Page 22 of No Ordinary Girl
He sank his teeth in and devoured a bite. “Wow. Is this some kind of American delicacy? How have I not tasted this yet?”
I laughed. “It’s just toast with butter, sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon. I’m pretty sure they have it in England, too.”
“Well, I love it.”
He leaned back into his chair and finished off the toast. “By the way,” he said, serious again. “Mrs. Moore might not be here but there are cameras all around this room.” He pointed to the visible cameras and I almost had a heart attack right there.
I wasn’t like him. I wasn’t like these rich kids. I was at RAMS on a scholarship and I couldn’t afford to do anything bad, anything that could get me in trouble. I couldn’t rock the boat. I was lucky to be in the boat. I wanted to stay in the boat.
He laughed again. “You should see your face. It’s bloody priceless.”
This guy was getting a rise out of me. He was starting to really piss me off. “What?!”
He leaned in again, too close for comfort. His sweet peppermint breath was hot on my cheek. His voice was almost hypnotizing. “Actually, you’re sitting in the perfect spot. My mate Colin and I moved that chair to that exact spot a while back, away from the cameras.”
“Oh… good to know.”
He smiled one last time and stood up. “Bye, Cinnamon. Catch you around,” and then he was gone. Just like that.
My heart was still hammering long after he was out of sight.
I suspected the guys here might be a little strange, but I had no clue just how strange.
9
From: Calista Summers
To: Annabelle Jenkins
Subject: Hi
Dear Anna (a.k.a. my guardian angel),
I’ve come to think of you as my guardian angel. Who knows what could have happened if you hadn’t showed up when you did. I think I’ll always think of you that way. It all makes sense now… I had a feeling that there might be something special about you, and turns out I was right.
I wish you luck at RAMS. You and I are in the same boat--although, I’m not moving out of state, I’m starting at college, farther from home, where I don’t know anyone. Both my parents and my therapist thought seeking out new experiences might be a good idea, considering everything that’s happened in the last year.
I know you have a lot on your mind right now, so I’ll tell you about that another time. One day, I’d like to tell you what happened, but only if you want to know.
Your new friend,
Calista
From:Annabelle Jenkins
To: Calista Summers
Subject: Hi
Hi Calista,
So nice to hear from you. I do like the idea of being your guardian angel. Lol! I’ll gladly take on the job, if you still need one.
I’m here at RAMS which is nothing like my old school. It’s beautiful here but there are a lot of rules, and I need to wear a uniform, and they serve things like kale and quinoa at the cafeteria. And the boys are weird. But all in all, things went pretty well. My roommate, Alicia, is super nice and has taken me under her wing.
I hope your first day at college went well, too. And yes, I do want to hear your story. When you are ready to tell it, of course.
Talk soon,
