Zoe doesn’t scoff or judge. She just laughs. Genuinely laughs as if I’ve told a joke and it makes me so happy. Just hearing her laugh like that. I don’t even know this person and hearing her laugh makes me light up, easing the tension off my shoulders.
“First day nerves, huh? You’re going to fit in just fine here. I can already tell. Everyone will love you.” I watch her eyes travel down my body as she takes me in, before they land back on my face. She bites the corner of her lip, shaking her head ever so slightly.
“Does that include you?” I question, watching her cheeks flush a beautiful shade of pink.
That one move just made my fucking month.
“Why Boston?” She ignores my question.
“Fresh start.” I shrug.
She grins. “Not hockey?”
I laugh, rubbing the back of my neck. Looks like the entire school already knows. Did they send a newsletter before I arrived?
The hallway is utterly empty, except for the two of us. School is in session, and I’d like to know why Zoe was out of class to begin with. I also have to find my locker at some point, but I don’t dare interrupt whatever brief minutes I get with her. Hoping she makes a wrong turn or goes the long way so I can get to know her a little better.
I made up my mind about how this was going to go the minute she walked through those doors.
She’s going to be mine.
“Does the entire school know?”
She sighs, cringing. “Sort of.”
My shoulders droop. “Ah shit. I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.”
“I totally get it, but everyone loves hockey around here. You’ll be a superstar.”
Yeah, that’s what I’m worried about.
Sweet notes of orange and vanilla brush against me as Zoe leans in close, glancing over my shoulder at my schedule as I try to remain calm, telling myself it’s just a girl. A strand of golden hair brushes the back of my hand and I nearly lose my will.
I can’t take my eyes off her. Noticing ever freckle, every line, everything.
She is…god, she feels like everything.
“Oh! My brother Aaron is in Mr. Castor’s class. You’ll meet him. He’s super nice.” Zoe exclaims, beaming with excitement.
A brother. My age. That could be nice.
“Are you in the same class?” I ask.
“No. I’m two years younger.”
I try but cannot hide my disappointment. Thankfully Zoe doesn’t notice. She’s too busy pulling her phone out of her back pocket. Her cheeks turn red and a smirk appears on her face. A pang of jealously stabs me right in the chest because I know that look. I know when a girl smiles like that.
It doesn’t even matter if she has a crush on someone else or even a boyfriend. I’m going to change all of that soon.
She’s going to be mine. And we’ll become high school sweethearts. Going through life together and one day, I’ll marry her. Mark my fucking words.
Zoe stops at an old oak door. Turning to face me, she tucks her phone in her pocket and glances up. Taking in a strained breath, I try to focus on anything but those jade eyes of hers.
I could just get lost in those eyes for hours.
“Well, this is it.” She whispers, her eyes sweeping across my chest and biceps. A subtle hint of red splashes her cheeks andhope blooms in my chest. Maybe she doesn’t have a boyfriend. Maybe she was just texting a friend.
“Thank you, Zoe. It was nice to meet you. I’ll see you around?”
