Dear Laney

CHAPTER 3

The next few classes flew by real fast and before I knew it, we were all being sent to the hall for some big announcement. Sarah and I came to a halt waiting for Jessy, Lexie and Rex to catch up before we make our way to our seats. “I wonder what this is about.” Lexie says, staring blankly at the stage, already lost in her thoughts that are most likely about her best friend Jace. Slowly but surely, everyone began taking their seats. The slight murmur in the crowd came to a complete stop as Mr. Higgens stepped onto the stage and stood in front of the lectern, clearing his throat as a signal for us to shut our traps. Mr. Higgens is a tall and broad-shouldered man with straight, sharp features and black hair that was slightly greying at the roots. Nevertheless, he was terrifying and wore a scowl that screamed he was to be taken seriously at all times.

“Good morning students.” He says in a serious tone, “As some of you may know, our wonderful institution was owned by a man called Roman Hale, but since his recent retirement he has passed his duties to his older son, Nash Hale. I expect all of you to give Mr. Hale a warm welcome and to be on your best behaviour. Moving on into the year there may me some slight changes under the new leadership of Mr. Hale.” I wonder what he looks like? My question was soon answered when hot stuff stepped onto the stage and took his place at the lectern. “Oh my gosh, it's him.” I whisper to myself and then he makes eye contact with me. At this point I’m not sure if he was looking at me or not, I suddenly felt someone tugging hard at my hand and look down to see Sarah staring up at me “Sit down!” she whisper yells at me. I instantly turned red in the face when I noticed everyone staring at me and I slowly sat down trying to spare myself anymore embarrassment. No wonder he was looking at me. I shook my head in embarrassment.

“Good morning students.” He said, and once again I was drawn in by yet another one of his amazing features. Then my embarrassment continued, “Glad to see I brought someone to their feet.” I began to blush harder as I sank into my seat. He then began to speak and, in all honesty, I hadn’t heard a single word he said.

I don’t know how long I had been engulfed in the intoxicating voice that belonged to Nash Hale, but it had all too abruptly come to an end with the sound of Mr. Higgens dismissing us.

I was still dwelling on the depth of his voice when Rex’s gentle tap on my arm had brought me back to reality. You know, the one where I’m endlessly thinking about an adult male who is firstly way out of my league , secondly, the major age difference. This is just plain wrong. “Are you okay?” Rex asks, what do I even tell her? ‘Oh me? Yeah I’m good, just daydreaming of that fine ass man on stage.’ Yeah I think not, “I’m good, just tired.” say as I faked a yawn, nice save Elly! Rex nods in understanding when in actual fact, she doesn’t. Here I was thinking about how hot her older brother is and she’s asking me if I’m okay…

Damn, am I okay? I mean, I am fantasising about an older man when I shouldn’t be. I can’t even control it anymore, but there’s just something about him. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but boy would I love to. I roll my eyes at my previous thoughts, naughty Ellane. I had better keep these raging hormones in check, I think to myself as I round the corner and walk face first into someone’s chest. “Holy s**t! My poor nose.” I say while rubbing my now red nose but instantly froze when I heard someone say “Yeah, you might want to watch where you’re going.” I slowly look up and straight into the eyes of Nash, “Wouldn’t want to ruin that pretty face of yours now would we?” he says with a smirk and I look around to try and spot one of my friends but sadly see none of them, I turn to look back at Nash “I-I’m sorry Mr… Hale?” I say in a questioning tone and he nods with a chuckle “What’s your name kid?” he asks and I narrow my eyes at him, I absolutely hate being called a kid. “Ellane Summers, sir.” I say in a bored flat tone. “Ellane.” He says with a sparkle in his eyes and I couldn’t help but feel bedazzled by his charm and the way my name rolled off of his tongue “Beautiful name.” he continues. I looked at him feeling slightly confused. What could possibly be beautiful about my name? “Really Mr Hale?” I said and narrowed my eyes at him, this is all kinds of weird. “Yes, really Laney.” He teased, making the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Then a question pokes at my mind, “Do you usually flirt with younger girls, Mr Hale?” and his reply shocked the hell out of me “No, just you Laney.” He says with a smirk and winks at me and my jaw dropped. He slowly brings his hand up to my face and closes my mouth. “You might want to close that Laney, you’re drooling.” And with that he walks around me and straight down the hallway I had just come through, leaving me to turn around gaping at him while he didn’t even spare me a second glance.

What the actual f**k just happened? Mr Hale just flirted with me, and I did it right back. Its official, I have got to get my head checked.