The Promise Read online

CHAPTER 2

  I was glad when I walked into art class; this was the only class Tess didn’t take with me. Somehow that never deterred me from absolutely loving it. I would always sketch stuff when I was little; I guess I got my love for art from my Dad.

  I admire art my angel but you have the talent to create it he once said to me.

  I made my way to my desk; the other students quickly filled the classroom as well. I absently toyed with my pencil waiting for them to settle down, a brief silence made me look up.

  My gaze locked on the new guy talking to Mr. Anderson, he had dirty blonde hair that hung loose around his hairline. He definitely had an athlete’s body but he was not bulky. He also looked slightly older, 17, 18 maybe? I was pretty sure he was new here, with his looks; I would’ve noticed him before. I had a new definition for ‘hot guy’ now and for a moment I caught myself ogling him like most of the girls in this class.

  What the hell! I chastised myself, forcing my gaze down again. Mr. Anderson introduced him as Brandon Carter; I stole a peek at him again and tried to make quick observations about him. From the way he dressed, he’s from a well-to-do family. His expression gave off a sense of confidence, maybe a little cockiness?

  He also looked like he had a wild streak…trouble; he was trouble.

  Just my crappy luck! The one guy I felt slight attraction to had to possibly be a total prick.

  Mr. Anderson instructed him to take an empty desk, that’s when I realized the only empty one was right behind me. I didn’t know weather to be glad or pissed off, all I knew for sure was that I couldn’t afford to be crushing on the new hot guy who was obviously trouble.

  He walked over with leisurely strides and our gazes met for a second; he had beautiful grey eyes, they were sharp, intense and mischievous. I broke the connection when I felt my pulse pick up a little, besides I was positive he was used to girls being starry-eyed around him. He certainly didn’t need me to add to that tally.

  Mr. Anderson started the class and I felt a weird feeling come over me, it felt a little electric and warm. The feeling was not unpleasant; it just caused uneasiness and tension. I shook my head, trying to get rid of whatever it was but nothing worked. Was I getting sick? Was I imagining it? What the hell was it anyway?

  A sharp breath escaped me when the feeling disappeared.

  I wondered what had caused it in the first place, or if it was all in my head. Then I thought maybe the Brandon guy caused it. I quickly dismissed that silly thought and tried to focus on the lesson.

  After the bell rang for lunch break I went out of the class, not daring to look in Brandon’s direction. I made my way to my locker staking my books in and closed it. I rested my forehead against it for a second and Tess showed up

  “Whoa, you look flushed. Are you okay?” She said and I managed a smile for her, I didn’t know why I felt so drained. “I’m fine.” I said.

  “Well did you hear?” she said opening her locker, I raised my eyebrows at her

  “There’s a new hot guy in school.” She said and I swallowed hard

  “Yeah, I heard.” I said leaving it at that.

  “I got a load of him on my way to music class, damn that boy is fine. Well not JT Gilbert hot, but hot nonetheless.” She said and I frowned.

  Tess has had a crush on my brother for as long as I can remember, she thinks he doesn’t know she exists but she’s my best friend and she’s been to my house a couple of times, of course he knows her.

  “Ew Tess, you know how I get when you fangirl over my brother.” I said and she rolled her eyes. “Come on, lunch’s on me.” she said.

  We went to the cafeteria and like any other high school; everyone sat in their respective cliques or inner circles. Everyone knew who I was, but I wasn’t your conventional popular girl. My normally wary nature didn’t make me bubbly or easy to hang out with.

  Tess and I grabbed a tray and took turns filling it with food; I turned only to bump into Adrianna. I tried to still my tray, but a small portion of my food spilled onto her cheerleading shirt. I unconsciously apologized, she gasped

  “Watch where you’re going you little twit!” she hissed and the little remorse I felt vanished. I was about to make a snappy retort when JT appeared out of nowhere

  “Is there a problem?” He asked nonchalantly, his blue eyes looking between the two of us.

  Adrianna plastered a fake smile, “No, just a mistake.” She said and I rolled my eyes. She at leased knew JT well enough to know that their relationship would be over if he thought she was mean to me. But I knew my brother well enough to know that he wasn’t easily manipulated, a part of me knew that he could see through her. What I couldn’t understand was why he was still with her.

  “Let’s go sit down Ade.” He said to her then gave me a smile that I didn’t return, I looked back to see them walk over to their table. Adrianna looked back too and shot me an icy glare that I definitely returned.

  I started towards Tess when I noticed a pair of grey eyes watching me, my stride faltered a little. Brandon turned his attention back to his new set of friends whom were mostly girls, and I didn’t like the fact that it bothered me.

  I sat down on my table, it was on the far corner and only Tess and I sat there, we both loved it because it allowed more privacy.

  “Are you okay?” Tess asked, referring to my near fight with Adrianna “Yeah.” I said monotonously. She looked at the pair

  “She’s all wrong for him.” She said, “What does he see in her?” she added, and I also glanced at them. “Beats me too.” I muttered then flinched. Realizing that I asked myself that question out of annoyance and she did so out of hurt. I sometimes forget the feelings Tess has for my brother and I knew his relationship with Adrianna hurt her. Even thought she downplayed it most of the time. I didn’t want to be in a position where I have to take sides, especially if it’s between my brother and best friend.

  “Anyway.” She said in a dismissive tone, classic “I saw the hot new guy staring at you, he looked at you like he knows you.” She said and I sighed.

  “I didn’t mention? He sits behind me in art class and his name is Brandon.” I said unenthusiastically as I started picking on my food. She gave me an incredulous look

  “No miss I-don’t-care, you left out that piece of information.” She said and I smiled apologetically “Sorry miss know-it-all.” I said.

  “And…?” she probed, with a mischievous look in her eyes “And what?” I asked and she groaned, “What are you going to do with him?” she asked.

  “What? Nothing.” I replied quicker than I would’ve wanted. She shook her head, “Come on Katelyn don’t tell me you don’t like him, because I know you do.” She said, as a matter of fact.

  “What do you mean I like him? I don’t even know the dude.” I said and peeked at him, still talking to the group of girls who laughed and smiled at whatever he was telling them.

  “But I bet you want to change that.” She said suggestively, and I turned my gaze back to her “No.” I said decisively. I had to remember that he was trouble.

  “No? Come on Katelyn. You are ridiculously beautiful, even that Adrianna chick hates you for it. Brandon doesn’t stand a chance if you go after him full throttle.” She said, and I snorted. I was more afraid that I wouldn’t stand a chance.

  “Look at him Tess; that guy is bad news. You really want me to get mixed up with that?” I asked and she thought about it for a moment.

  “But then you would’ve gotten a taste of him, aren’t you curious?” she asked, wasn’t everybody? “The taste wouldn’t be worth it when I’m poisoned.” I said without thinking and she stared at me for a while.

  “Wow, you just went lyrical on me right now.” She teased and I chuckled

  “I know right? Lets just let it go, okay?” I asked and she nodded. Our conversation shifted into comfortable spheres until the bell rang. I hoped the last remaining periods in the day passed without any events.