year

ni

al shake. Focus, Venita

r heard my name pronounced so beautifully. The man st

versation with any lady at all and they would trip over themselves with the attention and yet he is h

t from the four other girls in the room. That makes me uncomfortable somehow, because like as not, there is a small part of me that wants to impress hi

ovement and his gaze on my exposed legs cause goose flesh to explode ov

ally. It is not because I am d

d." He

like everything that comes out of him lips. Raym

ll me Ray."

d I don't like my body's reaction to him, but I do ne

all me Nita."

kes hi

I would never shorte

ered before. I love it, way more than I

urself."

s chin to m

y well?"

ugh." I t

ause I don't mind surprising him with them l

ou play?"

ss from me. I know that because I vaguely noted him with my side-ey

s." He says

, thinking. "P

wind before bouncing back. My hand itches. I want to smooth it ba

ngers. I can just see them plucking the strings with ease. My brain tries to pull up

. "You have one

since I found him in front of my desk. Looking into his eyes is electric and I am sure that

I say triu

e says. "I bea

can picture him perfectly behind the drums,

t with one more try." I say, sagg

says. "The drums never ca

m. They would be plenty and heavy, a lit

I say and I am

s and I look up to find anot

'm Miles.

nd then the newcomer offers me

d." Ray

to me with a

ply to his sil

He says and gestures to the seat Ray

" Ray says

ustin's tune has come to an

leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I

ounds and my mouth goes dry at the proximity, at the intensity in his eyes. Are they always so intense

ing after the cl

o do after? Lake told me to run an errand for him on

s Atlas and I had to carry the weight of the world on my sh

it is blinding

k to his seat. He sits himself and his eyes find me. I turn away quickly to face my desk like there is something else on i

standing in front of the class, his flute

g us about the importance of taking care of our instruments. I don't turn to lo