In my Dreams, Courtney Barnes [free novel 24 .TXT] 📗

behind in class, so I was wondering if I could borrow your notes. You’re the only one I’ve spoken to in history. If you don’t want to lend them to me, I could ask the Mr. Henderson.”

I smiled to myself, that’s what happens when you only talk to a few people in school. You might feel a little weird asking someone you don’t know for a favor. “Sure no problem, there wasn’t much today anyway. If you want, I could give them to you at lunch, it shouldn’t take you long to copy them.”

“Sounds good, if you could bring them to the cafeteria, I’ll pick them up and copy them while I eat.”

“Okay. So you’re feeling better then?” I asked, playing with the zipper from the hoodie I was wearing.

“Yeah, I think it was a twenty four hour thing. It started yesterday at work, and I had to go home. I guess my manager didn’t like the idea of my throwing up on the customers.”

“Well, it’s not very good customer service.”

He laughed. “When do you work next?”

It sounded like he was trying to make conversation. “I work Wednesday and Saturday, same shift as last week, you?”

“I have to work Thursday night and Saturday until five. I hate working Saturday nights, so I always work the day shift. I’m in good with the owners, so it works out.”

“Who owns it?”

“My parents.”

“Oh, I feel stupid. You know I didn’t even notice the name when my mom took me there last week.” I really hoped it was a coincidence that we ended up at Lucas’ parent’s restaurant.

“ Sabour. Its my mom’s maiden name.”

“That’s a cool name. I should probably get off the phone though. I still have to do my homework, unlike some people.”

“Yeah, I’ll just have to do double tomorrow. I’ll see you at school. Have a good night Sarah.”

“You too Lucas.” I hung up in a much better mood, I’m sure it was just because I was relieved that he was okay. And I was fooling myself.

It took me the rest of the night to finish my homework and afterward I went to bed early. Because of my restless night I could barely keep my eyes open.

As I shut the door to my car the next morning in the school parking lot, Emma came up beside me. “You look much better today.”

I smiled. “I feel much better too. I was just tired and cranky; I didn’t sleep well the night before.” We came up to the front doors, and walked right through; Jeff Lewis held it open, winking at Emma.

We were almost to my locker when I noticed Derrick wasn’t tagging along behind us. “Where’s Derrick?” I asked, surprised he wasn’t with Emma. They’d been joined at the hip since their first date.

“He’s sick, some kind of flu, he was throwing up all last night. It was so gross.” She scrunched up her face and made a gagging sound. Apparently it was contagious, first Lucas and now Derrick.

“Eww. I hope he’s okay.”

“He’ll be fine; I heard it was a bug going around.” She didn’t seem too concerned.

“I’ll see you at lunch, Emma,” I said, heading to my first class. It was very quiet without Derrick there, but since we had a movie, he didn’t miss much.

At lunch, I sat at our usual table in the cafeteria, reading and waiting for Emma. She was late, which was weird since she was always the first one here. “Are you hiding from someone?” asked a deep voice, I could smell some kind of sweet, spicy scent.

I was hunched in my chair with my book leaning up on the table, my head leaning over it. “I’m reading, ever heard of it?” I smiled, looking up into the deep hazel eyes of one of the two best-looking guys in school.

“Nope never.” Lucas sat down beside me and placed his lunch and history book on the table in front of him. We smiled at each other remembering one of our first conversations. Why did I feel so comfortable with him?

“Where’s Emma?”

I was about to answer him when Andy sat on the chair across from mine. “Hey, are we eating here today?” he asked looking at Lucas.

“Are we?” Lucas glanced at me.

“You might as well; you won’t have to bring me my book back when you’re finished with it.” I bent down to pull my notebook out of my bag and handed it to him.

Andy grinned at us, his green eyes lit up with humor. “Cool.” He took his lunch out of his backpack and placed it on the table.

My cell phone rang. I reached in my bag to answer it. “Hello?”

“Sarah, I’m so sorry I left without telling you. But I almost heaved on my desk in math class,” Emma said roughly.

“You left?”

“Yes, I just got home. Are you going to be okay by yourself, who’s that?” She must have heard Lucas and Andy yelling to Kyle. He was standing in front of their usual table, holding a tray of food, looking a bit lost.

“Um…Lucas and Andy.” I heard a squeal.

“Oh, I shouldn’t have done that, I gotta go. Bye.” She hung up. I didn’t want to know what she was doing.

“Hey, why are we sitting here?” Kyle asked when he sat down beside Andy, who was grinning wickedly, looking back and forth between Lucas and me.

“Lucas is borrowing Sarah’s history notes, right Luke?” Andy answered, wiggling his eye brows, pale blond hair fell into his eyes.

“Yes, and I want to copy them before class starts so shut up.” Lucas leaned over his book, scribbling quickly.

Kyle started talking to Andy about a project they had together in Geography, so I took a bite of my sandwich.

“Where are Emma and Derrick?” Andy asked.

I swallowed, and then replied, “Derrick has the flu so he’s sick today and Emma just went home with the same thing.”

“If it’s the same thing I had, they should be fine by tomorrow,” Lucas said, in between bites of his sandwich.

Andy was grinning at us again. “So Sarah, you should come out with us Saturday night, we’re going to a party my cousin’s having. Shouldn’t she, Luke?” He finished off his sandwich by stuffing the rest of it in his mouth.

Lucas stared at Andy coldly. “I don’t think Sarah would be into it, your cousins parties can get kind of wild.”

Lucas’ reaction surprised me, he hardly knew me, and yet he seemed to be watching out for me. “I have to work Saturday night anyway.” They didn’t need to know that I was off at seven.

“Maybe next time,” Andy mumbled with his mouth still full of food. He swallowed and turned to Kyle again, while Lucas copied my notes.

I picked up my book and began to read.

“Okay, you two are boring. Lunch is almost over; Andy do you want to go see what Laurie and Amanda are up to.” Kyle asked Andy, running his hand through his thick brown hair.

“Sure, see you later guys.” Andy stood up and started walking toward Laurie and Amanda’s table, over by the window.

A few minutes later, Lucas lifted his head. “Done.” He shoved his book and lunch into his bag then turned to me. His intense gaze held mine for several seconds. I couldn’t look away even if I wanted to. “I’m glad you bumped into me Sarah,” he said softly, leaning in closer. He lifted his hand as if to touch my face, he hesitated and instead placed it on mine, giving it a gentle squeeze. I felt an electric pulse at his touch. “See you in class,” he whispered. His face so close to mine, I could feel his breath. He stood up and walked out of the cafeteria.

I was frozen in my seat. Because of his soft touch and the look in his eyes, I thought for a moment, I’d lost the ability to move or speak. No other guy has ever had the same effect on me. Sure I’ve had others flirt with me. I’ve even been kissed by a few on dates. But that one touch and soft words from Lucas and I was gone. There was no turning back.


Ch.8 Distractions

At home, hours later, I decided to make dinner to take my mind off a certain twin. Since my mom had left out chicken, I thought I’d make her favorite, fettuccine Alfredo. She liked to add chicken to it, and it was the only way I knew how to make it.

I placed the chicken in the hot pan, it sizzled and popped. While it cooked, I got out the rest of the ingredients and busied myself making the best meal I could.

I was almost finished when I heard a voice. “You're making dinner?” I turned to see my mom standing in the kitchen doorway, face flushed, hair messy, as she stared at me in disbelief.

“Is it still windy?” I asked, lifting the cooked chicken pieces out of the pan with a fork.

She brushed her long bangs out of her face with a smile. “Yes, it’s like a tornado out there. Why are you cooking?” She stripped off her black suede coat and set it and her brief case on a chair.

I smiled at her reaction. It hadn’t been that long since I cooked, had it? “I felt like it. I needed to take my mind off some things.”

I moved over to the pot of Alf redo sauce, giving it a quick stir, and then checked on the pasta that was boiling on the back burner. Steam curled up into the air; I stirred it to avoid the noodles sticking together. The last time I attempted to make pasta, I forgot to stir the noodles, and when I finally remembered, they were all in a big clump. We ordered pizza that night. Maybe that was the reason my mother