““I wove my way between the tables, pulling my hair forward over my shoulders as I went.Alex was still sitting when I reached him. " Hey.This was on the floor in the upstairs hall... " I stood behind his chair.Completely frozen. I might have stood there for a very long time if he hadn't pushed himself away from the table to get up. The chair thumped me in the stomach first, then in the knees.I think I made a noise. I dropped his book. "Oh.Oh,crap.I'm really sorry!" Alex jerked the chair out of the way and bent down a little. He had to, to see my face. "You okay?" I did manage to nod. "Seriously.I must have really pounded you there.You sure you're all right?" "Yes,fine," I whispered. Across the table, Chase Vere laughed. "Dude, she was,like, standing right behind you.””
