The Guardian Read Online Free PDF

strong. You’re brave. You can do this.” Over and over, like a litany.
    Before I can give in to my panic, we’ve moved beyond the corner. But it’s still awful because I’m leaning on Gabriel, in the literal and figurative senses. The feeling of security’s so huge, such a relief, that I can’t trust it. I can’t depend on him.
    “I’m fine,” I lie, pasting a bright smile on my face and stepping away from his warmth. The minute our contact breaks, I feel cold and strangely bereft. “Let’s go.”
    Gabriel keeps pace as I charge my way toward school. At the crosswalk, I reach for my bag, which Gabriel surrenders with a barely noticeable amount of reluctance. It’s better if we part company before anyone notices us. After all, my goal is to be invisible, and Gabriel’s about as visible as they come. With his celebrity looks, he couldn’t be inconspicuous if he tried. Something akin to physical pain settles heavily in my chest, as I mentally dismiss him. Crap!
    “Thanks, Gabriel. I’ll be fine from here.” With a drop of his hand he nods.
    The light changes and I hurry across the street in the middle of a yellow mob of kids, determined not to glance back over my shoulder. My heart twists, as if it misses him already—totally ridiculous since I just met the guy. Walking straight to Algebra, I keep my head down carefully skirting around any dark ones in my way. In the classroom, I sit in the same front seat as the day before. About as far away from Jonah Wilkes as I can get.
    A second later Gabriel slips quietly into the second row, one seat from the end. As he adjusts his desk, I realize he’s directly between me and Jonah. He grins, despite my scowl, and the effect he has on me is more powerful than ever. My stomach somersaults while I grip my desk so hard my knuckles whiten. The whole class is focused on him—for he’s too beautiful to be overlooked—chattering excitedly. Out of the side of my mouth I hiss, “What do you think you’re doing?”
    He answers me the same way. “Math.”
    Girls are twittering about him, using words like hot and doable . As the teacher calls the class to order, I glance over my shoulder and whisper, “You have this class?”
    He leans forward causing his sandy-blonde hair to flop over one eye. “I do now,” he whispers back with a conspiratorial wink. Everyone’s staring at him—and me.
    Mr. Ramirez clears his throat and I’m out of time to suggest to Gabriel that he sit somewhere else. My face is burning as I sink down in my seat. For the next hour I pay rapt attention to the teacher, but it might as well be Greek. I don’t comprehend a word.
    I do learn Gabriel’s last name is Kustosz .
    When the bell rings I’m one of the first ones out of my seat, but before I can escape, Gabriel’s at my elbow following me down the hall. Although I'm ignoring him, we’re too close not to be together. I’m hyper aware of his heat, his halo, his amazing woodsy smell. All around us, I hear bits of conversations—kids talking about us—about me. Feeling their scrutiny, I don’t dare look at anything other than my shoes as the humiliation burns in my cheeks. Inspiration flashes and I halt, suddenly.
    Pausing to let Gabriel get ahead of me doesn’t work. He stops too, his familiar hand coming to rest against the small of my back. I stare straight ahead, keeping my voice discreet. “What’re you doing?”
    His voice is also low—low and amused. “Going to our next class, Alexia.”
    Unable to help myself, I turn and glower at him. My response is out of control and louder than I want it to be. “There’s no ‘our’, Gabriel. There’s ‘yours’ and ‘mine’. No ‘us’!” Everyone within earshot is curiously watching, ravenous for gossip
    He’s tranquil in the face of my anger, his smiling eyes radiate patience. Looking down at me, he tucks an errant strand of hair behind my ear. His fingertips softly graze my cheek causing me to shiver. Instantly, I feel as