Book #4

Jacey glanced around.  The chair beneath her was the same hard, cold plastic ones from her high school days.  Shifting slightly the chair made that unpleasant squeak - you know the kind that gets everyone's attention - like it did just now.   Plastering a smile on her face, Jacey looked back down at her notes. 

So far she's made note of the eleven people in the small room with her.  Not yet knowing the names of everyone she's made little notes of each person.

The pretty brunette *note - rather large smile*.

The loud blond *note - really big chest*. 

The list goes on and on.

Jacey glances back down at her cell phone.  6:05pm.  This was not leaving a good first impression.

Suddenly she hears a commotion in the hall way.

"Sorry guys!", the teacher said.  "I'm so sorry.  I had a small issue with Carl and it needed to be handled right away".  Jacey glanced around and she saw the other's with sympathetic looks on their faces. She wondered who this "Carl" person was and why everyone seemed so close.  Of course she was always used to feeling a little like an outsider.  Normally always keeping her nose in her books and making notes of others.

Jacey watched as the other's were suddenly overwhelming the teacher with questions.  His back was to her so she hadn't yet seen his full features.  From the back she could tell that he was very tall, guessing at least six foot, with dark hair that had a slight curl to it. She picked up her notebook as she continued her observations.

The dark hair teacher  *note - nice butt*.

Reading this to herself,  Jacey laughed out loud and noticed it quieted down.  She looked up to see everyone starring at her.  The teacher glanced over his shoulder.  She slowly looked at everyone's faces, finally landing on the teacher.  He slowly turned all the way around.  Jacey was immediately captivated by his piercing green eyes.  They were a green that was almost indescribable.  She felt her heart do a small flutter and she dropped her pen.

The teacher walked over, never taking his eyes off Jacey.  He bent down , grabbed her pen and handed it back to her.

"I think you dropped this?" he said.

"Uh, yes, yes I did."  Really?  That's the best come back she could think of? Ugh!

He stood up and held out his hand.

"Hi, I'm Lucas.  Most everyone calls me 'Teach', but Luc or Lucas are fine as well.  Is this your first time at one of these meetings?"

Jacey took a slow breath.  Here is her chance.  She better act the part or he will be suspicious.  She had to keep her cover for as long as possible. 

"Yes.  I have never done this before and I am a little nervous.  I don't really know what to say."  Jacey looked up at him and was trying to read the look in his eyes.  She squinted to focus her eyes better.

"What is your name?"

Oh! Shoot! A name! Think...think...my favorite librarian in high school was Linda Frankenhymer.  Linda sounded believable...right?

"Linda.  My name is Linda Frank."

Lucas glanced down at this peculiar girl.  With her sitting he couldn't tell her height , but he knew she wasn't too short.  He noticed her curls were in a wiry little pile on the top of her head.  Lucas wondered what it would look like if he pulled her clip out.  Mentally shaking, he tried to focus on what she was saying.  Linda, her name was Linda.  Funny he didn't picture that to be her name.

"Well Linda, we want to welcome you to the meetings.  I don't want you to have any high expectations.  The last thing we want to do is put pressure on anyone.  The important thing is to attend the meetings no matter what.  Do you have a sponsor yet?"

Jacey nervously glanced around.  Would anyone offer to help?  She didn't even think to try to mingle or talk to anyone. Glancing down and shaking her head no, she felt out of place. 

Lucas stepped to her side and placed his hand on her shoulder.  It felt large and warm and comforting.

"Can I get a volunteer for sponsoring?"

Jacey kept her head down but looked up to see who would volunteer.  She watched the group huddle together for a few minutes and then separate quickly.  Jacey looked up then to see a rather strange looking girl.  Feeling a connection instantly, Jacey smiled at her.  She smiled back.  "I'll do it teach.  I think I am ready to accept this challenge".

Jacey looked up at Lucas and could tell he was happy.  He had a huge grin from ear to ear.  Jacey couldn't get over how great his mouth was.  She would do anything in her power to see those smiles for the rest of her life.  Whoa.  What was she thinking?  Focus Jacey.  You are here on a mission.

"Donna, I think this is wonderful!  You are more then ready to be a sponsor.  You are almost done with your steps and ready to graduate soon.  You are just the person I had in mind."

Donna grinned and walked over to give Lucas a hug.  "Thanks teach."

"Alright everyone.  Let's get settled now.  Please go ahead and pick a seat."

Jacey watched everyone slowly disband and start taking seats here and there around the room.  Donna walked over to the seat next to Jacey.  "Hi" she whispered.  "Hello" I whispered back.  Donna continued "After class we will talk a little more and we will exchange phone numbers and all emergency contact information, okay?"

"Sure" Jacey said.

I noticed Lucas walking towards the front of the room.

"Hello.  My name is Lucas and I'm an alcoholic."

The whole group responded "Hello Lucas."

Lucas continued, "I've been sober for seven years now and used to be a horrible drunk.  Tonight we have someone new.  Her name is Linda.  Now we won't ask Linda to speak tonight, but Linda, you will speak at the next meeting.  Now - who would like to go first?"

Jacey watched Lucas go and sit at a desk with his attention on the next person walking up.  As if he could feel her watching him, he glanced back at her.  Jacey could not look away.  Lucas gave her a little wink and pointed his face back to the speaker.  Jacey gulped and looked around.  She had better come up with a believable story and quick.  Just listening to the pretty brunette was making her stomach hurt. 

Jacey just might be in trouble next week.