Secrets of the Sleeper: True Nature Series: Book One by Karen Lynn Bennett Read Free Book Online Page B

thought.
    Aghh! Seriously, what was wrong with me? Had I reached some weird teen hormone stage where I reacted this way to every good-looking guy? I shook my head. I looked over the class. There must be another hunky guy here for me to get flustered about. I spotted Hugh Lawson off to my right. He wore his blond hair overly long, curling around his neck and ears. And he had the cutest freckles over his tanned face. His sky blue eyes and thick eyelashes were the talk of many girls, and I’d seen quite a few comments about him written on the stalls of the girls’ bathrooms, which automatically had me glancing down at his butt. I wrenched my eyes back up to his face and gasped. He was looking back at me! He saw me looking at his butt! My face flushed with embarrassment. He did that head nod thing guys do that seemed to say, “Hey, babe. Yeah, come and get me.” Oh my gosh! I quickly turned away. Okay. No attraction for me there .
    Looking up, I saw Zander glancing between Hugh and me. He caught my eye and tilted his head. When he raised his eyebrow, I knew he was wondering if there was something between Hugh and me. What did he care, anyway? He had just been ogling Zena. Still, I didn’t want him or anyone to think I had some crush on Hugh. Flushing again, I shook my head, wanting to bury it in my arms again. Instead, I tried for indifference by pulling out my pen and notebook.
    The teacher called everyone’s eyes to the front of the room, and Zander faced forward for the rest of class. I tried to focus on Mr. Mac, but my eyes kept straying to Zander and Zena (their names even sounded good together!). She attempted to talk with him throughout class, but he didn’t seem to hear her. Was he intentionally ignoring her? If so, then he was a better judge of character than the rest of the guys here. Still, I doubted. She always seemed to get what she wanted. Zena Taylor was treated like royalty in this town. She was related to several Hollywood actors. Although her parents were not famous themselves, around here being related was just as good.
    Partway through the lecture, I noticed Zander peeking back at me. I couldn’t help it. I swung my eyeballs between Zena and him, tilted my own head, and gave him the eyebrow question he’d sent my way earlier. He ducked his head and I saw his shoulders shaking. He quickly caught my eye again, amusement crinkling the corners of his eyes. With the smallest shake of his head, he let me know he wasn’t into Zena’s scheming. A tiny smile curled up my cheeks as my heart unclenched.
    After that, Mr. Mac’s Scottish accent quickly enthralled the class, me included. I was excited to learn that we had some Shakespeare on the syllabus— Romeo and Juliet , which was one of my favorites. Zena raised her hand to ask if we could see a Romeo and Juliet movie because she wanted to recommend her uncle’s performance currently on DVD. I rolled my eyes. I tuned out her sickly sweet voice and let my gaze wander back to Zander. He was looking at something outside the classroom windows. I tried to see what had caught his attention. For the briefest second I thought I saw a blond man all dressed in army-style camouflage clothes standing next to the edge of trees. I blinked and he was gone. Zander was again looking to the front of class. Was it my imagination, or did I just see G.I. Joe and Zander looking at each other? It was so far-fetched, I dismissed the notion immediately.
    When class finished, Zander zipped out before I, or even Zena, could catch up to him. I sighed and headed to my locker, where Ruthie said she’d meet me after school.
    Ruthie was on time, waiting for me at my locker, but she was with someone—Val, her old boyfriend. He looked like he was bringing back the past in a big way. He had her pushed up against the lockers, trapped between his arms. And Ruthie, well, she looked as happy as a kitty in a field of catnip.
    I cleared my throat and said, “You are so not doing that on my