Breathe (Sea Breeze #1)(57)

After two classes of people asking me questions about Jax that I didn’t want to answer, the thought of going to a cafeteria where I was going to be the main source for Jax Stone info made me cringe. I stood at my locker longer than necessary, and then went to the library instead. I could eat when I got home. I would begin on my homework. I slipped over to the tables and got out my trigonometry book and began working. My eyes, however, had a hard time staying focused, and I had to fight to keep them from closing.

“Sadie! Wake up! Sadie!” I lifted my head to see Amanda frowning down at me.

“Are you all right?” she asked, reminding me of her older brother.

I rubbed my eyes and nodded. “Yes, I guess I need to get more sleep.” I knew I needed to get more sleep. But I wasn’t going to until I got Sam to sleep during the night.

“Well, come on you’re late for literature, and Mr. Harris almost didn’t let me come get you. I told him you thought your next class was Spanish, and he agreed to let me come find you.”

I smiled at her imagination. “Thanks.”

She picked up my books and tugged on my arm. “Don’t thank me now. We may both be in trouble if you don’t hurry. And get rid of the ‘you just woke up’ stare. It will blow my cover.”

I rubbed my face and nodded.

We had to go to my locker first and switch out my books.

“Why were you in the library anyway?” she asked as I grabbed the correct books.

“Because I didn’t want to face lunch and everyone’s questions,” I mumbled

She nodded. “Well, you were missed. The only reason you were not bombarded in the library was because by the time everyone figured out where you were, lunch was over.”

I sighed and shut my locker door. “I want to go back to being invisible,” I grumbled and fell in step with Amanda.

Amanda frowned and shook her head. “It isn’t going to happen. You need to prepare yourself. The homecoming dance is next month, and you are going to be hit big time with requests to take you.”

That wasn’t even an option. I wasn’t going to date anyone. I refused to go to any dance.

“Well, help me get the word around that I don’t dance,” I muttered as she opened the door to the classroom, and we went inside. Luckily, Mr. Harris only gave me a stern glare, but said nothing. I slipped into the only free desk, behind a tall, dark haired guy whose head blocked my view of the board. I’d leaned over to write the page numbers we were supposed to read for homework when the tall guy in front of me turned around.

“You’re Sadie White, aren’t you?” he asked grinning.

I nodded wishing I could just lie and tell him NO. He cleared his throat. “I’m Dameon Wallace.” I gave him a small polite smile and searched for the page we were supposed to be reading.

“Do you speak, or do you have something against me?”

I sighed and glanced up. He must’ve been unleashing what he assumed was a charming smile. It wasn’t bad really. He was attractive enough. His blue eyes lacked the intensity of Jax’s steel blue eyes. His smile didn’t look really sincere. More sure of himself and cocky, maybe.

“I’m just late for class, and I’m trying to get caught up.”

He flashed me a crooked grin he also apparently thought was cute. “No worries you didn’t miss much. So, you single again?”

My stomach knotted. I gave him a tight smile and nodded before turning back to my book.

“What are your plans after school? I was thinking we could go get a drink and walk down to the beach.” He sounded so sure of himself and his offer I had to remind myself I was a good person and not mean.

I managed a smile and said, “I work after school, sorry.” I went back to trying to read my page.

“After work?” He seemed a little unsure of himself now.

“I’m sorry, but I have to go straight home and get homework done and help my mother with my little brother.” I wanted to add, I am not going to be dating anyone, so leave me alone, but I refrained and went back to reading.

He watched me a few seconds more, and then I heard him sigh and turn back around in his seat. I tried to comprehend what I was reading, but I couldn’t keep my mind on the words. I hated feeling like I was an item to be studied on a display shelf. Everyone wanted to watch and see what I would do. Once the bell rang, I grabbed my books and headed for the door as quickly as humanly possible. I needed to get away. Far, far away.

“Hey, Sadie, wait up,” Amanda called from behind me.

I slowed and turned to see her running to catch me.

“What did Dameon Wallace say to you?” She almost squealed in delight.

I frowned and tried to remember our one-sided conversation. “Well, he asked me out, I said no, and that was about it.” I kept my eyes on the hallway and didn’t think about the people staring at me.

“He asked you out?” she asked with a hushed reverence.

I simply nodded.

“OMG, he is the absolute hottest guy in Sea Breeze. You do know he is a quarterback, and not only that, he has several SEC schools interested in him.”

I had no idea, and I did not care. I shrugged and opened my locker to get my bag out. “That’s great. Good for him,” I replied.

She stood staring at me open-mouthed. “I can’t understand how you told him no. No one tells him no. Girls dream about him at night. He’s gorgeous. Did you see his arms?” She fanned herself. “Wow,” she added for extra affect.