by Pam Tribble
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The next morning, Lyra spent a little more time on her appearance, though she didn’t admit to herself why. She chose a new, pink, scalloped-edged blouse she’d gotten at her mother’s urging and slipped on her Nichole Simpson ballet flats. She brushed her hair back, but left it down and added a dusting of powder in addition to lip gloss. She stopped herself from reaching for the mascara. No need to look like I’m trying, she chided herself.
She got to her first class without seeing Jonah. But as she walked from first period to second period History, she saw him come out of the chemistry lab heading their way. Aimee walked beside her chattering on about how much English homework they’d been given, but Lyra barely heard. Jonah’s head was down. He was dressed in black jeans and a soft gray v-necked shirt. He was nearly to them when he looked up briefly and caught her eye before his slid away again. She’d had her friendly smile in place this time. Was he shy, she wondered?
When she got to algebra later that morning, he was already seated. He was flipping through the course book and didn’t look up as she walked past and took her seat behind him. He smelled good—clean and woodsy. His dark hair was in disarray as though he’d been running his fingers through it. For some reason, his nearness was distracting. Every time he moved or shifted in his seat Lyra noticed. She leaned around him, focused her eyes on the teacher, and tried to concentrate on the problem she was working out on the board.
They both had lunch next and Lyra resolved to speak to him after class. When the bell rang, he remained seated waiting for everyone to pass before he got up. Lyra left with the others, but stopped just outside the classroom door. She took a deep breath and got her smile ready again. When he came out, he looked startled to see her standing there.
“Jonah, right?” She asked, craning her neck slightly to meet his gaze.
“Yes.”
She hadn’t just imagined how deep his voice was yesterday. “Hi. I’m Lyra Grant.”
He eyed her warily. “It’s nice to meet you,” he said somewhat formally. After a second of awkward silence, he turned and started walking toward the cafeteria.
“Yeah, well, I um, just wanted to introduce myself,” she continued, jogging a couple steps to keep pace with him, “and I wanted to also let you know we’re neighbors.”
He stopped abruptly and she nearly bumped into him. “Really?” He eyed her curiously.
Lyra realized it would seem odd that she knew where he lived when she only met him five seconds ago.
“You know, small town—word travels. My dad, he’s friends with Jimmy, the real estate agent. My dad said you were from the city…Anyway, we live in the house just down the hill.” Was she babbling?
He’d resumed walking. “Well, thanks for letting me know. It’s nice to know we have such…ah…sociable neighbors.” The one side of his mouth Lyra could see while walking beside him crinkled up at one corner slightly. His tone of voice, however, left her to wonder if he really did think it was nice.
They were nearly to the cafeteria now. She tried again. “So, I know it must be hard starting a new school and all and I was, um, wondering if you’d like to sit at my table during lunch and I could introduce you to my friends.”
He pulled open the cafeteria door, and held it for her. She walked through it and stopped to wait for his reply.
He stared down at her for a long moment, his face unreadable. “Did your dad also tell you to be polite and introduce yourself to your new neighbor?”
Lyra flushed deeply, dropped her gaze, and stammered. “Um, well, my mom actually, but, I was going to do it anyway.”
Amusement lit his eyes for a moment, but then vanished and a crease appeared between his brows. He looked at her intently again, then brusquely replied, “Thanks all the same, but I’m not interested in meeting your friends and I prefer to eat alone.” And with that he walked away from her.
She stood there in shock, motionless in sea of moving bodies. Well, so much for being neighborly, she thought irritably. Maybe she shouldn’t have been honest about what her dad said. Had she hurt his feelings? She was bumped from behind which startled her into movement. She went and put her books on the lunch table. Katie and Trevor were already there waiting for her to get into line with them. Katie was looking at her in awe. “What were you talking to Jonah Forrester about just now?” she wanted to know.
“I just introduced myself and invited him to eat lunch with us, but he said no.” Lyra shrugged attempting to appear indifferent, though her cheeks still burned with embarrassment.
“He turned down a lunch invitation from the best looking girl in the school?” Trevor asked, indignant. “What’s wrong with that guy?” He slung his arm over Lyra’s shoulder, guiding her to the end of the lunch line.
“Thank you, Trevor, but everyone knows your fair sister here is by far the loveliest maiden at Placid High,” Lyra returned with a laugh, disentangling herself.
“Yeah, but that’s only because she looks just like me,” he quipped.
They went through the line, but Lyra no longer had an appetite. She kept wondering about Jonah’s apparent aversion to her. She continued looking over at him out of the corner of her eye. He had gone to sit at the same deserted table as yesterday. Try as she might, Lyra couldn’t seem to stop herself from watching him.
Compassion eventually overrode her irritation. Lyra was very accustomed to spending time by herself. She enjoyed solitude more than most of her friends. But as she continued to look at Jonah Forrester sitting at his solitary table, Lyra thought she’d never seen anyone so alone in her life.
