UnEnchanted (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale #1)(7)

An instant later, he was given a second chance as someone grabbed his backpack, halting his descent. When Brody had looked up to see who had saved him, he almost let go of his backpack and fell to his doom from sheer shock. He never expected Mina, quiet, clumsy, shy Mina to be the heroic type. Maybe it was the adrenaline, maybe it was because he knew he was going to die, but when he saw that she couldn’t hold on to him, when he saw that she was falling over the railing with him. He felt his frozen heart thaw and beat loudly in his chest for what may have been the first time. NO! NOT HER!

Brody didn’t want Mina to die and he felt a sudden fear, not for his life but for hers. He was actually preparing to let go of his pack and let himself fall, to save her, when someone grabbed her and anchored them both. That split second, that single breath, that one heartbeat that lasted an eternity changed Brody forever.

“Brody, I’m so sorry!” Savannah spoke again interrupting his thoughts. “I’m sorry about how I acted in the factory. You’re right, I do need to grow up and I promise to never bring up my dog again in conversation.”

Her bottom lip trembled in a way that used to make him give in to anything she wanted, but her words confused him. “Savannah, what are you talking about?”

“About our argument in the factory?”

“What argument?” Brody was starting to get frustrated. He had been trying to think back on the last hour and was having problems recalling anything past the tour guide’s name.

“You don’t remember?” Savannah asked.

“No, I don’t remember much of anything after getting off of the bus. This whole morning is kind of a haze.” Brody felt himself start to lose his balance. “I think I should go home.”

Hope filled Savannah’s face and her lip quit trembling when she realized Brody didn’t remember their breakup. “You’re right, Brody, we should get you home.” She clutched his arm possessively and led him toward the bus and a panicked Mr. West.

“Brody my boy, I hope your family doesn’t think it was negligence on my part. I got called away on an important phone call.” Mr. West placed his hand on Brody’s shoulder and gave a wary glance toward B.J. Turning toward the rest of the students he called out in the tone that only a teacher can do. “All right students, lets load up.”

Mina filed behind Nan and Pri and waited to board the bus. She watched as unsteady Brody was led up the steps onto the bus with the help of Savannah.

“Well, I guess that was the shortest breakup in history,” Pri mumbled sarcastically.

“Don’t be too sure about that,” Nan said, thoughtfully glancing at Brody who took a window seat and stared balefully out it toward her direction. Nan knew he wasn’t glancing at her, but at the clueless Mina behind her. Nan looked between the two of them and smiled to herself. He WAS staring at Mina.

“I mean, I don’t even know what he sees in her?” Pri kept ranting, like a frustrated teenage girl.

“Don’t worry, Pri. I have a feeling that the makeup is only temporary.” Nan turned to Mina who looked as if she was going to throw up from all of attention and talk that was now aimed her way. She couldn’t wait to tell her about Brody’s sudden interest, but after taking one look at the panicked Mina, Nan decided to hold her tongue. She would tell Mina at a different time, when she could get the biggest rise out of her.

Mina was going to be sick. She knew it. Her guilt was making her a nervous wreck. Should she apologize to Brody? That would mean she would have to go up to him and actually speak to the world’s most handsome boy. Definitely not. Maybe she could slip him a note? That wouldn’t do. What if his family sued hers? Yep, Mina was going to puke.

Mina felt a nudge from behind and she glanced up and saw that she needed to step onto the bus and when she did, she immediately wanted to get off as rows of students started clapping and calling out her name. Keeping her head down Mina hastily made her way to the back of the bus and slid down as far as she could into her seat, in an attempt to hide. Nan slid in next to her.

“Kinda nice to be sitting next to a celebrity,” Nan laughed.

“No it’s not. It’s horrible,” Mina groaned. “You were wrong. I don’t want to be popular.”

“Maybe I should get your autograph and sell it on eBay. Or better yet, I could auction off your old English papers. I wonder how much money I would get for a D plus?” Mina looked terrified at the prospect. “Then I could buy that new handbag I wanted,” Nan teased.

“I hope you choke on the handbag,” Mina shot back.

Nan chuckled and quit making ribs at Mina’s expense. She leaned out the bus aisle to take a peek. Sure enough everyone was still looking toward her,, pointing and whispering in her direction. Sighing in regret she leaned back dramatically and drummed her fingers on her thighs.

Mina noticed the lack of an electronic accessory in Nan’s hands and decided to comment. “Aren’t you going to tweet this? I thought for sure you would have taken fifty photos by now and embarrassed me further to your followers?”

“Can’t,” Nan sighed wistfully.

“Why not?”

“I don’t have my iPhone anymore.”

“What happened?”

“I threw it off the catwalk as soon as I saw you were in trouble.” She held out both hands palms up as if weighing imaginary items. “I mean come on; it was either hold on to my stupid phone or save my best friend life. Duh! Not a tough decision.”