Crossings: A Sovereign Guardians Novel (8 page)

I was so ready for a fight that his sudden affirmation stopped me in my tracks.

"You're right, and I'm wrong."

His hand was beneath my elbow, and I found myself being expertly guided into the library.

An apology was always great, but I wanted clarification.

"What exactly am I right about?" I asked as we entered the crowded room. I might have been glad he was agreeing, but if he was only saying it to make me be quiet, then it wasn't what I wanted at all.

"Principal McNeely was acting strange. I simply took advantage of his behavior to try and get us out of trouble." He held up his hands in a gesture to show he was as confused as I was that things had all worked out in our favor.

I frowned at his explanation. "But, it felt like when you were talking to him that you already knew we weren't going to be in any trouble."

"Be reasonable Pagan. There's no way I could have known that.

"Exactly."

"What are you accusing me of? Be specific, if you can."

The problem with our conversation, other than the utter weirdness of it, was that we were in a library full of people now and the situation did seem surreal. Maybe I had blown it all out of proportion. But something had happened. I just wasn't sure enough what it was to keep arguing. And I knew arguing my other point, the fact that I wasn't about to let him kiss me, was an argument I was likely to lose.

It hit me in that moment how little I actually knew about Granger. Faith had told me her entire life story in the first two days I'd met her. I knew Keller worked for my grandmother, and she would never hire anyone she didn't trust or feel was an asset to have around Fairvue.

But Granger?

Granger was a mystery to me.

I needed to remember that and put some distance between the two of us.

"Why don't we just go ahead and register for next year? After all, Mr. McNeely said a lot of the favorite classes fill up early."

Granger nodded slowly. I could tell my answer wasn't what he had expected, but he seemed relieved that I no longer wanted to discuss the situation.

We both walked toward the lines that were forming for registration. I was still upset, but I didn't want to fight.

I took my place behind the letter
S
which was posted on a board above a library shelf, and Granger found his way to his section. His line was much longer than mine, so I wasn't surprised when I finished first. There was no way I could wait for him as far back in the line as he still was, so I gave him a small wave from across the library and made my exit out the double doors.

Arriving at my next class, I handed my late pass to Mrs. Holmes and slid into my seat. The hour seemed to move slowly even though we were busy the entire period. Granger did not return and even when I headed to my final class of the day, he was still nowhere to be found.

When school was finally over and I had survived another day of gym and battle ball, I headed across the school parking lot toward the section of the woods that would lead me to the shortcut path back to Fairvue. The weather had remained beautiful, so walking back and forth from school hadn't been a problem so far, even if every once in a while I was a little afraid of the all the shadows and sounds that came from the forest.

The honking of a horn from behind me caught my attention, and I turned to see who it was. The driver's window rolled down, as Faith pulled her car over to the side of the parking lot. I bent down to her open window. Her smile was bright as always.

"Hey, girl! Missed you after English class. How did registration go?"

"Fine," I said, but something in my tone, or maybe it was the look on my face, alerted her to the fact that everything hadn't gone as well as it should have.

"Oh my," she drawled. "I do not like the sound of that 'fine' you just pushed out of your mouth. Come on," she patted the passenger seat beside her. "Since you don't have a cell phone, I'll drive you home so you can tell your best friend all about what Granger did to you."

My eyes widen in surprise as I opened the car door, slid into the seat, and fastened my seatbelt.

"How on earth do you know this has anything to do with Granger?"

She pulled her sunglasses off the top of her head and down onto her face. Then she put the car into gear and headed out of the parking lot before answering.

"Really, Pagan? Is there anything exciting enough about registration, other than Granger Panera, to cause that kind of tone in your voice or that poor, pitiful me look you’re wearing all over you?"

She didn't give me a chance to answer.

"Of course not," she continued. "Registration is not that interesting. Therefore, whatever is causing you to mope across the parking lot looking like your puppy just got run over by a truck has to be boy trouble."

"That is such a gross description."

"It doesn't matter; it's accurate," she shot back. "You know men are the only real cause that can put us otherwise sane girls on edge. Just look at that no-account father of yours, no disrespect intended of course. He was always causing you all sorts of problems. I'm telling you, men are the root of all of life's woes. I bet the creation story left out the part where Adam planted the seed for that tree that started all of the chaos. Everybody blames it on Eve when it had to all be Adam's fault..."

"Because he's a man," we finished in unison as we burst out laughing.

Faith took her eyes off the road for only a second and grinned at me.

"Of course, men are also the ones who make our hormones get all out of kilter."

A goofy grin spread across her face, and I could only assume she was thinking about her boyfriend.

"It's quite the conundrum, isn't it? What's that old saying? Can't live with them; can't live without the things they buy us?"

I shook my head at her attempt to keep me smiling. I knew she was stalling, trying to give me time to tell her on my own terms what went wrong. Now that I was away from the school and from Granger, it all seemed rather silly.

Sighing, I finally began my explanation.

"I know you want to know what happened, Faith, but it really wasn't that big of a deal. Granger and I had a little disagreement on the way to the library. That's all. Then he got held up during registration, so we really didn't get to talk again after that and settle things. I just wish we'd had a chance to say a few words to each other before the day ended."

I bit my lip, trying to decide how much more I should add. "I looked for him after class, but I didn't see him and well, that's when you came by."

Faith turned on her blinker and expertly guided the vehicle onto the side drive which led to Fairvue.

"Do you want to tell me what he did?"

"It was just weird, Faith. I don't know how to describe it exactly. One minute we were talking and then the next thing I knew we were behind some lockers, and I honestly thought he was going to kiss me."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa." Faith pushed up her sunglasses; her eyes were huge.

"Wait a minute! Your first kiss with Granger, and I assume it was your first kiss or you would have already told me, was going to be in the halls of the high school? Behind some old lockers? Ewwwh!"

She shook her head from side to side making her blonde hair swing around her face. "Not
yuck
about kissing Granger because that would definitely not be a bad thing, but the location of a first kiss is important, Pagan, and the halls of Jasper High are not on anyone's list of young love memory lane."

"I know, right? That's weird to me, too. And, I mean, I'm not even sure we know each other well enough for something like that to be happening, incredible green eyes or not. But, especially not on our way to registration and just after lunch. I'm sure I had chocolate chip cookie breath and everything."

I sighed out loud, still so confused about my behavior, wondering what I could say to help her understand how strange things had seemed.

"When Granger’s around me, sometimes I can't think straight. He's got this magnetic personality, ya know? I feel drawn to him or something, and I don't just mean because he's hot. Honestly, Faith, at the point where he had me pressed up against the wall, I didn't care where we were. It's like my brain didn't even register that we were at school."

I glanced at her to see how she was taking my confession. Her face didn't reflect any judgment, so I continued.

"I don't know if I'm more bummed that we argued or that I can only say that we almost kissed and not that we actually did."

Faith put one well-manicured hand on my arm and squeezed it quickly before commenting. "Well, as long as you don't feel like a fish being dragged in for dinner, then sometimes it's okay to feel that kind of pull."

The car began to slow as Faith put both hands back on the wheel and pulled up to the front of the house. She put the vehicle in park but left the engine running as she turned to face me, waiting for me to finish the story.

"Anyway, the principal walked up, and we really weren't doing anything, but it was, well, you know...
awkward
."

Faith's brow crinkled as she tried to understand.

"So, you guys didn't get in any trouble even though you were obviously about to do something,
and
you weren't where you were supposed to be?"

I nodded in agreement.

"That's the way it went. We got in exactly zero trouble. None. It was like everything Granger said, the principal thought it was all remarkable. By the time he finished talking, Mr. McNeely was wishing us luck with registration and offering to write us special notes for next year's classes."

Faith looked at me and then out the front windshield. "You know, I've noticed that about Granger before. Sometimes when I'm around him, I can't even remember what I was going to say."

She looked back at me and grinned, the levity leaving her voice as she added, "Now that does sound crazy saying it out loud. I always just thought it was because he's so darned good-looking."

My mouth quirked at her comment. "I doubt Mr. McNeely is affected by Granger's looks."

"Hey, you never know," Faith said dryly, nudging me with her elbow. We both burst out laughing.

I knew I needed to let Faith leave. She’d told me at lunch she was meeting her boyfriend after school, so I didn't want to make her late, but talking to her had really helped me.

My fingers found the handle. I pulled it open and slid out the door. Faith waved goodbye as I gave her a quick thanks for the ride before she put the car in gear and then drove it around so that her side was facing me. The window was rolled down so we could talk.

"Call me if you need me, okay? Even if you have to use your Gran's antique to communicate. I can actually maintain a verbal conversation on the phone, you know. I don't have to text all the time. Even better, invite me over to spend the night soon. We can stay up all night, talk about boys, and eat ice cream from a carton. Oh, and I could let you play with my phone so when you finally get one you’ll actually know how to use it."

She flashed her typical Faith grin at me and wiggled her eyebrows, looking so ridiculous, I couldn’t help but smile at her antics.

“It sounds like a plan,” I agreed. “We’ll do it soon. I don’t want to overwhelm Gran just yet, but as soon as I’m more settled, we’ll have that sleepover. You know you could always invite me to your house,” I suggested.

Faith wrinkled her nose. “I would, but Mom and Dad are such sticklers about my not having company whenever they’re out of town, and they’re gone way more than they’re home. It’s so annoying when your parents’ social schedule is better than your own, but what can I do? Just promise me we’ll get together soon, okay?”

I nodded my agreement, and then I watched her leave back down the driveway. I stood there until I could no longer see her car before heading inside to tell Gran about the day. Things with Granger might be weird, but it felt good to have a friend like Faith.

The moment I closed the door behind me I smelled the scent of chocolate chip cookies, and I knew Gran would be waiting for me in the kitchen, wanting to talk to me about my day. I was tempted to simply shout hello and slip up the stairs before she had time to stop me, but I didn't. I went straight down the hall to the kitchen.

I wasn't sure right now how I felt about Granger, but ignoring the one person who did love me wouldn't make my thoughts any clearer. I thought about Faith again and how easy it was to talk to her. Then there was Gran, pouring me a glass of milk and putting three cookies on a plate for me like I was a little girl. Of course, I was sure in her eyes I always would be.

Savoring the first bite of the delicious, homemade cookies, I let all my worries about the day slip away.

Staying at Fairvue had changed everything for me. It didn't only feel good to have a friend; it felt good to have a place to call home.

Chapter Four

The gym at Jasper High School looked different without the stands filled with fans or a sporting event happening on the polished, wood floor. I was glad that for once I could be here without having to participate in any activity, much preferring to hang out in the gymnasium while helping make posters. The underclassmen dance the school hosted was tonight, and the juniors and seniors were responsible for getting everything ready.

"Pagan, do you know where the light blue paint is?" Faith's voice carried across the gym. She was looking through the multiple containers, trying to find the color she needed.

It took me only a quick look at the paints I had to find the blue color she needed. I picked out the small container and walked it over to where she stood. The paper in front of her was blank, but the other posters she'd painted were already hanging on the walls and looked fantastic.

"I've never heard of a school where the juniors and seniors host a dance for the freshmen and sophomore classes," I said as I handed her the paint.

Faith blew a loose piece of hair away from her face before setting down the paint and settling on the floor. She was dressed in a pair of pastel, plaid shorts and a pink sweater set. Other than the one loose strand of hair that kept trying to fall across her forehead, she looked perfect. If she weren't my best friend, I would definitely envy her.

"The dance is some kind of tradition at JHS that must be as old as your grandmother's phone.” Faith grinned at me to show she was only teasing. "Seriously, my mother says she remembers doing this when she was in school, so I know it's been happening for awhile."

She eyed her blank poster, obviously trying to decide what to draw next as she added, "I don't mind decorating. I think it's kind of fun, and I'm sure they'll be surprised with how cool the gym will look tonight for the dance, but I am glad we don't have to stay. I love music and dancing, but since my own boyfriend can't come to any of our school functions because he doesn't go here, I'm not all that interested in attending any dance the school hosts."

I nodded my head in understanding. I could see her point. It must be frustrating to have a boyfriend who was not at the same school. Of course, I didn't have any problem like that because, well, I wasn't dating anyone.

Thoughts of Granger flitted through my mind, but I shook them away. That was one place I was not going today.

I looked around to distract my thoughts. There were several groups of juniors and seniors working to turn the gym into the theme of
heavenly wonderland
. Amber lights had been strung around all the basketball goals and across the bleachers, leaving a wave of lights that would look almost magical once the overhead fluorescent lights were shut down.

Music was being set up on the small stage that was attached to the side of the gym. Several students were hanging balloons, and even across the gym Keller and Granger were helping to set up tables and chairs.

Walking away from Faith, I went back to my own project. I was finishing the background poster for the pictures that would be taken tonight of each student who attended. The paper I'd painted was filled with swirls of blue, white, and gold, and I had brushed in small points of light that looked like stars in the sky. I was rather proud of how the painting was turning out, and I felt sure it would be the perfect background for the pictures.

I opened a small jar of blue paint and dipped the end of my brush into the liquid. I wiped some of the excess off on the side and then looked critically at the painting. A few final touches to the picture before I hung it on the wall would make it perfect.

Deep in thought, I didn't notice Keller's approach until he spoke.

"I like the way you painted that. It's very accurate."

Slightly startled, I turned to face him, paintbrush still in my hand.

"Accurate? That's a strange way to describe a painting that's supposed to be the view of someone looking down from the heavens."

His familiar, crooked grin broke across his face, and I smiled back, not really wanting to argue with him for once. He was still dressed in his clothes form school, khaki pants and a red collared shirt. Even though he'd been unloading tables and setting up chairs, he looked neat and unruffled, just like Faith. I, on the other hand, looked a mess.

After school I’d changed into an old pair of denim shorts and an even older T-shirt, knowing as messy as I was that I'd end up getting paint on my good clothes if I didn't change. Sure enough, I already had a large smear of paint on my shirt and near the hem of my shorts.

"I guess
accurate
isn't the word I wanted," Keller amended.
"Sorry."

I was shocked to see him tuck his head and look slightly embarrassed. I'd never seen Keller look uncomfortable before, and I found it was rather endearing. He spoke again, drawing my confusing thoughts away from him.

"I simply meant it was a good backdrop for the pictures It matches the theme perfectly."

Keller looked at the backdrop again and then back at me before asking, "Would you like me to take your picture in front of it? That way you can show Ms. Ellie what you painted."

Surprised at his thoughtfulness, I wondered for a moment if there was a catch. Perhaps he would use the opportunity to make fun of my lack of a phone, but again he surprised me when, without a word, he pulled out his own to take the photograph.

"Why don't we go ahead and set it up, and we'll snap the picture with you standing in front," he suggested.

I looked to the spot where we needed to hang the backdrop, and nodded my agreement. "I still want to add a few more details, but it might actually be easier for me to paint if it's hanging."

Still holding my paintbrush, I grabbed a roll of tape and walked over and gave it to Keller.

With his phone in one hand, he was also able to grab one edge of the paper, and I grabbed the other side. We walked together and stopped at the spot where the pictures would be taken.

A wooden backdrop with fabric panels on each end had been built for the photography booth. The painting I’d done was meant to hang on the center section.

Keller held the paper against the wood as I folded the strips of tape he gave me and placed them strategically so they would hold the weight.

It only took a few minutes to finish. We both stood back and looked critically at the picture to make sure it was hanging straight.

"Perfect," Keller said. I turned to face him to let him know I agreed, but the words died in my throat.

His eyes were on me.

"Hey, Keller!" Granger's voice echoed across the gym causing both of us to turn. He was walking straight to where we were standing, awkwardly carrying a ladder under one muscled arm.

"Oh, hey, Pagan," Granger said as he got up closer and could see around the ladder. "Ya know, I was going to make Keller volunteer to hold this ladder for me while I hung some signs in the lobby, but I'd trust you more to do the job."

His grin was friendly, and I was glad that whatever had happened between us wasn’t making things awkward.

"Sure," I heard myself agreeing. "I don't mind. Just let me finish up here first, and I'll be right there."

Granger turned, holding the ladder now with both arms, whistling as he walked away.

Keller's brows drew down. His scowl followed Granger’s retreating form.

Was he upset because I was helping Granger? If it meant that much to him, he could do it. I really didn't care.

"If you want to go help instead of having me go, Keller, be my guest," I said, motioning to the lobby where Granger had headed.

Shaking his head slowly, Keller shot back, "Nope. You go right ahead and do some manual labor for Granger. But I'm quite sure that's not the only thing he'll want you to do for him.”

I rolled my eyes at his innuendos. I would not let him make me mad. Not today.

I started to walk away when Keller added, "Don't worry, babe. I'm sure you won't mind doing whatever it is he needs. I hear Granger can be quite...persuasive."

My head snapped back toward him, my eyes wide at his choice of words. I was certain Faith wouldn't have mentioned to Keller what I’d told her. That only left Granger who knew about the incident with the principal. Surely Granger hadn't spoken to Keller about what had almost happened between us?

But the look on Keller's face spoke volumes.

He knew something even if he wasn't coming out with it.

Trying desperately to hide my feelings, I knew anyone looking closely at my face would see how flustered I suddenly was.

Unfortunately, Keller was the one looking.

"What's the matter, sweetheart? Don't want to hold the ladder anymore?"

I stomped back over to where he stood.

"Weren’t you going to take my picture?" I challenged, nodding my head at the phone he still held.

Keller's eyes narrowed. but I didn't even blink. Instead, I moved around to the backdrop, and with the paintbrush that was still in my hand, added one last touch to the painting before positioning myself for the picture.

Keller looked down and changed the setting to camera. I waited as he held his phone up to snap the shot. I smiled obediently while he took a couple more pictures before lowering his phone and putting it in his back pocket.

"Are you done?" I inquired sweetly.

"I'm not sure," he said, taking a step toward me.

There were people everywhere still working to help get everything ready for the dance. I couldn't see Granger anymore, but I was sure he was already in the lobby and would be yelling my name any minute, if he wasn't already wondering where I'd disappeared to.

Despite all the students, for the moment with us standing inside the curve of the wooden backdrop, it was like we were hidden away from everyone else. I could almost imagine we were trapped in some wonderland surrounded by our own starry night.

Did I really just think that?

With Keller standing so close to me, my emotions were all mixed up, a jumble of feelings I wasn't sure I wanted to identify.

I knew there were days I felt I like I could call Keller my friend. Other times, he drove me crazy. Then there were those moments like now, when he looked at me, and I couldn't explain it but I felt this connection to him. Like I'd known him before, from some other time or place. He seemed too familiar to me sometimes. How could he push all my buttons, when we’d only known each other such a short time?

"Where are you from, Keller?" I was surprised to hear myself ask him that question after I'd sworn I would never ask.

Keller gave his best lopsided grin, and the beat of my heart sped up in reaction.

"North.”

His smile grew bigger as if he had some private joke. “I'm definitely from north of here."

I tilted my head to the side as I considered his answer. "You don't sound like it," I reasoned. "No accent. But, then again, you don't sound like you're from here either. Why do you suppose that is?"

Ignoring my question, Keller took a step closer to me. His hand reached out, and he ran his fingers up the length of my arm. His voice was soft when he spoke.

"You know, you've got paint right there.”

His eyes stayed focused on mine but his fingers continued their caressing motion.

“And there.”

His fingers slid past my elbow.

“And there."

His hand brushed the top of my arm, his featherlike touch following the trail of paint until it ended at my own fingertips. I was certain he hadn’t meant the touch to be seductive, but my own senses didn’t care as they reacted without question to his touch.

Enthralled by the sensations he was creating, all the questions I'd wanted to ask him raced from my head. Keller stroked the back of my hand before his sure fingers moved their gentle investigation back up my arm, across my shoulder, settling with the warmth of his palm against my neck. I could feel the metal of his ring touching my skin.

I shook my head, trying to get my thoughts together. This was not a big deal. Keller was simply pointing out I had paint on my skin.

That’s all.

He wasn’t trying to make me think about how good it felt to have him close. He didn’t know that I suddenly could think of nothing else but how amazing it would be to feel his lips against mine.

I groaned.

I was going insane.

First Granger and now Keller. What was wrong with me? I couldn't control my traitorous body as I swayed toward him.

We were standing so close I could feel Keller’s breath stirring my hair. The room swirled, and for a moment I was completely lost. If I didn’t snap out of this soon, I was going to embarrass myself. I tried to remember that Keller Jones was a flirt. Whatever this thing was, it was nothing to him. It was all in my head.

Okay, maybe not all in my head.

A whole lot was invading other parts of my body.

Taking a deep breath, I carefully lifted my right hand, still holding the paintbrush I’d picked up earlier. Before Keller could guess what I was about to do, I moved closer and with perfect precision splattered blue paint on the end of his perfectly shaped nose.