I returned his smile and then pretended to type something on my laptop.
“Is he still staring?” I murmured.
“Yep,” she giggled.
After class, Parker stopped me in the hall.
“Don’t forget about the party this weekend.”
“I won’t,” I said, trying not to bat my eyes or do anything else ridiculous.
America and I made our way across the lawn to the cafeteria to meet Travis and Shepley for lunch. She was still laughing about Parker’s behavior when Shepley and Travis approached.
“Hey, baby,” America said, kissing her boyfriend square on the mouth.
“What’s so funny?” Shepley asked.
“Oh, a guy in class was staring at Abby all hour. It was adorable.”
“As long as he was staring at Abby,” Shepley winked.
“Who was it?” Travis grimaced.
I readjusted my backpack, prompting Travis to slide it off my arms and hold it. I shook my head. “Mare’s imagining things.”
“Abby! You big fat liar! It was Parker Hayes, and he was being so obvious. The guy was practically drooling.”
Travis’s expression twisted into disgust. “Parker Hayes?”
Shepley pulled on America’s hand. “We’re headed to lunch. Will you be enjoying the fine cafeteria cuisine this afternoon?”
America kissed him again in answer, and Travis and I followed behind. I sat my tray between America and Finch, but Travis didn’t sit in his normal seat across from me. Instead, he sat a few seats down. It was then that I realized he hadn’t said much during our walk to the cafeteria.
“Are you okay, Trav?” I asked.
“Me? Fine, why?” he said, smoothing the features of his face.
“You’ve just been quiet.”
Several members of the football team approached the table and sat down, laughing loudly. Travis looked a bit annoyed as he rolled his food around on his plate.
Chris Jenks tossed a french fry onto Travis’s plate. “What’s up, Trav? I heard you bagged Tina Martin. She’s been raking your name through the mud today.”
“Shut up, Jenks,” Travis said, keeping his eyes on his food.
I leaned forward so the brawny giant sitting in front of Travis could experience the full force of my glare. “Knock it off, Chris.”
Travis’s eyes bored into mine. “I can take care of myself, Abby.”
“I’m sorry, I …”
“I don’t want you to be sorry. I don’t want you to be anything,” he snapped, shoving away from the table and storming out the door.
Finch looked over at me with raised eyebrows. “Whoa. What was that about?”
I stabbed a Tater Tot with my fork and puffed. “I don’t know.”
Shepley patted my back. “It’s nothing you did, Abby.”