking for the familiar, dark blonde, spiky hair to come in. When I see his frame filling the door, my pulse quickens. As he sits next to me with his usual greeting, I can tell I surprise him when I look at him with a shy smile and say “hi” back.
    Class starts and there’s no chance for conversation, but I feel a kind of comforting satisfaction sitting here next to him. Today is the last day of note taking, and on Monday we begin labs. I’m looking forward to that so that I’ll have an excuse to interact with him—and dreading it at the same time.
    As soon as the bell rings, I start stacking my books, not in as big a hurry as I’ve been before, but still needing to get off campus before the bulk of the students do to increase my chance of being left alone.
    “ Need a ride home?” his words stop my movements. I think about how it had felt, sitting next to him in his car. Then I think about the looks and talk it will cause, not to mention how much sooner I’ll arrive home.
    “ No, thanks, I’m going to walk.”
    “ With your knees?” he’s skeptical. “Come on, it’s on my way.” I still hesitate, anxious about the thought of walking down the hallway next to Henry, with everyone watching, wondering if I should suggest meeting him at his car—knowing I’d never actually show up.
    He takes my hesitation as capitulation, and grabs my books, piling them on his own as he stands.
    “ I promise not to bite,” he teases with that disarming grin. Without that, I might have said no, but I’m sadly powerless against what it does to my heart. Head down, I walk out of the room beside him.
    Once we’re in the hall, I slow my steps a bit, walking just slightly behind him. It seems too brazen to walk right next to him. He slows his steps to match mine, keeping me next to him. I try to slow more, but he also slows. Finally, when we’re barely moving, I realize the ridiculousness of it, and begin walking at a normal pace. I try, unsuccessfully, to ignore the looks and whispers that come our way as it’s obvious we’re walking together since Henry occasionally grabs my elbow to steer me through the crowds.
    I’m grateful when we reach the car. He opens my door for me, handing me my books before shutting the door. As we pull out of the parking lot, I’m again aware of disbelieving stares and students pointing at us. Henry’s oblivious.
    “ So, you have any big plans for the weekend?” he asks, attention on the road as he navigates the maze of teen drivers still pulling out of other lots and merging into traffic.
    Let’s see; housecleaning, laundry, cooking food I