Back To Where I've Never Been

Part 15

"I was hoping Ben would get you in this homeroom."

"Oh?" I eye him suspiciously. I don't know what his aim is and it's making me nervous. He's friends with my uncle, but I have a feeling that Jonas isn't the type to make friends just because someone is related to his best friend. To my horror, he plops his bag on the desk next to mine and takes a seat, kicking his legs up to rest on the cabinet portion. That's when I notice the desk is decorated with pictures of him, Ben, and a few other guys I don't recognize. There are a few with him and my other uncles too. He notices where I'm looking and grins, the lopsided smile more devlish than quirky.

"Didn't you know? I'm an honorary Rodenheim. I spend a lot of time at the main house, so we will see a lot of each other." He says the last bit with a hint of suggestion, raising an eyebrow in case I missed his subtle shift. I just stare at him, unsure how to respond. I've had boys flirt with me before, but not a lot. I've never even had a boyfriend. Never really wanted one to be honest. Half of the school thought Thyra and I were a lesbian couple anyway. In reality I'm just too busy doing super cool stuff like studying Egyptian hieroglyphs and Thyra only dates older men. Too late I realize I'd just allowed a super awkwardly long silence to elapse, thankfully Jonas looks more amused than annoyed. I quickly rush to fill the space,

"Let's be friends, then." What? Who says that? Like, are we five? Jonas laughs

"Ok, yes. Violet Price-"

"Rodenheim-Stewart."

"Already?" I nod. The smirk Jonas had been wearing since he came in softens to something more sincere,

"Congratulations, they are lucky to have you." I can feel the heat behind my eyes, I blink away the tears that threaten to make this exchange more awkward than it has to be.

"Ok, Violet Rodenheim-Stewart. Let's be friends." He holds out his hand, scooting his chair closer so that I can reach it. I shake his hand, a sense of déjà vu comes over me. Didn't we do this yesterday?

"Deal, Jonas, um"

"Hernandez"

"Jonas Hernandez. You are my first official friend at Woodridge who is not related to me. Please feel free to be honored."

"Oh I am, and I am intent on keeping that number one spot. You have met your biggest fan, Violet Rodenheim-Stewart." I laugh,

"You might have to beat out all my new family members for that honor." He cringes

"Yeah, I don't think I can compete with that. How about let's stick to best friend" When he sees me hesitating, he adds

"At Woodridge." I smile, nodding my head. He lets go of my hand to check his phone, frowning at what he reads.

"Ben wants to know why you aren't checking your messages. He's going to meet you at World Cultures and wants you to save him a seat." Just as he finished, the two-minute warning bell rings. World Cutltures, thankfully, is just upstairs from the wing where the Eagly Homeroom is. I still scramble to find my bag, turning on my phone to see it full of texts from my overly eager family. Sighing I shut if off, silently promising to answer them next break. I stuff my ipad into the bag with the new laptop and get up, slinging the bag over my shoulder. Jonas gets up to, his bag deceptively light.

"Know where you are going."

"Yeah, Celine showed me earlier." I say. A weird look crosses Jonas' face, but it's gone before I can decipher it's origin. He smiles, holding out his hand,

"Come on, I'll escort you anyway. Can't have our new queen getting lost of the first day." I'm about to protest, but then I see how crowded the hall is outside, I know the way to class but going out there alone is suddenly more than my fragile nerves can take. I'll accept the crutch when it's offered to me. But not literally,