Falling Under Read Online Free Page B

blinked slowly, believing he was a mirage. A very handsome mirage. But I didn’t have the power to dream cute boys into life. When he didn’t disappear, part of my heart sang and part of it worried that I’d never be the same again.
    He looked right into my eyes. He didn’t smile, but he didn’t drop his gaze either. Life carried on around us, but we were trapped in a different moment than the rest of the students in the crowded hall and office. The noisy corridor suddenly quieted, like someone had clicked the MUTE button. Though he didn’t physically move, I felt him take a bow, deeply, like he had the night before.
    Oh, I never would be the same again.
    His presence in my waking world stirred all my senses. Still in slow motion, I kept walking, warmed wherever his eyes touched me. When I finally dropped eye contact, the world caught up with me—or the other way around.
    Ame grabbed my arm. “Are you all right? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
    “Please keep walking,” I squeaked.
    She slung a protective arm around me and ushered me into the nearest bathroom. I slumped against the wall, trying to catch my breath, but my lungs didn’t want to work, and I exhaled when I should have inhaled.
    “What is wrong with you? Do you need the nurse? Should I call your dad?”
    I shook my head, which did nothing for my already poor balance. “No. I just need a minute.”
    The door burst open and the surge of energy that always followed Donny came in with her. “Oh, my God. Tell me you saw him. He is undeniably … hey … what’s wrong?”
    Amelia answered. “She just freaked out. It was the weirdest thing. We were walking down the hall and everything was fine. Then she—”
    “You saw him, right?” My voice sounded foreign to me—desperate. I still wasn’t breathing right. “The boy in the office? He was really there?”
    “The smokin’ new guy? Yeah, I saw him—” Donny’s face lit up. “Oh, wow! Finally you get the hots for someone. I was beginning to think you might sway the other direction, if you know what I mean. This is great. I mean, I’m a little perturbed that I don’t get him first—but, you know, I’m willing to sacrifice one boy for the greater good if it means you’ll finally get laid.”
    “You are the opposite of classy, Donny.” Amelia was still rubbing my arm. “Is that what this was about? Love at first sight?” Ever the romantic.
    “Oh, Jesus, Ame.” Donny opened her purse, pulling out makeup. To me, she said, “We are going to get a little color back on your face and then you are going to talk to Hottie McTightPants before some other ho snags him.”
    “Wait. There’s more… .” Ame and Donny exchanged glances, worried glances. I guess I was being a touch dramatic, but who wouldn’t be? “I had this really weird dream last night. And he was in it.”
    “You dreamt about him. Oh, that’s wonderful. You’re so lucky.” Amelia practically swooned. “It’s like a fairy tale.”
    “You’re so retarded.” Donny thrust her purse at Ame and pushed her to the side so she could grab both my shoulders. “Tell me all about the dream. Was he kinky?”
    “No, he wasn’t kinky. Well, maybe he was—I don’t know, he was kind of weird … but you’re missing the point. I dreamt about him before I saw him.”
    Amelia was going to need a chair. “That’s so amazing. Maybe you knew each other in a former life and you just now found each other again.” Amelia wasn’t just a romantic; she was also a metaphysical junkie. Tarot cards, dream interpretation, crystals, past-life regression—if it made it to the shelf of the metaphysical bookstore, Ame was a rapt pupil.
    Donny wasn’t fazed by my revelation—or Ame’s. “He’s probably been in town a day or two before he started school. Maybe you saw him when we were getting gelato or something.”
    I exhaled and the tension whooshed from my body. “You’re right. I’m sure you’re right.” That made much more