Starcrossed (Starcrossed 1)

drama club put on two shows a year?a winter play and a spring

musical.

She wondered what play the drama club was going to put on, and

saw a spare script lying in the wings. A Midsummer?s Night?s

Dream. Helen opened to the first page and read, ?SCENE 1. ATHENS. THE

PALACE OF THESEUS.? She rolled her eyes and dropped the script, feeling

set up. Maybe the Fates really did pull all the strings.

Helen zombied her way through the last three periods, but her

luck couldn?t hold out all day. When the bell signaling the end of

school rang, she rushed to her locker to get to track as quickly as

she could, but Lucas was anticipating her.

?H

ey!? he shouted from halfway down the hall. He looked big and

dangerous as he walked toward her, every step sending underclassmen

scurrying to get out of his way. ?Where have you been all

day??

?Busy. I can?t be late for track again,? she replied tersely, not

looking at him as she dug her stuff out of her locker.

?I?ll walk you,? he said. He tried to get a look at her face.

She kept her head down and her face covered with her hair and

didn?t reply. They walked down the hall next to each other at the

same pace, but today Helen felt even more lonely with Lucas beside

her than she had when she was by herself.

?Why didn?t you call me this morning? I could have picked you

up earlier if you needed to stop somewhere,? he said when the silence

became intolerable.

?Look, Lucas. The whole ride to school thing is sweet, but I think

it?s easier for me to just take my bike. So maybe we should just forget

it.?

?You don?t want me to pick you up anymore?? he asked in a cold