Awaken the Soul (Havenwood Falls High)(16)

Chiding my ridiculous imagination, I turn back to the front. “Z, I think I’m—”

“Watch out!” Zara screams. Her hands grip the steering wheel as the car jerks and skids along the ice-painted road.

Car horns blare, my seatbelt locks across my chest, and someone shouts, as a city tour bus stops, sideways, five feet from my door.

“You girls okay?” a voice asks, followed by tapping on the window. Words fail me. My body shakes. Zara’s curses fill the car, as do her thanks. “Vivienne? Zara?”

At the sound of my name, I look up and find Mr. Zander from school jiggling the handle to my door, his face concerned. My hand reaches forward and unlocks the car door, pushing as he pulls it open.

We’re an hour late for school by the time Sheriff Kasun finishes with us. No one was hurt, nothing damaged.

“I swear, Viv. Our light was green. The bus driver wasn’t paying attention.” Zara yanks the school door open, the heat welcoming after standing outside.

“We’re fine. I’m not mad.” I check my watch. “Let’s hurry and get excuse slips. The bell’s about to ring.”

“You’re not mad, but I am. He could have killed you,” she says, her face still devoid of color as we walk toward the administration office. “How are you so calm? That bus barreling toward us won’t stop flashing through my mind. That’s my second near miss this semester! I’ll have nightmares for weeks, and you probably want to stop riding with me.”

I stop walking and push her to the edge of the hallway. “Look at me.” She does, and her eyes glisten with unshed tears. “That thing with Willa was all on her. Not your fault. Neither was this. We’re both safe. We’re safe, Z,” I repeat, hugging her as the class bell sounds. “Come on.”

We secure tardy slips from the office and head separate ways. I duck my head and attempt maneuvering the crowded halls of Havenwood Falls High without being stopped. A few students drove around our near-wreck this morning, their faces gawking like typical rubberneckers, which meant the whole school was aware before first period. Not in the mood for discussion, I slip into chemistry instead of hanging in the hall as I normally would. Three other students are already in their seats as I walk down my aisle.

Electricity shocks my wrist, and I gasp, twisting to find my arm in Breckin Roberts’ grip. My pulse accelerates.

“Sorry.” Breckin removes his hand, balling his fingers into a fist as he leans back and looks up at me. I stare as undecipherable whispers nag at the back of my mind. “Rumor has it you and Zara Shannon almost collided with a bus this morning. You okay?”

There’s an edge to his voice as his eyes search me from head to toe like he’s checking for injuries.

“I’m fine, thanks.” I drop my backpack to the floor and lower into my chair. What was that? Breckin and I have barely spoken since elementary school. He defended me from a few jerks in town freshman year, but other than that . . . The sensation of being watched crawls up my spine. The knowledge that Breckin’s eyes are fastened on my back sends me scooching down until my neck presses against the back of the chair and my butt hangs over the seat edge. Thank goodness I’m short.

I close my eyes and replay everything from this morning. Those blue eyes penetrate the thick layers of fog surrounding my mind. I know him. I do, but how?

More students walk into class, their laughter and conversations making me an outsider. A few people say hi. I offer vague smiles as the seats around me fill up.

“Hey, Viv. I saw Zara in the hallway. You two must have had a guardian angel watching over you this morning, huh?” Zal Purser asks as she tugs on the turquoise beads around her neck.

I half fall out of my desk, my heart rate accelerating as I lurch into a sitting position. “What did you say?” I ask, my voice unfamiliar to my own ears.

“I said you must have a guardian angel looking out for you.”

Angel. My head whips toward Breckin. He’s watching, his amber eyes narrow, his jaw tight. Guardian angel. Blue eyes. Angel, angel, angel . . .

Dark spots fill my vision. I sway in my seat, grasping at the edge of my desk, when a hard body presses against my shoulder and arms wrap around me.

Heat blows around my cheek. “Vivie?”

Vivie. The lock unlatches, and memories rush in. The animal attack, the reaper, the bathroom at Burger Bar, Breckin’s kisses. I suck shallow breaths, recalling the danger, the warnings. The way the reaper waved a hand this morning and how a bus almost killed me.

“Breck!” I turn into his chest and grab his shirt. “It was him. The bus, this morning . . . I know it was.”

Then I see his hands at my waist as he lifts me onto a counter at his house and his smile as his lips descend on mine. My gasp is audible. Saturday night. He erased my memory?

Someone calls our teacher as Breckin rubs my arms and helps me stand, supporting most of my weight.

“Vivienne?” Heels click against the floor as she nears.

“I’ll take her to the office. She’s still freaked out about this morning,” Breckin offers, his voice take-charge and firm.

Breckin grabs my bag and escorts me from class. My eyes focus straight ahead, ignoring the curious glances, especially from friends. They’re probably wondering when Breckin Roberts and I became close enough for me to cling to him as though my life depends on it.