Jack laughed, surprised by the flash of humor. They fell into step together, navigating the crowded hallway. Students rushed past them, focused on getting to their next class. A few people called out greetings to Jack, and he responded without breaking stride. He was hyperaware of Rachel beside him, of the small distance between them as they walked.
“It's really different here,” Rachel said quietly. “Compared to where I came from, I mean.”
They reached the stairs, and Jack held back to let a group of upperclassmen pass before starting up. Rachel kept pace beside him, and he found himself constantly checking on her. “Where did you move from?” he asked.
“Pennsylvania.” Rachel's answer was simple, but her gaze shifted away slightly. “My aunt and I just moved here this summer.”
Something in her tone suggested more to the story, but Jack didn't push. Everyone had things they preferred to keep private. God knew he understood that. Growing up without a father had taught him early that some questions hurt more than others, and some stories were better left untold until the person was ready.
He showed her to her classroom, then sprinted to get to his. When lunch finally arrived, he grabbed his tray and scanned the cafeteria. Marcus waved from a table near the windows, and Jack headed over, observing many of the freshman athletes. The cafeteria was loud with competing conversations and the clatter of silverware. Most of the baseball team had claimed the surrounding tables, their voices rising above the general din.
“Dude, where were you?” Marcus asked around a mouthful of pizza. “You completely zoned out in English class.”
“Just thinking.” Jack set down his lunch and dropped into the chair across from his friend.
“About the new girl?”
Jack shot him a look. “Maybe.”
“Called it.” Marcus grinned. “So what's her deal?”
“She's just adjusting.” Jack unwrapped the turkey and cheese sandwich that his mom had packed that morning, along with a note telling him to have a good day. She still did that even though he was in high school now. Some things didn't change, and he didn’t care. He loved the notes. “Moving to a new place, starting at a new school. That's a lot.”
“And you're into that? I mean, she’s a looker, no doubt.”
Jack considered the question. He was almost fifteen and hadn’t started serious dating yet. But he’d hung out with a couple of girls over the past year, usually in group settings. They'd been nice enough, but something had always been missing. Some spark that made him want to know everything about them. With Rachel, that spark had ignited the moment he saw her.
“Yeah,” he said simply. “I think I am.”
Marcus studied him for a long moment, then shrugged. “Well, good luck with that. She seems like she'd be worth the effort.”
The rest of lunch passed with the usual banter about the upcoming football game and complaints about homework on the first day. But Jack's attention kept wandering to the cafeteria entrance, watching for dark hair and a quiet presence.
Rachel never appeared.
By the time school ended, Jack had almost convinced himself he'd imagined the entire morning. Almost. Then he walked out to the parking lot and saw her standing near the main entrance, her backpack clutched in front of her as she scanned the line of cars picking up students.
He changed direction quickly, drawn to her like a compass finding north. “Rachel?”
She looked up, and a smile touched her lips when she recognized him. “Hi, Jack.”
“Waiting for a ride?” He stopped beside her, adjusting his backpack on his shoulder.
“My aunt. She works at the Sea Glass Inn, so her schedule varies.” Rachel glanced at the parking lot again. “She should be here soon.”
“I could wait with you, if you want. Make sure you don't get left behind on your first day.”
Rachel's smile widened slightly. “I'd like that, if you’re sure. I don’t want you to miss the bus.”
“It’s all good. I have baseball practice anyway.”
“Oh…” Her brow furrowed. “Will the coach be angry?”
“Nah. It’s just early conditioning. We don’t play games until the spring, but we get to practice all year, no matter what sport we play.”
“Oh,” she said again, then blushed. “I really don’t know anything about sports.”
He smiled and nodded while they stood together in comfortable silence, watching cars pull up and students pile in. The warm fall air carried the distant sound of voices from the baseball field where some of the team had already started warming up.