Teaser Tuesday!

Because a few of us over at AW noticed that Teaser Tuesday has been sadly dying out, and we are determined to bring it back... I've decided to tease from my super sekrit project!

Now, I haven't talked about this one much on here because, as I mentioned, it's super-sekrit. But without giving too much away, this is a YA contemporary thriller. And it's fairly dark and gritty because everything I write needs to have the opportunity for action sequences, death, and/or explosions. Otherwise it just wouldn't be me!* So here goes. From the opening of sekrit project, known only for the moment as Criss-Cross:

Cold tile digs into my knees. My shins throb, and my thighs quiver. But I don’t move. Not yet. I don’t want to seem too eager.

I keep my eyes on the floor as he zips his fly. Once upon a time, that sound sent shivers up my spine. Another round, another risk, another day we haven’t been caught.

But the shivers have gone. Along with the butterflies and the kisses and the I love you’s.

Five more days. Then I leave it all behind.

The bell rings, and I jerk upright. At the same instant, the classroom door opens, and two equal yet opposite thoughts race through my mind. Notice me notice me notice me; don’t notice don’t notice don’t notice.

Composed as always, he lashes out his hand. A pencil drops to the floor. Starts to roll, almost in slow motion, beneath the desk. I reach for it automatically. I know what’s expected of me.

“Thank you, Vivian. I didn’t even see that fall!” He laughs a huge, deep laugh that used to make me smile too.

“No problem, A – Mr. Campbell,” I answer, stammering over the change in scenery. In private it’s always Aaron. I remember the silent thrill the first time I said it. Nobody else calls him that but me. Now I’d give anything to be one of the nameless, faceless blur of students pouring into his room. To be unremarkable.

I grab the desk on my way upright. One of my knees cracks, and I wince. Too long in one position. Students parade past me as I snatch up my backpack and jacket. Three steps until I can shoulder my way out of the room, and then –

“Hey Vi!” A shoulder slams into mine, and I stagger, off-balance. “Whoa, you okay?” Hands wrap around my biceps and I freeze.

“Amy.” My baby sister’s big almond eyes stare into mine, framed by her too-wide smile and stringy black bangs, cut to look just like mine. Not only are we the only two Thai kids at our school, but we could pass for twins, despite the four year age difference.

I swallow hard, force the bile back down my throat. “What’re you doing here?”

She laughs. “Class, silly. Remember, it’s Move-Up day? I’m officially in high school now!”

Of course. The day at the end of the year when all the little eighth graders take the bus to the high school for trial classes. So they can pick up reading lists and prepare themselves for the years that actually matter. The years that determine if you’re good enough – for high school, for college, for life.

Wordlessly, I turn to face Aaron – Mr. Campbell. He’s smiling his masquerade smile. All bubbly and gilded on the outside, hiding the deeper feelings I’ve learned to see. Right now, excitement radiates from the corners of his lips. Those mischievous lips, below sea-blue eyes and perfectly mussed brown curls, would knock movie stars off their feet.

He told me he modeled for an underwear company once, in college. I believe him. I’ve seen the abs and pecs his loose work shirt hides.

In a way, beauty suits him. The most poisonous reptiles are often the loveliest.

“Vivian, didn’t I mention?” he says. “Your sister will be one of my students next fall.” He extends a hand to Amy, who lights up brighter than the marquee at the theater where we always watch Sunday movie matinees, reruns of old classics mostly.

I should’ve seen this coming. Oh god.

My little sister.

* I see you hiding now...