Page 38 of Stealing for Keeps
His gaze slowly flicks from his notebook to mine, and then he nods. A half smile pulls up one side of his mouth, easing my worry and confusion.
“Yeah, all good,” he says quietly.
I write off the whole encounter, but when Mrs. Randolph tells us we’ll be working with partners for the assignment, Austin won’t meet my eye.
Heat creeps up my neck, and I try to play it off like I didn’t assume we’d work together.
He glances around like he’s hoping to work with someone else, but neither of us have really talked to anyone else since the start of the class, so it’s unsurprising when they all pair up and we’re the last two left.
“Everyone got their partner?” Mrs. Randolph asks.
Austin finally turns and looks at me. My cheeks are hot, and I’m certain my face is painted bright red.
“Austin? Claire? All set?” Mrs. Randolph asks.
Everyone looks toward us.
I’d honestly rather work on it by myself than withsomeone who clearly doesn’t want to be my partner, but when Austin says, “All set,” I don’t see how I can get out of it without seeming like he’s hurt my feelings. Either I have seriously misread his signals, or something is up.
“Great. You can use the rest of class to get started.” Before Mrs. Randolph has finished speaking, people are already moving around, dragging chairs closer and talking to their partners. “You’ll have some class time to work on it each week, but you’re probably going to need to find times to get together outside class. This is a big project and a significant portion of your grade. Have fun with it!”
Her smile is meant to be reassuring, but I am filled with dread as she takes a seat behind her desk, leaving us to begin. An awkward silence hangs between me and Austin while everyone else starts talking about the project and how they’re going to break it down.
In any other circumstance, I’d be excited. It’s essentially an art show. Eight pieces, four each, with a cohesive theme and feel. We also have to put together a marketing plan: flyers, social media campaign, etc. In terms of homework and school assignments, it’s not as terrible as writing papers or studying for a test. But the weird shift in Austin’s attitude today makes me wish for a fifteen-page research paper instead.
“So…” I say, trying to sound like I am completely unaffected by whatever his deal is. “Any ideas?”
Surprisingly, he does have some. We spend the class coming up with a concept we both like and deciding on our eight show pieces. His love of sketching and my love of painting are harder to combine in a way that feels like one collection, but when we have it all outlined, the weird tension has shifted.
It’s only when we’re smiling at each other, both excited about the project, that he slips back into the Austin who suddenly doesn’t seem to want to be near me. Like he’s controlled by a switch, his smile falls and his gaze drops. “I think we got it.” His voice takes on that distant, bored monotone again. “I’ll get started on my pieces tonight.”
I have no idea what to think about his sudden personality changes, but I decide that I’m not going to let it get to me. He’s just another immature boy, and my crush…definitely crushed. I must have imagined his sweet and charming traits, because this guy is far too much like all the others in this school: hot one minute, cold the next, and always wanting what they don’t have. I am not playing that game again.
“We should probably work on them together. At least in the beginning to make sure it works the way we think it will,” I say. I’m not letting his crummy attitude earn me a bad grade. My mom is already on me about not having the GPA or course schedule to impress colleges.
His green gaze pierces into me, making my nerves jump around. He nods slowly. “Okay.”
“What about after school today?” I suggest.
“I have practice.”
“After that?”
His stare is blank, but eventually he nods again. “Sure.”
“Do you want to come over to my place? My sister has dance rehearsals, so we’ll have the place to ourselves.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I realize how they might sound and want to groan. I keep smiling like it is no big deal. It’s not. We’re just working on a project together.
“Yeah.” He clears his throat. “Okay. Text me the address.”
The bell rings, and he stands up so fast, his chair almost falls to the ground.
By the time I make it to my locker, the halls are filled with people. Austin is leaning against his locker, looking far happier than he had all class. Sophie stands in front of him, Rowan and Vaughn off to the side. They all laugh, then Sophie leans forward and touches Austin’s arm. A flicker of annoyance passes through me. I stop at my locker to get my notebook for my next class, but I watch them out of the corner of my eye. Sophie eventually walks off, and as does Rowan. It’s just Vaughn and Austin. My ex and my…art class partner.
Austin is taller and his dark hair is longer. Vaughn is broader and his features harder. They’re each handsome in their own way, but seeing them together, it’s hard to imagine a time that I thought no one could ever compete with Vaughn.
I slam my locker closed. Nope. Not handsome and not interested.
I repeat that lie to myself the rest of the day.
