Read Choices for Free Online

part of me that really does wonder if he is just playing with me. I mean, the prettiest girl? Riiiiight. No one has ever talked to me like that, much less meant it.
    “ Because she’s sitting right here with me.” My heart melts just a little.
    I’m wondering where Brody is when he walks through the door. He looks around the room, and his face darkens into a scowl when he spots us. I know he isn’t happy with the change in seating arrangements. I hold my breath as he walks toward us. Will he sit next to me or Eric?
    And he chooses…. Eric. I let o ut the breath I was holding, but I don’t know if I am relieved or disappointed. Maybe I’m even a little angry. I want him to sit by me, to at least acknowledge my existence. He makes me feel things I don’t understand, but he doesn’t seem to be affected by me at all.
    Throughout class, I try to steal peeks at Brody. He fidgets with his pen, and I see him scribble in his notebook here and there. For all intents and purposes, he doesn’t appear to be listening at all. I look down at his hands, and I instantly remember them on my bare skin as we danced.
    My face burns, and I suddenly have no idea what to do with my own hands. I’m fidgeting as I remember his knee between my thighs, his hips pressing into me. I never knew I could feel like this. I am uncomfortable in my own skin. I peek at him again, and he’s watching me as my eyes travel up his body. I gasp and look away. I try to remind myself that he doesn’t want me. This is only lust. I don’t have any real feelings for him .
    Declan is looking betw een us, as if he’s trying to add a piece that won’t fit into a puzzle. If only I knew what the final picture would look like, maybe I could help him.
    As class ends, I am in a hurry to get away. I quickly gather my things and shove them into my backpack. As I stand, Declan puts a hand on my arm to stop me. “Where are you off to in such a hurry?”
    “I, um, I just wanted to go look over some notes for my next class. You know, to be prepared?” My voice hitches, and it comes out like a question.
    “Hey, Jenna is meeting me for coffee in about ten minutes. Want to go with us?” Eric unknowingly traps me. If I say no, it will be obvious that I am trying to avoid them. If I say yes, I will have to endure more uncomfortable glances and stilted conversation.
    Brody makes my decision easy when he declares that he has a test later on today and needs to go to the library to study. I try to peek up at him, but I’m afraid he’ll see relief written all over my face. He’s so distracting that I lose my ability to think cohesive thoughts and speak coherent sentences when he is around.
    The boys say their goodbyes as we walk out of class together. When we reach the door, Brody and I try to go through at the same time. Our arms brush against one another, and we jump apart. He steps behind me to allow me to go in front of him. So softly that I’m sure I imagine it, he whispers, “Beautiful.” I stumble but catch myself. Did he say what I think he did?
    Declan turns back and grasps my hand to pull me forward. He doesn’t let go as we start walking in one direction while Brody walks in the other. It’s such a sweet gesture, but I suddenly feel as if something (or someone) is missing.
    It’s a wonderful day to be outside. My whole life, I’ve wanted to move away from home, but not once did I ever imagine leaving the South. The seasons will change soon, and it will be even more beautiful as the trees turn from green to different hues of yellow, red, orange, and brown. Here in Knoxville, we are close to the Smokey Mountains. There is nothing more breathtaking than the mountains in the Fall. Right now, it is so hot that no one wants to be outside for long. But that is the beauty of the South. It gives us something to look forward to. We experience all four seasons, and each is as beautiful as the next.
    There is an old cliché about Southern hospitality. Around here, it