When We Love - Page 18/36

VINCENT

I watch her walking shyly to Anne's desk, and she sits down. The sun glimmers on her hair and I feel a strange twinge in my heart, a feeling I have never experienced before.

I notice with a sudden thrust of jealousy the way she looks at Johnathan and I try to look away, but it is as if she has weaved a spell around me, and it is only by force I am able to look back at Mr. Johnson and concentrate on what he is teaching us.

The bell chimes, an irritating xylophone sound, and I pick my bag up from off the floor.

By accident, I end up walking out of the classroom, behind her and Anne. When she turns to reply to something Anne said, I notice with a plunge in my stomach, her elongated neck, the little wisps of hair and her perfectly shaped ear.

What is wrong with me? I wonder frustrated and it is with relief I notice Dennis walking toward me. He would be able to take my mind off this unwanted state of affairs.

I cannot believe I could be so attracted to this girl - not only is she the complete opposite of me, but never have I ever had the slightest interest in a white girl before.

" Hey, Vincent," Dennis greets me as he walks toward me.

" Hey," I catch myself still frowning, and then I smile.

" Have you got any news yet from Mr. Jackson?"

We walk in the opposite direction of Anne and Chrissie, and I say, "Yeah, he phoned last night and he wants to meet with us tomorrow afternoon."

" Great."

We walk in silence, and when we cross the quad, I cannot help looking back at Chrissie and I notice her standing next to Anne, while Anne is speaking to one of her many superficial friends.

All the girls walking past Dennis and me greet us friendly and usually I find this flattering, but today it just feels overbearing.

Dennis interrupts my thoughts, "Are we practising today?"

" What do you think? I think we should just have a break today and see what Mr. Jackson wants first."

" I suppose you're right, we should take this afternoon off. I need to start spending some time with Clara anyway," Dennis says with a sigh.

I laugh, "Yeah before she leaves you again. I swear girls are so fickle, they want to be with the pop star, but then they don't want to put up with waiting around."

" She's getting there. Are you going with to that new Blues Bar this weekend?"

" Might as well."

" There's usually a few single 'hotties' hanging around."