7. A single moment

A single moment

PARKER

Her face flushes, but it’s not the kind of blush that makes a girl’s skin go blotchy or look like a tomato. Her cheeks light up like she’s wearing makeup to highlight her sharp cheekbones. Her entire body appears to glow with the colour, giving her an ethereal look that steals my breath and my voice. That one moment will forever be burned into my mind and heart. The feel of her small frame enveloped in my arms was like holding the most precious jewel. I’m not even sure what possessed me to pull her to me. All I felt at the time was a protective instinct that overwhelmed everything else.

Well almost everything else, I still want to go clobber the idiots who jostled her around. A girl like this should be protected, cared for, not shoved and pushed.

My own thoughts have me staggering back from her, my eyes wide and my mouth floundering like a fish out of water.

Not once in my entire life, have I ever wanted to put someone other than the twins before myself. The girl before me is a Siren. Has to be. There’s no way I’d fall for someone in a matter of seconds, let alone want her as much as I do right now.

Out of sheer terror, I storm away, not bothering to look back at her.

How dare she use her powers on me!

The second I’m in my seat next to Drew, I growl, “Bets off. She’s person non grata.” Drew doesn’t argue, simply frowns at me then nods his head and turns his gaze away from the door. He knows I’d never stop a bet without a really good reason. Despite his curiosity, he’ll wait until we’re alone before asking any questions. My own body betrays me, my head turning to watch as she makes her way through the classroom and into one of the front row seats. I’m out of my seat and marching towards her before my brain starts working.

“I told you, no one sits here, it’s not safe.” I grasp her upper arm firmly, careful not to hurt her as I tug her along beside me. I steer her to the seat next to mine just as Jamie joins us. He stares first at me, then at her, trying to figure the new dynamic out but I just give a slight shake of my head to let him know not to ask now. He nods and slips into the seat on her left. Drew leans over her, holding his hand out for her to shake, “Drew Emeralds. My brother Jamie and our best friend, Parker Walker.”

I hold my breath as she opens her mouth and laughs. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. Yeah, no, I’m out.” The three of us reach for her at the same time but she vanishes, reappearing at the front of the classroom just as Brightwood walks through the door. The fucker takes one look at her standing next to the first desk near the door and his entire face lights up like he’s just been told he’s getting all of his dirty dreams coming true at once.

I brace myself for the fallout but the girl just sits down, lifts her left leg over her right and folds her arms, glaring at Brightwood, daring him to try something. To my utter shock, Brightwood’s smile drops, his entire body going ridged before he scurries away to the opposite side of the room. Not once throughout the class, does he even glance in her direction. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.