Siren's Song by Heather McCollum Page A

bonfire near the golf course, Saturday night. We could, you know, go together.”
    â€œMathi–Matt,” Luke says softly. It sounds like a warning. My gaze ping-pongs between them.
    But Matt holds up his large paw. “I just want her to know she’s got options here.”
    What the hell? Options? Is he serious? “Um, geez, Matt, thanks, but I’m already going to the bonfire with my best friend , Carly. You know Carly…Carly Ashe.”
    â€œGod, yes, I remember Carly Ashe.” Matt smiles and holds his hand to his heart like he is remembering the love of his life. “Carly Ashe has the sweetest little a—”
    â€œEnough, Matt,” Luke says and shoves him. Matt must weigh close to two hundred pounds, but his body flies across the hallway into a set of lockers. Matt comes back, a casual strut at war with the anger building like a nuclear mushroom in his eyes. He doesn’t seem hurt at all.
    Luke stares him down. “Coming back for more?”
    Several teachers step into the hallway at the commotion. Students gawk, a few stepping up to fill the teachers in on the tense situation.
    Luke’s face ices over.
    â€œMaybe later, brother ,” Matt draws out the last word. He smiles at me despite the sharp glint in his eyes. “Just think about it, Jule. You’ve got options.” Matt saunters off. I let out a little huff in bewilderment, my eyes wide.
    Matt is the second guy telling me to “think about it” in the last twenty-four hours. Options? What the hell does that mean? Did Luke say he liked me? I don’t think Luke’s given me an option. What would I say if he did? The thought clenches in my stomach, sending a ripple of adrenaline out through me in all directions. It’s the same thrill you get at the end of the slow, jolting trip up a rollercoaster as it crests, just before you plummet toward possible death.
    I walk numbly into the chemistry room, my body overloaded with nervous energy. Once again, all eyes seem to be on me. Soooo what I don’t need. Taylin stares me down as I take my seat next to Kiara. My knee bounces up and down rapidly under the desk.
    â€œWhew,” Kiara whispers loudly. “What was that about?”
    I shake my head as Mr. Perkins begins a lecture about not loitering in the halls before class. “We have a no-tolerance policy toward violence at Cougar Creek, or even threat of violence.” Everyone might be glancing toward the back where Luke sits against the wall with Taylin, but I know Luke’s staring into my back, where I swear my skin warms.
    Chemistry drags as I try to concentrate on the information Mr. Perkins jots on the board. In the end, I just copy everything he writes. I don’t even know what the topic is. Apparently, my absorption of details doesn’t pertain to chemistry.
    At the tone, I bolt out of my seat and stride toward the girl’s bathroom. It’s bad enough Luke will be in my next two classes, I don’t need to walk with him, too. He brings way too much attention to me at a time I’d like to just blend into the pale concrete walls. Forget that he’s gorgeous in every way I can think of. Forget that he said I smell like flowers and have silky hair. Forget the soft feel of his fingers along my cheek when he touched me. He is too complicated. My life is way too complicated already without worrying about a guy with a temper problem bringing every set of eyes toward me.
    After splashing water on my face, reapplying my lip gloss, and ignoring the triumphant, faux-pity stare of Rachel Manx, I head out to grab my English notebook and run to class. As I round the corner to my locker, Luke and Matt are standing toe to toe. I freeze. Taylin turns to pierce me with a thorny stare. She grabs Luke’s wrist and the two guys turn my way, but I’ve already decided to go to English without my notebook. Maybe I need to start carrying the contents of my locker with