Two Weeks (The Baxter Family #5)(6)

“Yesterday.” She glanced at him. “Clear Creek High. I used to think I’d never be old enough to go here.”

“And now we’re seniors.”

“Crazy.” She smiled at him. “We’ve had the best time, Cole. I wish we had another four years.”

“Yeah.” Cole didn’t exactly wish that. He was excited about college and moving on with his future. But he knew what she meant. He gave her a quick hug. “I gotta get to chemistry.”

“English Comp for me.” They waved and parted ways.

Cole grabbed the straps of his backpack and picked up his pace. He wanted to be early. Especially on the first day. The science classes were through the main hall, out the back doors and in a separate building twenty yards to the rear of the school. This semester the class was taught by Mr. Hansen. One of Cole’s favorites.

Cole walked in well before the bell, and already most of the kids were at their desks. Front of the room was always his first choice, but that row was taken. The students in Mr. Hansen’s class were serious about school. Like him, most of them were going to be premed in college. He found a spot in the second row and set his backpack on the floor.

“Hey.” Her voice wasn’t familiar. “Do we need composition notebooks for this class?”

Cole looked up and straight into the eyes of a girl he’d never met. Long brown hair layered around her narrow pale face. Blue eyes bigger than the ocean. He sucked in a quiet breath.

“Uh.” He sat up straighter. She was the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen. “A few composition notebooks. Yes.”

“Shoot.” She frowned. “I knew I forgot something.” Her smile was back. “I’ll get them after school.”

“No!” Not until he said the word did he realize it was a little too loud. Too fast. Like a command. He cleared his throat. “I mean, I have a bunch of them at home. I’ll bring you a few tomorrow.”

“Really?” She seemed surprised. “Thanks!” With the ease of a dancer she turned in her desk so she was facing him. “I’m Elise Walker. I’m new.”

No kidding. Cole swallowed. His heart was beating so hard he half expected it to burst from his chest and land on the floor between them. “I’m Cole. Cole Blake. I’m a senior.” He didn’t want the conversation to end. “Where’d you transfer from?”

“Louisiana. Leesville.” She wrinkled her nose, like she didn’t expect him to know where that was. “One main street. Four stoplights.”

Cole had a thousand questions. “Your dad got transferred here?”

“No.” The light in Elise’s eyes dimmed a bit. “Nothing like that.”

Mr. Hansen stepped to the front of the room. “Okay, quiet down.” He looked around. “I see some of Clear Creek’s finest here this morning.” A grin made its way up his face. “This is going to be fun.”

Mr. Hansen kept talking, but Cole didn’t hear a word of it. His composition notebook was open, pen ready. Occasionally he caught a phrase or a topic and scribbled it on the lined paper. But mostly he just watched Elise. The way she tossed her pretty hair over her slim shoulders, the seriousness in her big blue eyes, as if her next breath depended on whatever Mr. Hansen was talking about.

“Isn’t that right, Cole?” The teacher was staring straight at him. A heavy silence followed.

“Yes, sir . . .”

“What do you think the medical community means by that?” Mr. Hansen raised his brow at Cole.

Heat filled his cheeks. Come on, Cole. Find your way out of this. “Absolutely.” He remembered to smile. “Whatever you say, Mr. Hansen. I tell everyone you’re the best teacher on campus.”

Mr. Hansen appeared wary, and Cole knew he’d been caught. He hadn’t been listening even a little. But just when the man looked like he might test Cole on the fact, Elise cast him a quick look and then raised her hand.

“Yes, ma’am.” Mr. Hansen’s brow moved up his forehead. “You’d like to help Mr. Blake out, would you?”

“No, sir.” She sat up straighter, her expression as innocent as a child’s. “It’s just, Cole’s telling the truth. I’m new here.” She glanced at a few of their classmates. “First thing he told me when I sat down was how you were the best teacher at Clear Creek.” She looked at Cole like she’d known him forever. Then back to Mr. Hansen. “Just saying.”

The instructor folded his arms. “All right, fine.” He cast a hesitant eye at Cole. “Let’s pay attention. This course moves fast. Lots to learn.”

Cole nodded. “Yes, sir.” He didn’t dare look at Elise. Why in the world would she rescue him? Making up a story right on the spot? He had no answer, but after that he made a point of paying attention. Never mind the girl, he had a purpose for being in this class. He needed to ace the course and then pass the AP exam at the end of the semester.

He would talk to Elise later.

As it turned out, he had to wait after class to ask Mr. Hansen about the date of the AP test, and by the time he had his answer, Elise was gone. He’d see her tomorrow. Too much on his mind to worry about her today.

But it wasn’t that easy.

For the first time in his life, Cole was instantly obsessed with a girl. He couldn’t stop thinking about her. He caught himself looking for Elise between classes and after lunch with the senior baseball players. He didn’t see her again until the end of the day, when he was walking to his car. She was maybe ten yards away.