I felt the bus moving, heard the honk that allowed Brynn to weasel her way in front. I knew I was seated back far enough that she wouldn’t see me through the window now. It seemed safe. I pulled myself up and pushed the levers sideways with my thumbs to unlatch the window, then pushed down, welcoming the rush of air that greeted my clammy forehead. I tried to focus my attention elsewhere, so I began to think of Garreth and felt the queasiness slip away.

Why hadn’t anyone else noticed my fall? What was that horrible black smoke that, in the pit of my stomach, I knew didn’t come from the buses? And how was it that Garreth had gotten there just in the nick of time?

Regardless, I owed Garreth a lot. Maybe even my life.

I couldn’t help this connection, this attraction that was hitting me like a sledgehammer on the top of my skull.

Maybe I had an overactive imagination and I was gullible enough to believe Claire and her recommendation that I needed a boyfriend. I shivered at the thought of my bizarre day. So far, the only worthwhile part was Garreth. Deep down, I knew this crazy dream wasn’t just a dream anymore. It was haunting me — and letting someone in on it would be absolutely boy repellant. Maybe a boyfriend wasn’t the answer. I needed protection.

The truth was, I needed a life.

I was inwardly laughing at myself when I realized the bus had been stopped for several seconds and a half-dozen sets of eyes were boring holes into my head.

The bus had reached my corner and the driver was now directing an impatient stare at me from the gigantic rear view mirror.

I grabbed my iPod and my backpack and hauled myself quickly down the aisle toward the front of the bus, carefully avoiding the stares of the other kids who were now beginning to whisper in low, hushed voices.