Storm (Elemental 1)

Becca glanced away. “We didn’t feel like braving it.”

“Here.” He held out his apple. “I can’t eat while you’re just watching me.”

Quinn snorted. “The symbolism here might just kill me.”

Chris grinned, withdrew his arm, and took a bite. “I’ll eat it then.” He pushed the fries off his tray and into the space between them. “You eat the fries.”

Quinn gave him wide eyes. “But ... whatever will you eat?”

A pear, two pieces of pizza, a cup of applesauce, and a Styrofoam bowl of macaroni and cheese still sat in front of him. He shrugged. “I’ll make do.”

Quinn took one, almost hesitantly. “Seriously. What are you doing here?”

“I came to apologize for my dickhead brother.” He took another bite of his apple, his eyes intent on Becca. “And to thank Becky for last night.”

“Becca,” she snapped.

He smiled. “I know.”

Oh.

Oh.

Becca blushed and hated herself for it.

Then she realized Quinn was staring at her, a kind of shocked dismay on her face.

Crap.

“Quinn, look, it’s not like you think—”

“Don’t worry. I get it.” Quinn was standing, slinging her backpack over her shoulder.

“Wait—Quinn—”

But her friend was already shoving past other students, making her way toward the common area.

Becca sighed. “Great.”

“We’re not gonna cry about it,” said one of the physics kids.

“Shut up,” she snapped.

Chris took another bite of his apple and set it on his tray. “Now she seemed nice.”

Becca glared at him, irritated. Had he meant the double entendre about last night? God, for ten seconds, she’d entertained the thought that he was going to sit down and be a nice guy.

“So which one?” she said.

He frowned. “I’m sorry?”

“Which brother? I’m having a hard time differentiating on the dickhead scale.”

“Oh.” He looked startled. “Ah, Michael. But, all of them, I guess.”

So Michael was a big brother. She should have seen that coming. “Great. Apology accepted. You’re welcome.” She started to rise.

“You’re mad at me? Hey—wait a minute.”