"Ara, this Harry," Mr. Benson said, obviously noticing the drool coming from my lip. Time came rushing back into to me. I snapped my gob shut and wiped my chin, glad there wasn't actually drool. I already knew he was Harry; the reaction I was having mirrored the stupidity I despised in Emily two minutes ago.
Harry's smile changed then, drawing me into his world almost inviting me to be his friend.
"Hello, Ara." He nodded, almost like a bow.
Breathe, Amara-Rose, just breathe. I lifted my hand a little to wave. No words came out, though, Pathetic.
"Ara, David is my best student," Mr. Benson said. "David?"
"Yes,sir?" David stole his gaze away from me, his head turning before his eyes left mine. He shoved his hands into his pockets and his shoulders lifted, as if he was some kind of shy guy. No freakin way!
"Ara's a little worried about coming to a new class," Mr. Benson said. "Would you take her to the library and fill her in on this week's lessons, please?"
A sudden wash of relief brought my body back to life. I wanted to hug Mr. Benson for being so considerate.
Harry smiled at me again. "Of course, sir. It would be my pleasure" His voice ran through me like milk for my soul; liquid with maturity, and somehow kind of weightless.
My cheeks flushed hot. I looked down at my feet and chewed the inside of my lip to stop from grinning like a little girl in a candy store.
"Okay. Well, Ara you take care. I'll see you in class tomorrow" Mr. Benson smiled and patted my shoulder.
"Thank you" I said
"Your very welcome" He turned to face Harry. " Harry, you can get your stuff"
Emily squeaked, bouncing up and down on her toes, I actually wanted to squeal too. She was so right. He is so hot!
"Oh my God, Ara your so lucky" She said excitedly
"Lucky? I have to spend forty minutes alone with that guy"
"Trust me, Ara. Your going to love Harry"
That's what I'm worried about. He's not that cute." My cheeks went hot, the lie rising up shouting to the world that I was as pathetic as I thought Emily was.
She rolled her eyes knowing that I'm lying. "Its okay to like him, you know. We're only human."
I swallowed my pride and said "Does he have a girlfriend?
Emily leaned closer. "He--"
"Sure thing, Mr. Benson" Harry's smooth, mature voice filled the hallway a second before he stepped out of the classroom, carrying his bag and a stack of books. He looked at Emily as she straightened up and tried to hide the big smile on her face, " Everything all right, Emily?"
"Mmhm."
Harry looked at me and studied my face carefully with slightly narrowed eyes-- as if maybe he was trying to figure me out. I wish him luck. "You ready?" he released the words in a soft breath.
I managed a nod. Somehow, staying with Mr. Benson seemed more appealing. I was going to make a fool of myself in front of this boy, I just knew it.
"Don't worry, Ara" Emily placed her hand on my arm. "David will take good care of you"
"She'll be fine, Emily." David said
"Yeah, I'll be okay" If I don't spill the contents of my gut all over this cheap, yellow floor.
"Okay, well. Have fun, Ara and... I'll see you at lunch? she asked, her eyes round and hopeful.
Terrific, I've just made a new friend without even trying. Great. Not. "Thanks, Emily, and yeah see you at lunch"

---

We stepped inside the class sized library. I looked around the room studying it. A group of study desks marked the center of the brightly lit space and Apple Macs lined the walls on one side. It seemed the school the school made up in supplies for what it lacked in style.
My unfairly gorgeous tour guide stood motionless beside me, seeming to wait for me to decide where it sit, so I started off with a determined stride and, using my ankle kicked a chair out at the circle of the study desks.

"You know--" David said sitting next to me. "Its your first day, so we can either fill you in on Mr. Benson's class, or--" he look at the student near us and paused.
"I already prefer the or."
"You know, I think i'm beginning to like you already, Ara-Rose"
Well, that's good. Because I'm totally in love with you already.
"It's just Ara, by the way," I said . The name was beginning to grow on me, New name. New me.
Harry sat straight and looked at me with one eye slightly squinted, then folded his arms over his chest and looked down. Weird.
"Okay, Ara. What's your next class?"
I dug into my backpack and pulled out the schedule and map, then passed them to Harry, who read the page, wearing a impish grin.
"We have a few classes together."
"Oh. Okay" Is that good?
"Including music." He covered his mouth, clearing his throat.
"Is that... bad?" All the blood ran from my face as he handed the schedule back to me.
He shook his head. "I mean, not all bad. We have Mr.Grant, but I'm in your class"
"Is he...nice?" I kind excepted a two-headed monster, judging from the smirk on Harry's face. Oh no.......

Notes

Hope you guys enjoy this update.

xoxo
~Gabrielle