Chapter Five

2004, Macon, Georgia

Well, at least I STARTED walking fast, but then he said "Jess?", and I knew I was screwed. I couldn't just run away to class because we have the SAME class next period. Plus, running away would be rude. I know I seem like an edgy teen sometimes (cause I am) but I'm still polite.

I turn around on my heels very slowly. I knew he was gonna ask about that stupid note the other day, I just knew it. I thought in my head I could either tell him the truth, or lie. Or run away, but that's scratched off the list.

And what kind of excuse would I come up with on the spot? WHY would I make an excuse on the spot? What would I even come up with? 'I was aiming it at the kid next to you.' or 'It's just a prank, bro'? I decided to tell him the truth after he would ask.

I finally face him. He looks at me, I look at him. It's weird, cause he's shorter than me. But then again, EVERYBODY'S shorter than me.

Now that I thought about it, I never really got a good look at Hansen. He has beach boy blonde hair that's parted to the right, sticking out the side of his head. Brown eyes, freckles all over his face, with a retainer.

Remember how I said he was out of my league? Maybe he isn't. To be honest he's kinda cute.

The other half my brain full on slapped me and told me that I will NOT put another thing on my 'to worry about' list. Anywho, I have to stay FOCUSED.

My heart beat fast against my ribs. Wait, I just realized how cheesy that sounded.

Anyways, I stare at him for a few seconds, and he stares at me. He's holding a paper. 'Wait, that's not the note..' I thought. He flipped the paper to face me. "Can you explain THIS?"

"OH. MI. GOD." Was my genuine reaction...