I strode into the congested cafeteria, eager to sooth my dry throat. Valerie was already in line, talking to some red-head girl from our class. I kept moving to join the string of people, deciding whether to go for iced tea or pink lemonade, when a tall figure with a black leather jacket stopped in front of me. The air was suddenly charged with electricity.

"Hey," Tristan said with a soft smile, holding his food tray with one hand, like some waiter pro. He wanted to talk to me. I ...