The Seeker: Dreamer Part 2

"No, no way, Jack. I'm nowhere near ready for the streets!"

He reached over and took my hand. "Calm down. You're freaking yourself out!"

I rolled my eyes at him. I didn't feel like I'd ever be ready for actual streets with real cars.

"You need to start believing in yourself, Ally. You can do this." He kissed me as we switched seats so he could drive us. "So, what do you want to do for the rest of the day? I am entirely at your disposal."

"Really?" I gave him what I hoped was a lascivious look, but was probably merely pathetic. "Anything I want?"

"Let me qualify my offer: anything PG-rated," he countered.

I stuck my bottom lip out at him.

"Stop pouting. Maybe PG-13, depending on where we go. Happy?"

"Yes. Supremely happy. Would it be super-lame if we went to one of our houses and watched a movie? I'd really like to curl up on a couch with you."

"Not even a little bit lame, querida. Let's go to my house since Trina wants to fix dinner for you anyway," he said.

"That's sweet of her. And this way I get to spend time with Megan too."

"Do you only love me for my little sister?"

"I love you and your little sister. And you've got some special attractions all your own." I let my hand tip-toe across his chest.

He captured my hand and brought it to his mouth, kissing it and laughing at the same time. "Come on. Let's head over to my house. I guess I can share you with my family for the evening if I have to."

We ended up watching The Princess Bride with Megan and Jack's blue heeler, Sodapop, curled up between us. Jack and I both fell asleep before the Rodents of Unusual Size made their appearance. I woke up right as Wesley and b.u.t.tercup were sharing a final kiss and couldn't resist starting a tickle war with Megan, which in turn woke Jack up. He joined in, albeit a bit sleepily, until Megan skipped off to see if dinner was going to be ready soon. I took the opportunity to curl up right next to Jack, inhaling the spicy, warm scent, which was so much a part of him. The smell alone did warm, wiggly things to my insides.

Trina had, as usual, outdone herself with dinner. I don't think she had it in her to not go overboard when entertaining. Mat showed up about halfway through dinner, apologizing to his mother with a kiss on her cheek.

"Good thing you're finally home, Ally," Mat said around a mouthful of enchiladas. "My cousin was cranky while you were gone. All that pent-up energy. He seems so much calmer now."

"Mat!" exclaimed Trina.

"I will literally punch you in the face, you a-"

"Jack!" both Trina and I broke in, hoping to save Megan's tender ears. Mat laughed.

"Sorry, Trina." Jack slitted his eyes at Mat, which made him laugh harder.

"It's okay, Jack," began Manny. "Mat's just jealous. He's got n.o.body to spend his...energy on."

Score one for Manny. Even Trina laughed. Mat rolled his eyes.

"So, speaking of energy...where's your little friend, Ally? What's her name? Tia? Tammy?" Matt pretended to be stumped over my best friend's name.

"Are we really going to do this, Mat? What do you want to know about Tara?" I laughed.

"Pathetic, huh?" The rest of us, including Megan, nodded. "Fine. Please tell me if she's seeing anyone."

"Not that I know of, but I haven't had a chance to talk to her much since I got back. I'm spending the day with her tomorrow. I'll find out for you, but Mat, I don't think it's gonna happen with you guys. I'm sorry." I actually felt bad for him.

"Oh, you wait and see," Mat said. "I haven't even started yet. Tara and I are destined for each other! She just doesn't know it yet." I envied him the confidence I was sorely lacking in so many areas of my life.

CHAPTER FOUR.

"...he had a kind of light within that drew me to him like a moth to a candle."

Madeleine L'Engle The first day of a new semester dawned and I woke with mixed emotions. I had squeezed every bit of enjoyment out of the last week of vacation, spending every second I could with my family and friends because I felt a little bit cheated out of this Christmas break. This was Jack's last semester in high school before he would head off to basic training for army ROTC. We were heading towards such big changes and I felt like things in my life were fast slipping beyond my control. I was still plagued by the awful nightmare of being tied up and kidnapped, although I had hoped it would cease once I got home from Ireland. Instead, it had returned my second night home and nearly every night since. The dark circles under my eyes had taken up permanent residence and I knew my mom, Grams, and Jack were really starting to worry.

I had, against all odds, driven myself to school this morning-I only stalled out twice-and was now standing in the counselor's office, trying to get information about signing up for the ACT before the first bell rang. He was with another student, so I sat in a green vinyl chair, waiting.

"So, Ren, uh, Rem?" My counselor, Mr. Grant, stumbled over the name of the young man he was ushering out of his office.

"It's Remy, monsieur," the young man replied. He was very good-looking and, judging by his accent, French.

"Ah, that's it, yes. Well, here is your schedule. I'll try to find someone to help you find your first cla.s.s," he said and then spotted me. "Ah, Miss Moran. Perfect. Can you help this young man find his cla.s.sroom? He's new." The new guy looked surprised, or maybe interested is a better word, when he heard my name. Odd.

"Uh, sure. I was wondering if I could get information on signing up for the ACT? And could I make an appointment? I'd like to talk about my credits." The new student was staring at me with what could only be described as a smirk. It made me vaguely uncomfortable, although I wasn't sure why.

"Of course. I'll get you a packet and find a time slot for you." He disappeared back into his office. The new kid and I stared at each other, but whereas I felt awkward, I'm pretty sure he didn't; he seemed to exude confidence out of every pore. Was I the only one having a confidence crisis?

"So, you're new here?" I launched the first conversational volley when I could no longer stand the pregnant silence. "Did you just move to Albuquerque?"

"Ah, oui," he said with a shrug. "I'm on exchange for the rest of the year."

I am not gonna lie and say his deep voice with the accent wasn't the teeniest bit s.e.xy. I may have a boyfriend and all, but I'm not dead.

Mr. Grant came out of his office with an official looking packet. "Here you go, Miss Moran. The deadline for the March test date is this Friday, so be sure to go online and sign up." He handed me a slip of paper. "And here is an appointment."

"Thanks, Mr. Grant. I will." I turned to new exchange kid. "So, uh, you ready to go? I can help you find your cla.s.s."

"Oh, yes, let me introduce the two of you," Mr. Grant seemed a little fl.u.s.tered and rushed. "This is Ally Moran," he gestured to me. "She's a junior also, and a member of our varsity cheerleading squad." Wow. I had no idea my fame was so widespread that even the counselors knew who I was. "And this is Remy Giles, a new exchange student from France."

He reached out to shake my hand, but I suddenly knew, without the least shadow of a doubt, I should not let this boy touch me. Something inside me screamed to keep my distance. So, I awkwardly stared at his outstretched hand until Mr. Grant coughed and Remy slowly withdrew it. Better he think me a rude American than I let him touch me. Trying to cover the awkwardness, I asked to see his schedule, which he handed me with a knowing smile. "Well, we have 1st, 4th , and 7th together. Come on. I'll show you the way and introduce you around a bit, if you want."

"Merci," Remy said with a slight smirk.

"So, where are you from? And why Albuquerque of all places?" I had my hands stuffed deep in my jacket pockets as we walked so he couldn't 'accidentally' brush up against my skin. I can't explain-well, rationally anyway-why I did not want him touching me; I knew I couldn't let that happen.

"I'm from Rouen in Normandy." At my confused look, since I'm not up on my French geography, he continued, "it's about 130 kilometers northwest from Paris."

First geography and now the metric system? Yikes. "So, how did you end up in Albuquerque? It's kind of off the beaten path."

"Ah, oui." He shrugged again. It seemed like it might be a signature move with him. "There weren't many other choices this late in the year. If I wanted to come to the U.S., I had to be happy with New Mexico. Once I found out it was actually in the United States, I was fine with it."

I chuckled a little, as he seemed to expect. Yeah, we New Mexicans get that a lot.

"So, Ally. That's a very pretty name," he said. "Is it short for something? Alexandra, maybe?" Eww. I think he was starting to hit on me. Maybe. I don't have a lot of experience with hot French guys. .h.i.tting on me. Or any guys, actually. Jack was the sole exception, and I, sadly, pretty much had to chase him down.

"Nope. Not Alexandra."

"Let's see...Allison?" He was still smirking and I really needed to smack the smirk off his smug face. Hot he might be, but it doesn't excuse annoying in my book.

"Nope, not even close. Here we are: 1st period, pre-calculus." I led the way in and found a few of my cheerleader friends to loose Remy on. Maybe they would appreciate his French charm in the way he was obviously used to. I sank gratefully into my desk chair. Whew! I was not made for this flirting c.r.a.p! I took out my cell phone and texted a brief good morning to Jack.

Me: Hey. Good morning.

Jack: Hey beautiful. How r u? C u 4th period. Luv u.

Me: I'm ok. Love you too.

"So, a boyfriend? That's too bad." Remy was peering over my shoulder, reading my texts. Intrusive little creep!

"Do you mind?" I glared at him, hiding my screen.

He laughed and turned back to the girls who were, as expected, going nuts over him. I guess I couldn't blame them; he truly was very good-looking with golden brown hair, which fell over his forehead in a s.e.xy just-rolled-out-of-bed look and piercing blue eyes. He was dressed differently than the rest of the guys too. His jeans were cut in a way that made them look, I don't know...European, I guess. And he wore a scarf. Yeah. No guys in my high school, and maybe all of Albuquerque, wore a scarf, unless they were gay. Nothing wrong with being gay, but it was pretty obvious Remy wasn't. And the scarf looked good, d.a.m.n it. I could appreciate his physical beauty without being attracted to him because my reaction to him was definitely more on the irritated side than anything else. Something about him set my teeth on edge.

At the end of cla.s.s, Remy thanked me for showing him around and said he'd see me in 4th period. Then he headed off with a girl named Meredith. Good riddance. I tried not to think about him through 2nd and 3rd periods.

Jack was waiting for me outside of physics. I was so happy to see him after the morning experience with Remy I couldn't keep myself from giving him a hug and a fairly decent kiss, even though neither of us was much for PDA at school. It simply wasn't cla.s.sy. There's always an exception, however, and Jack certainly didn't seem to mind my kiss, returning it with enthusiasm.

"Hey, are you okay?" he asked as he pulled away. He ran his thumbs gently over the dark circles under my eyes. "I'm starting to worry, querida. You're not bouncing back like you should."

"I'm fine, Jack. I'm not sleeping well." Before I could elaborate, I heard a throat clearing behind me. Remy, of course.

"Ah, Ally, this must be the boyfriend. Bonjour, my name is Remy Giles." He extended his hand to Jack.

Before I could think to step between them, they were shaking hands.

"Jack Ruiz. Uh, nice to meet you." Jack made it sound almost like a question, which amused me. "So, how do you know Ally?"

"Ah, we met this morning when she was so kind as to show me around the school and introduce me to everyone. I thought we had such a connection, un coup de foudre. Love at first sight. But then I find you have a boyfriend and I am desolate, cherie," he addressed me at the end of his ridiculous speech.

"Whatever," I said rudely in response to his cheesy comments. "Remy is an exchange student, Jack. There was no connection. Let's go." I walked into physics, leaving both Jack and Remy to follow or not.

Mr. Chiszowski paired Remy with Veronica, as her former lab partner had dropped out at the semester. As we worked our way through a lab on series circuits, which, as usual, Jack understood and I didn't, I watched Remy and Veronica across the room. She was so much more subdued since her near-death experience at the hands of Coach Trevino right before Christmas. The old Veronica would have been at the front of the pack flirting and showing off for the hot new guy. This new Veronica sat hunched over her lab table, talking to no one, working quietly on the a.s.signment. I hadn't talked to her since I got back, which I regretted now. I was surprised to see Remy was different around her: he was quiet and seemed to show her a great deal of deference. It was a different side to him and I didn't know what to think about it.

"That guy bugs you, huh?" Jack looked up from our ammeter and voltmeter.

"Yeah. We didn't hit it off this morning."

He went back to recording the voltage of our circuit. "Well, good. I may not need to kick his a.s.s, then."

I laughed a bit and turned back to help him with the circuit.

After physics, Jack and I walked hand-in-hand toward the cafeteria. Annoyingly, Remy walked alongside, ignoring the fact we hadn't invited him to join us. He kept up a steady stream of inane chatter all the way to the cafeteria. I looked up at Jack, biting my lip to hold back a smile as he rolled his eyes.

"Ally, you are so kind to introduce me to all your friends," Remy said.

"I never said I would do that. You're simply following us."

"Being the new guy is not easy," he continued as if I hadn't spoken. "I'm so lucky to have found you, cherie."

"Please stop calling me that," I requested through clenched teeth.

"I may have to kick his a.s.s, after all," Jack muttered as we entered the cafeteria.

Remy again turned on his considerable charm as he was introduced to Tara, Travis, and Dustin. He took Tara's hand and, I kid you not, kissed the back of it, murmuring, "Enchante, mademoiselle." She clearly bought it, which was disappointing. They sat next to each other and I watched her completely fall under his spell. She actually simpered at him. Great. I was really hoping to find a way to distance myself from him, and he goes and immediately charms my usually taciturn best friend. Did she just giggle? Yuck. Why did he seem to be so intent on worming his way into my inner circle?

"Hey, let's all go to the movies tonight," suggested Tara, prying herself away from him momentarily. "Remy's never been to an American movie theater. Come on, it'll be fun."

I was having a hard time thinking of something less fun than going on a group date with annoying euro trash. I gave Tara a look that, I hope, said 'forget it, not happening.' She responded with a pleading look.

"Yeah, come on, you guys," added Travis. "We haven't been out together for ages, except after games. I want to hear all the details about what happened with you and Veronica."

Remy, of course, picked right up on this and wanted to know what he was talking about. Tara and Travis were interrupting each other to tell him all about the steroid scandal from last semester when I happened to glance over and noticed Veronica sitting by herself at a table. She looked depressed and miserable, so I got up and went over to her.

"Hey, Veronica. How's it going?" I sat down next to her.

She looked up from playing with her food. "Oh, hey. Ally. It's, um, going fine, I guess."

"I'm glad to see you back. I didn't know if you'd be able to come back this soon." Then I wondered if maybe I shouldn't bring up what had happened. Maybe she was trying to forget. I hoped I hadn't stuck my foot in my mouth.

"Yeah, I'm okay to come back to school as long as I take it easy."

"Are you coming back to cheerleading?" I asked hesitantly.

"I don't know," she began. "I'm not sure if I'm allowed. Or if I really want to," she ended on a whisper.

"Well, I hope you decide to come back," I put my hand on hers. "Veronica, come sit with us. Please?" She had said, when I visited her in the hospital, that she wished we could be friends again, so I needed to at least try.

She looked over at our table and sighed. "I don't know. I-"

"Please?" I asked again.

She said nothing, but stood up and began to gather her lunch and followed me back to where my friends were sitting. Remy stood up and pulled out the chair next to him for her. Jack muttered 'kiss a.s.s' under his breath. Remy was extremely solicitous to Veronica while still managing to flirt outrageously with Tara.

"So," began Dustin, before it could get too awkward. "Where are we going tonight? Why don't we catch a movie and then walk across the street to ABQ Uptown? We can eat somewhere there, like maybe Elephant Bar. How does that sound?"