Untouchable

Chapter 4: Contact

Chapter Four: Contact

I'm in love.

Completely in love, with the sun. I'd seen the sun maybe seven times in the last two months. It had even rained on the Fourth of July. I couldn't think of anything I wanted more than to continue to sit on my dad's front porch soaking in some well needed vitamin D.

A car honked. Stupid Monday. Stupid school. I glumly picked up my old backpack off the stoop, and headed to Jack's car in the street. He didn't even pull into the driveway. Well, I guess he feels comfortable with me.

I opened the passenger door, and hopped in. Jack was busting a move (and I used the term "move" loosely) in the driver's seat. He had Lady GaGa's "Just Dance" blaring from the speakers. I really need to invest in a camera.

He turned the music down and beamed at me.

"Wow, you're a morning person?" I snickered.

"What is there not to love? The sun is shining, my new best bud is here." I blushed. He pulled away from the curb and chuckled. "See, that's awesome. I can never get Ali or Lizzie to turn all red. With you I don't even have to try!"

I rolled my eyes. "Careful, you don't know if I have an arsenal of water balloons in this bag of mine." His smile widened to show a dimple, and began tapping on the steering wheel in time with the music.

"Aww Caterina, you wouldn't do that. Then I'd have to throw you in a pool." My smile diminished, but he didn't notice, so I laughed it off. He rattled on about the water balloon fight yesterday, how Ali and Will sneak attacked after Eliot tackled him.

Minutes later we arrived at SierraValleyHighSchool, the proud home of the Flamebirds. Yep, the school board sure knew how to pick 'em.

It was a huge school, with four main buildings and several smaller ones on the campus. I couldn't see any clear identification on the buildings.

Great. I was going to get lost.

We parked next to a gray FRS and a red convertible. They were nicer than any cars I had ever seen in my old school's parking lot, but here they were just part of the norm. Over half of the cars were drool worthy, and I knew crap about cars.

Jack walked me into school. Close enough to guide me, but far enough away that he wouldn't accidentally bump into me. Perceptive.

I hadn't thought about the ramifications of school. Touching, bumping, jostling, pushing. It would be everywhere. I began to panic. I needed to find my way around, and quick, because I was not-I repeat not-going to have an episode at school.

The halls were blessedly clear, and Jack led me to the office. A lovely woman with a volunteer name tag, Pam McGregor, greeted us.

I smiled, hoping to make a good first impression. "Hi. I'm Caterina Oliver. I'm new."

She nodded. "Of course dear. I have everything ready right here." She handed me some papers. One was my class schedule, and the other was a map of the school. Goody.

I indicated my thanks and turned to leave. "One more thing dear. Mr. George, the vice principal, wants to meet with you first." And this day started out so promising. My anxiety level went from a three to a seven in under a second. I did not want to be alone with a strange man. I looked up nervously at Jack who was flirting with one of the office assistants.

"I'll wait for you here Cate and walk you to your first class." He flashed a smile at Ms. McGregor and winked. "I'm sure Ms. McGregor won't mind writing me a late pass."