The Chronicles of Winterset: Oracle

by K. G. Reuss

  “Right,” I said through gritted teeth. “I’ll see you later, Kellin.”

  “Ana—” he started helplessly but was silenced when Courtney planted her mouth on his again.

  I walked into the classroom before I did something I’d regret. My hands were tingling with rage, something that had never happened to me before. I was usually a very reserved person, but I didn’t like it when I was made fun of, especially when it was in front of Kellin.

  Chapter 2

  I sat in chemistry, my jaw tense as I thought about how embarrassed I’d felt. It was common knowledge that I’d once been a gymnast. My parents had moved us to Three Oaks when I was in ninth grade. My dad was a trauma surgeon, and he’d been offered a job at Mercy Medical as director of the department, a job he’d wanted for a long time. When it was offered, he scooped us up, and off we went. I’d been an avid gymnast until the move, but there weren’t any gymnastics offered here, so I joined cheerleading as a fallback. I hated it, but it was as close as I could get to my beloved gymnastics, so I did it, fake smile on my face and all.

  I was deep in thought when my body began to tingle. A warm flush came over me, and I pulled my eyes up from my test to see the most gorgeous guy walk through the door to Mr. Gillis’s first-hour chemistry class. I felt him before I saw him, which seemed odd, but I brushed the thought off as all the girls in class caught sight of him with sharp intakes of breath around me followed by excited whispers.

  His shaggy black hair fell haphazardly into his equally dark eyes; his full lips were set in a firm line, and those dark eyes were hooded by thick, sooty lashes. His long-sleeved black shirt clung to his torso, the muscles easily outlined beneath it, and his dark denim jeans hung low on his hips. He looked around the classroom disinterestedly, his eyes falling on me and stopping.

  I dragged in a slow breath while he studied me, and his lips quirked up into a playful smile as I tore my eyes away from his intensity.

  “Class, it appears we have a new student,” Mr. Gillis said, looking up from the slip of paper the guy had handed him. “This is Calix Night. Calix, we’re in the middle of a test here. I know you’re unprepared for it, but I’d like you to take it just the same. It’ll help gauge where you are on the subject, and maybe we can get you up to speed if we need to.”

  I glanced at Calix quickly as Mr. Gillis handed him a copy of the test. Calix’s eyes were still on me, and the small smile lingered on those gorgeous full lips.

  “Have a seat next to Miss Winters, please. Miss Winters, raise your hand so Mr. Night knows who you are,” Mr. Gillis called out. I raised my trembling hand into the air, and the smile broadened on Calix’s face as he made his way over to my lab table.

  He sat down and I felt the air crackle around him, sending the small hairs on my arms straight up. The smell of his cologne wafted to me and I closed my eyes. He smelled woodsy, like the outdoors, with a hint of spice. It was the best smell I’d ever experienced, lame as that sounds.

  “Hello,” he murmured, his deep voice holding an undeniably sexy accent I couldn’t quite place. It made him even more appealing.

  “Hi,” I murmured, my voice trembling. I buried my face in my test to avoid further conversation with him. He chuckled as he looked down at his paper.

  “Miss Winters, would you happen to have a pencil I could borrow?” he whispered, leaning into me, his warm breath tickling my ear and sending another thrill of gooseflesh across my skin.

  I fumbled clumsily through my bag, fully aware of how red my face was, and handed him the pencil. When his fingers brushed mine, a surge of energy flowed through me. It surprised me, and I snapped my eyes to him quickly, only to find him staring back at me, his dark eyes locked on mine.

  “Thank you,” he said calmly, his eyes never leaving my own. I shook my head and pulled my attention away from him, forcing myself to get focused on my test.

  I was fully aware of Calix’s nearness the entire duration of the test. He seemed to take up the whole room, in fact, and it appeared he was already gathering a fan base.

  Mr. Gillis assigned us a simple lab for the remainder of the class, and I wasn’t surprised when he came over to our table as I was trying to dig out supplies.

  “Miss Winters, would you mind taking Mr. Night as your lab partner?” he asked kindly. He leaned down closer to me and continued in a low whisper. “You’re one of my best students, and I think he’d do well with you.”

  I nodded, swallowing hard, and glanced at Calix, who was studying me closely, an impassive look on his god-like face.

  “Y-yes, that will be fine,” I murmured breathlessly.

  Mr. Gillis nodded and walked away to scold Brad Jenkins, who was trying to set his chemistry book on fire with his Bunsen burner.

  “You must be very good,” Calix’s deep voice cut through my thoughts as I placed our supplies out on the table.

  “I’m OK,” I replied softly. He chuckled and closed the space between us. I looked up at him nervously, unable to breathe at his sudden nearness, an incredible rush of energy coursing through me.

  He reached forward and picked up the chemicals from beside me and began mixing them together like he was born knowing what he was doing.

  “You seem to know your way around a chemistry set,” I commented as I slid my protective eye gear up on my face.

  “I’m a fast learner,” he answered, glancing at me quickly.

  “Hi,” Sasha’s silky voice said from behind Calix. I groaned inwardly. Of course she’d make herself known; she was just as bad as Courtney.

  “Hello,” Calix replied, taking in her looks, his eyes quickly roaming from her toes up to her face.

  “My name is Sasha,” she simpered, holding out her hand. He shook her hand, his dark eyes shining as his lips curled into a small smile.

  God, he was hot.

  I bit my lip and turned away as Sasha twirled her hair and giggled. He listened to her while continuing to work on our lab. I pitched in and began writing notes, not once saying a word.

  I was surprised when I felt his warm hand on the small of my back suddenly, and I jumped. Sasha immediately fell silent as his attention roved to me.

  “Miss Winters, I think it would be wise of you to pull all that beautiful hair back before you catch it on fire,” Calix remarked gently, pushing my hair back over my shoulders. “I’d hate to play firefighter my first day here. I figured I’d save that role for later.”

  I squeaked out a thank you and hastily pulled my hair up into a messy ponytail. He was right; we were supposed to keep our hair pulled up in lab. I’d completely flaked on it.

  “That was nice of you,” Sasha said sweetly, touching his arm gently. He shot me a quick wink, and I felt my face grow red again. What was wrong with me? I was blushing more than a whore in church.

  “Sasha, as much as I’m enjoying our conversation,” Calix said suddenly, “I’d really like to get this lab done, and I don’t want you to miss out on doing yours. It looks like your partner could really use your help over there.”

  Channing Hastings was clumsily moving items around on their table, his large glasses falling down his nose and sweat dotting his forehead as he tried to work on their lab.

  “He’s fine,” Sasha said waving him off with a roll of her eyes.

  “What if I told you that your beauty is distracting me from finishing mine?” His voice was like silk, and I made a point of burying my nose deeper into the notes I was taking.

  “Really? OK,” Sasha breathed out, batting her eyes at him and stepping away from our table.

  “We can talk later,” he said firmly.

  “OK,” Sasha repeated breathily, continuing to bat her lashes. “I’ll hold you to that.”

  “I look forward to it,” he replied, the smile creeping back onto his lips. He was such a flirt.

  Sasha walked away, her hips swaying. I caught Calix watching her go, a smirk still on his face. We worked in silence for a few moments longer before I finished the last of my notes.<
br />
  “I think we’re about done here,” I said, clearing my throat and setting my pencil down.

  “I’d have to agree, Miss Winters,” Calix replied, looking over to me.

  “A-Ana,” I stammered.

  He stared at me, a smile dancing on his lips.

  “My name. Um, my friends call me Ana. You don’t need to call me Miss Winters,” I continued, feeling like a goon.

  “I was wondering when you were going to tell me your name,” he spoke lazily. I forced a smile and started putting our supplies away, hoping to get away from his suffocating presence. It wasn’t that I wasn’t enjoying the view, he just seemed to overpower me, and I felt like I couldn’t breathe.

  “In a hurry to get away from me?” he asked, suddenly breaking into my thoughts.

  “N-no,” I replied quickly, wondering if he was a mind reader. “I just like to have everything taken care of before the bell rings.”

  “A bit uptight, huh?” he mused, his voice suddenly stirring a familiar memory in my mind that I couldn’t quite place, like a whisper I’d heard before.

  “Excuse me?” I asked, taken aback. I was not uptight!

  “You seem like you’re wound a little too tight. So what if your supplies aren’t put away by the time the bell rings?”

  “That would make me late for my next class,” I huffed, my sudden irritation at his words nipping at me.

  “Which would make you uptight,” he concluded, laughing softly. I shot him a look, which only broadened the smile on his face.

  I shut my notebook a little too forcefully, folded my arms across my chest, and eyed the clock. I definitely couldn’t wait to get away from him. Who did he think he was anyway? So what if he was gorgeous! That didn’t give him the right to act like an ass.

  “You’re also a little sensitive,” he murmured, sinking down into his seat.

  “What?” I blubbered. “I am not sensitive!”

  “Then why are you so upset?” he prodded, his dark eyes shining mischievously.

  “I’m not! I’m . . . never mind,” I snapped, stuffing my books into my bag. I didn’t need to explain anything to him, and I wouldn’t.

  The bell rang then, and I grabbed my bag and hauled butt out of there before I said something I’d regret. The strange fluttering feeling in my chest intensified, and I glanced over my shoulder to find him staring at me, his dark eyes narrowed, Sasha already trying to cling to his arm.

  Chapter 3

  I was still fuming over Calix calling me uptight and sensitive. Where did he get off thinking he knew anything about me?

  “Hey, have you seen that delicious new piece of eye candy?” Mel’s voice cut through my irritated thoughts. I jerked my head up and gave her a disgusted look from over my school lunch.

  “I saw him,” I replied dryly. “His name is Calix. He’s a jerk.”

  “What? How do you know?” she demanded.

  “He’s my new lab partner,” I answered curtly.

  “Hot damn!” She gave a low whistle. “Jerk or not, he is one sexy mother fu—”

  “Seriously, Mel!” I shot her an irritated look, and she snapped her mouth closed.

  “OK, what happened? Spill,” she said, opening her can of diet soda.

  “He called me uptight and sensitive,” I huffed, dropping my fork onto my tray and turning to her.

  “That’s why you think he’s a jerk?” She laughed loudly, causing a few people to look in our direction.

  “No!” I snapped. “He just acts all uppity, plus he spent most of the class flirting with Sasha. It was annoying.”

  “Well, to be fair, Sasha is hot, and most guys would probably spend time flirting with her if she gave them the time of day. I mean until they actually get to know what a cun—”

  “You look unhappy,” Kellin commented as he plopped down beside me, effectively silencing Mel before her mouth got her into trouble. “Why are you sitting over here and not with everyone else?”

  I eyed our usual table, my mouth clamped tightly shut as I watched Sasha and Courtney giggle and whisper conspiratorially to one another, eyeing Amanda Fields, a quiet, mousy girl. I could only imagine the things they were saying about the poor thing.

  We usually all sat together, cheerleaders, jocks, and the more popular kids in school. It was a typical high school clique, and today, I wasn’t feeling it. I was definitely surprised Kellin decided to join us, though. It was no surprise that Mel would. She was a loyal friend who I knew would walk through fire with me if I needed her to.

  “Needed a break,” I muttered.

  “There he is,” Mel breathed, grabbing my arm and gazing at Calix as he sauntered across the commons looking totally badass, and if I were being honest, delicious, just like Mel had said earlier.

  He was still a jerk, though. I knew that much about him. I eyed him as he sat down beside Sasha. Her eyes lit up, and she immediately engaged him in conversation while Courtney moved to his other side, trying to draw his attention.

  “Looks like your girlfriend is talking to the new guy,” Mel commented, her eyes in the same place as mine were.

  Kellin stared icily over to the table where Calix was sitting. He was now surrounded by most of the cheerleading squad and a few random girls. Even the guys were looking at him like he was some kind of god.

  “I don’t like him,” he grumbled, his voice stormy. “He’s in my trig class.”

  “Did he call you uptight and sensitive too?” Mel snickered, and I elbowed her.

  “No, why? Who did he call uptight and sensitive?”

  “Ana,” she said, pointing at me and laughing. She popped a piece of her chocolate cupcake into her mouth and gave me a toothy smile.

  “He said that to you?” Kellin asked, a frown on his face.

  “It’s whatever.” I waved it off. “He’s a jerk.”

  “You have to admit, Kellin, Ana is uptight, right?” Mel prodded, winking at me.

  “Well, I mean, Ana knows what she wants.” Kellin shrugged, clearly uncomfortable. I bet he was rethinking his choice in seating.

  “Don’t dodge the question,” Mel pushed. “What do you really think of her? Come on. It’s just us here. Calix didn’t mind voicing his opinion, and Courtney isn’t here to kick your ass.”

  “Well,” Kellin started, shooting Mel a dirty look for being put on the spot. “I think Ana is smart, and if she wants things done her way then she has a reason for it.”

  “That’s a polite way of saying she’s uptight. Just admit it. She’s a little uptight. I mean, Ana, have you ever shown any cleavage or leg in your life?” Mel asked innocently. “It’s not like you don’t have both!”

  I widened my eyes at her and shook my head. She was unbelievable.

  “I guess she might be a little uptight, but she has her reasons,” Kellin replied weakly.

  “Great!” I snapped. “I’m uptight. I’m glad you all think so.”

  “And sensitive,” Mel added, taking another sip of her soda.

  “Whatever.” I picked up my tray and marched away from them, angry more at myself than them. I typically would have laughed it off, but Calix had angered me by saying it to me first. Maybe I was uptight. Big deal. It’s not like it was anyone’s problem.

  I spent the remainder of my lunch period in the library poring over my history book and outlining the next chapter.

  When the bell rang, I made my way to my history class and sank into my seat, still upset over being told I was uptight.

  “Hey, fancy meeting you here,” Calix’s deep voice sliced through my thoughts. I let out a sigh, and shot him my best irritated look.

  He chuckled.

  I dug my book out, continuing to highlight and outline the next chapter, then I heard Calix click his tongue.

  “Look at you, being so studious. I bet you’re a joy to hang out with,” he commented, looking over my shoulder. “Is that why you don’t have a boyfriend or go on dates?”

  “What?” I sputtered, turning to face him. How
did he know anything about my love life, or lack thereof?

  “Your friends Sasha and Courtney said you don’t date. In fact, they said you’re a virg—”

  “I swear if you finish that sentence I am going to shove my size sevens so far up your ass, you’ll be able to floss your teeth with my laces,” I interrupted angrily.

  His eyes glinted mischievously at my words.

  “And they are not my friends,” I added as an afterthought, wanting to make it perfectly clear to him.

  Amused, Calix roared with laughter, and a few people turned to see what was going on.

  “You are so feisty. I like that,” he remarked. “Not what I was expecting.”

  “And you’re an ass,” I snapped at him. I turned around in my seat and glared down at my book. The nerve of Sasha and Courtney! It was no one’s business what I did or who I did it with. That was going too far, even for them.

  I didn’t bother taking notes the rest of class. I was so angry that my hands were shaking. The moment the bell rang, I shot out of my seat and made a beeline for the door, and I was just squeezing through it when I felt a warm rush of energy flow up my arm. I gasped as I looked down and saw Calix had grabbed me by my elbow.

  “What?!” I burst out, trying to pull my arm away.

  “Hey, calm down,” he said, rolling his eyes. “I just wanted to give you your highlighter. You dropped it back there in your rush to escape. I figured your night would be ruined if you lost it.”

  I snatched the highlighter out of his hand and stuffed it into my bag with so much irritation, it looked like I was punishing it for falling on the floor.

  “You really should calm down,” he continued, his eyes taking me in.

  “You should really learn how to make a first impression,” I countered.

  “I’m sorry. I thought I had made an impression,” he smirked, squeezing my elbow a little and sending a shiver of energy through me. I pulled it roughly out of his grip.