The Locket

“Something like that,” he replied smugly.

“Wow…that’s pretty deep, Cassidy,” I teased, nearly cackling.

His brow creased tight, his stare making me want to look away. “I shouldn’t have said anything,” he revealed, almost whispering. “It’s not right.”

Could he be anymore cryptic?

“What does that mean?” I asked. Though I wasn’t exactly sure I wanted to know the answer. The conversation had become far too philosophical for the lunch room.

Judging by his expression, he must have felt the same way. “It’s nothing,” he replied.

“Okay, whatever,” I said, rolling my eyes.

The truth of the matter was I often considered the very things he was suggesting. Did we have soul mates? It was conceivable we were not in control of our destiny and in some way our fate had been decided long before we were born. Was it feasible a path had been designed for each of us and a higher power steered us down that path somehow?

“Just something to consider,” Brent added, winking at me.

“I’ll do that,” I smiled, turning away from him, marching through the exit as fast as my feet would move, praying that I didn’t trip.

“See you later then,” I heard him exclaim through the garrulous voices filling the halls.

Opening my locker, I felt as though I was suffocating. What was wrong with me? What was with that conversation about people being designed to be together? Was he suggesting we were designed to be together? More likely, he was poetically letting me know he was designed to be with someone else so I wouldn’t get the wrong idea about his friendly behavior.

Wow, you really are losing it.

I was, and I really needed to get it together. It was just a boy – an incredibly hot sexy boy that for some reason kept talking to me, but still just a boy. I couldn’t keep feeling this way. My aunt was as obsessive as my parents were, when it came to my safety. I was sure she wouldn’t hesitate to whisk me away, and hold me under lock and key if she felt I was in danger. So, no more crazy thoughts about Brent, I resigned. He was one boy where a goodbye might not be possible.

I smiled, closing my locker and thinking to myself. Today is definitely going to be different.

Checking my schedule, I saw art was my next class

. Music was full by the time I got around to registering, so I decided to give art a try although most of my artistic attempts looked like an elementary school effort. Not stick figures, but not actually recognizable either. Entering the classroom, I found an empty table and sat down. I hoped being the odd, new girl, no one would sit next to me and I could be alone with my thoughts. My hopes went ignored as a preppy, vivacious girl bounced over, smiling sweetly, and took a seat next to me.

Her waist length hair was really blonde, like spun gold. She had large green-blue eyes that had an intriguing hint of yellow around her dark pupils. She was beautiful, appearing much too vogue to be a high school student. Her clothing was designer, appearing to be purchased from a boutique, not off the rack at a typical mall store. She smiled a warm friendly smile as she sat and said, “Hello, I’m Layken.” Without hesitation, she blew a giant bubble from a wad of gum she was chewing excitedly, snapping it back as quickly as it came out.

“You’re Claire, right?” she asked, holding her hand out to mine.

“Yep, that’s me,” I managed, accepting her hand, offering a limp fish handshake.

My dad would be sorely disappointed. People will judge you when you shake hands so it’s best to look them in the eye and have a nice firm grip. I found myself hoping for the second time today that he was not watching.

Unlike me, Layken was fashionable. Jeans, a t-shirt, and sneakers were my preferred choice of clothing. I would bet Layken only chose sneakers for gym class. Physically, we couldn’t be more opposite. She was at least six inches taller than me and all legs. With curves in all the right places, Layken looked like the girls on the cover of the Victoria’s Secret Catalog, whereas I was more suited for the cover of LL Bean kids.

Layken asked how I liked it here so far as she twisted each finger in her opposing hand, cracking her knuckles. I explained things were just fine, sharing I had lived here as a child, but moved back over the summer. She listened as though she was actually interested, catching me by surprise. Something about her set me immediately at ease. I felt so comfortable with her and the more she spoke, the more relaxed I felt. Layken waved to everyone who entered and exuded so much confidence. Given how insecure I always I was, I really envied her sureness.

A giant smile appeared across Layken’s sun-kissed cheeks as she looked wide-eyed towards the door.

“Oh my!” she gushed.

Looking up to see the reason for her girlish trance, I gushed too. There he was, in the doorway, even more gorgeous than at lunch, his perfect swoon-worthy grin stretching his face. What was he doing here?

Duh, he draws, dummy and this is art class.

God! My subconscious was even more annoying today than usual.

He was chatting with a male student who was giving him a friendly punch in the shoulder, appearing to be teasing him about something. Looking over at Layken, I realized I was not the only girl mesmerized by Brent Cassidy.

“He’s so hot!” she raved, dragging the word hot across her lips as though she was singing it.