Last Train Home by Megan Nugen Isbell Page A

pretty awful and my friends warned me she might get even nastier if she saw me hanging out with you.”
    He was quiet and I could tell he was thinking.
    “Well, I’m not sure I can say anything to change your mind.”
    “I’m not asking you to.  I was just…” but I didn’t get the chance to finish my sentence as I suddenly felt his lips on mine.  They were warm and soft and sweet.  He gently cupped my face in his hands and I thought I felt my knees grow weak for a second as a chill ran up my spine.  He pulled away slowly a few moments later , and he was looking at me with his deep brown eyes.  His hands slowly slid down my cheeks, but he didn’t drop his gaze.
    “I saw you.  I was intrigued so I talked to you, and then I wanted to go out with you.  I don’t care who you hang out with and I don’t care about Adrienne,” he said softly. “I hope I might’ve helped to ease your mind a bit.”
    “Um, yeah,” I said quietly, still trying to catch my breath.  He smiled at me and then took my hand and led me to the next hole. 
     

Chapter Eight
     
    “Okay, I’m dying to know.  How’d it go on Saturday?  With Alex?” Mandy asked excitedly on Monday morning. She’d spotted me at my locker and practically came running towards me, leaving Laura and Holly behind.
    “C’mon , c’mon!  Don’t leave me hangin’!” she said, shaking my arm as Laura and Holly finally joined us a few moments later.
    “Yeah, would you just fill us in so she’ll finally shut up,” Laura said , rolling her eyes at Mandy.
    “It was great actually,” I said w ith a smile and shut my locker.
    “ Tell me more,” Mandy persisted.
    “We had fun,” I said, folding my arms and then was quiet , but Mandy wouldn’t let it go.
    “What?  That’s it? That’s all you’ re gonna say?  I want details,” she demanded, but then she focused on something behind me and was quiet.
    “Hey,” Alex’s voice said.  I turned around to find him smiling at me, his hands in his pockets and his brown eyes peeking out from behind his hair.  He looked around at my friends and he waved at them, his hands still at his waist.  There was a mumble of hellos in return and then everyone stood quietly.
    “Well, we’ve gotta get to class,” Holly said and turned to leave.  Laura followed, but Mandy remained at my side. “C’mon, Mandy, let’s go,” Holly said, tugging her arm. “See you at lunch, Riley.”
    And with that, they were gone, leaving only me and Alex.
    “Hey,” I said , meeting his eyes and then I felt my cheeks redden.  I looked to the ground and started walking towards my Constitution class with Alex beside me.
    “How was the rest of your we ekend?” he asked as we walked.
    “Not bad.  I basically stayed in my room and avoided my mother.”
    “You’d better chill out with your mom , Riley.”
    “Oh, I should, should I?”
    “Yeah.  If you don’t, she won’t let you go out with me again.”
    “We’re going out again?” I said , trying to play it cool. 
    “ Yeah?  Didn’t I tell you that?”
    I looked over to him and once again, that confident smile was spread across his face.  He was so sure of himself, but he was also cute so he could get away with it.
    “Uh, no. You forgot to mention that.”
    We were at my class now and we’d stopped outside the door.
    “Well, I’m telling you now then.  We’re going out again.”
    He reached u p and brushed a piece of my hair out of my eyes and tucked it behind my ear. 
    “I’ll see you later,” he said as his hand glided down my cheek slowly, leaving a trail of goosebumps behind and then he walked away.  I found myself watching him as he left and then I shook my head and quickly walked into class.
    I found my seat and then looked across the room and noticed Adrienne glaring at me.  When our eyes met, she didn’t look away, but kept staring.  I finally looked away and began rummaging through my bag, digging out my homework, when Jesse walked in.