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if Shawn was still there, but he was already gone. She
studied the desk where he had been sitting with some curiosity. She had never
really met Shawn, even though they had been in school together for some time.
Their friends ran in different circles, and to her he was nothing more than a
shadow in the hallway that she passed by. But the memory of his whispered words
meant more to her than she wanted them to.

Kristina
     
     
    After school there was a football practice.
Justin was the star player on the team. The year before Alena had attended
every practice, and every game just for the chance to see him play. It was such
a habit to head for the football field after school that she found herself
walking toward it without even realizing it. When she reached the bleachers she
smiled as she saw Justin out on the field. He looked so handsome in his uniform
that she had to clear her throat to cover the sigh that escaped her.
     
    “Hey Alena,” Kristina said from where she
sat on the bleachers. She smirked smugly at Alena. Alena realized then what a
mistake she had made by coming out to the football field. Just then Justin ran
by, doing laps with the rest of the team. He slowed down in front of the two
girls.
     
    “Hey Kristina,” he smiled at her, and then
glanced over at Alena. “Lena, where have you been?” he asked with a playful
pout. “Didn't you get my text?”
     
    Alena's lips tightened into a stern line.
She had received a few texts from Justin but she ignored them. He was trying to
act like they were still friends.
     
    “Must have missed them,” she said coldly,
making Justin's eyes narrow slightly.
     
    “What's wrong?” he asked as he continued to
jog in place.
     
    “Oh she's just busy,” Kristina gushed as
she stepped down from the bleachers and stood close to Justin. “You know, with
Shawn Travis.”
     
    Justin stopped jogging as his expression
darkened. “Yeah, I saw him talking to you in class today,” Justin muttered, his
voice carrying a little annoyance.
     
    Alena stole a glance at him. Was that
jealousy? She wondered. Was Justin really pissed that Shawn had been whispering
in her ear?
     
    “I barely even know him,” Alena said
dismissively. “And I don't want to know him,” she added, in case Justin was
wondering.
     
    She did not realize that Shawn was only a
few steps behind her. He liked to sit out on the bleachers after school and
scribble in his notebook. When he heard her words he started to turn the other
way.
     
    “Oh Shawn,” Kristina called out before he
could escape. “Come on over,” she invited. “We were just talking about you.”
     
    Justin's eyes narrowed even further as he
looked over Shawn. Alena winced as she realized that Justin must have heard
what she said. She turned slowly to face him, and his stormy gaze locked to
hers. Alena normally did not talk bad about anyone, except for maybe Kristina.
She didn't like to hurt people's feelings. But Shawn didn't look hurt. He
looked angry.
     
    “I guess I was wrong,” he said in a cruel
tone. “About what you deserve,” he added, and then turned away from all three
of them. He stalked back off across the grass towards the school.
     
    “Ouch,” Kristina laughed. “I think your
boyfriend is pissed,” she grinned as Alena glowered at her.
     
    “He's not her boyfriend,” Justin snapped
sharply.
     
    “Uh, what do you care?” Kristina demanded
as she looked him directly in the eyes. Alena's heart was fluttering as it was
clear now that Justin was completely jealous.
     
    “I don't,” he stammered beneath Kristina's
intense stare. “I just mean, Alena and I are friends, and she would never be
with a guy like that. Right, Lena?” Justin asked.
     
    Alena forgot all about the possibility that
she had hurt Shawn's feelings as she lost herself in Justin's baby blue eyes.
     
    “Right,” she replied in a warm tone.
     
    Kristina did not like the way the two of
them were staring at each other. She stepped