Read Online Wander Dust by Michelle Warren - Free Book Online

way he did in his photo, and I melt back into my seat like lava.
    When Mr. Belmont walks past, I pretend I’m working, but really I’m thinking of the boy, wondering about him. Something pulls me toward him, and even when I look away from the window, I see him in my mind. Here, while I sit in class, his perfect image blocks any attempt of studiousness on my part.
    Now that I can inspect him from afar, he doesn’t really appear to be dangerous. I decide that when he grabbed my sweater that day at the L, he must have been trying to conceal me from the Grungy Gang. He really meant to help me.
    •
    On Wednesday, he’s back again. He’s visited every morning since the first. I try to ignore him. Despite his good looks, his daily appearance is starting to creep me out a little. It should be, anyway. Why can’t I get him out of my head?
    The thing is, every morning, he just stares at me like he’s trying to communicate with his eyes. He waves this morning, and I’m so sure his gesture is not for me, I crouch back into my seat, mortified. When I get up enough nerve to look back out, he’s still there, digging his hands into his pockets, looking back up at me with those eyes. Even from this far, they leave me unhinged and giddy. Quietly, they ask me to join him, and I decide that tomorrow, I might.
    •
    It’s Thursday, and I’m standing in front of Mona, trying to convince her I’m sick. I double over with a fake cramp, grab my side, and fall into my bed. For a moment, I think I’ve gone too far, but when she leans over and rubs my forehead, I can tell she feels bad for ever doubting me. With my track record, I can’t blame her. Behind a frown and a few moans of pain, I hide my happiness.
    She agrees to let me go to school late. Which is exactly what I need to confront my Stalker Boy.
    As soon as I hear her slam the front door, I jump out of bed and run to get dressed. I’m excited, but mostly nervous, so I start to second-guess myself. My stomach does a flip as I walk out the front door. Because I’ve worked myself into a frenzy, I really am feeling sick now. Maybe I never expected part one of my plan to work, but now I have to decide part two: What will I say to him? How will I confront him?
    I’m ready to run back inside and throw myself into my bed. That would be so much easier because when I think about talking to Stalker Boy my body goes numb, and all I can feel is my fluttering heart, pounding out of my chest. This is stupid. I don’t even know him, but I wish I did.
    I’m a block from the school when the morning bell rings in the distance. Timing is essential, so I slow my steps until they quietly crunch the salted sidewalk. Maybe this is a mistake. He seems friendly, but what do I know? I do call him Stalker Boy for a reason. What if he is dangerous, like a real stalker? Or he really is part of the Grungy Gang? There’s no way for me to be completely sure.
    My brain is off in a new direction. Now, I’m positive this is a stupid idea. I’ll confront him, and he’ll kill me, or I’ll go and find he’s really been staring at someone else every day. That would be extremely embarrassing.
    When I finally step into the courtyard, my nerves are wound so tight I might explode. I decide to let the meeting play out. Whatever happens, happens. This is the best I can do. The thought helps to calm my nerves. He’s just a boy, and I’m just a girl. A very stupid one.
    I stop in my tracks and scan the snow-covered courtyard. He’s not here, anywhere. Walking up the school steps, I look over my shoulder several times, thinking he’ll be behind me when I turn around, but he isn’t. I realize that I’m an idiot.
    After hanging my coat, I step into the classroom. I’m only a few minutes late. Mr. Belmont barely glances in my direction when I interrupt his lecture. Deflated, I walk to the corner and throw myself into my armchair.
    Next to me, Macey plays with her phone, pretending to take notes. She looks up at me