Chapter 1

I have four words for you: I hate gym class. I hate several things about it, one being that we have to change into shorts and a shirt only to have to change back an hour later. They give us five minutes to change and there are only three stalls, which are usually taken up by girls who want to apply makeup in the full mirrors. I’m forced to change in the middle of the locker room or wait for the locker room to clear out and be fifteen minutes late to class.

Another reason is because of the fact that the sports that we play are taken way too seriously and this is a co-ed gym class, by the way. I had a guy scream in my face because I couldn't hit a baseball that was thrown about four feet to the left of me! They take the games way too seriously, especially the jocks who are forced to participate.

Oh, and the last and final reason is the fact that people get to sit out yet still get a passing grade while I struggle to maintain a C in that class! And Noah Rivers happens to be one of those students. I'm pretty sure he's a bit older than Marissa but that's beside the point. You'd think that because he’s fit and seems like he’s good at sports he'd be one of the shouters but no, he just sits on the bleachers, either writing or reading, or even messing with a high tech camera. A bunch of girls sit out too, but I'm not complaining because that helps to keep the amount of girls in the locker room down.

I was drawn out of my angry reverie by the screamers doing what they do best and shouting in the coach’s direction, asking what we're going to do today. I awkwardly adjusted my stupid gym shorts. “Coach, what are we playing today?”

“Volleyball, Ronnie, you're captain, Vic, you're captain. Pick teams.” I instantly knew that I’d be the last person chosen, I always am. I sighed as I rested against the wall along with everyone else.

They began calling out people, starting with the athletic guys before trailing into the athletic girls. Then they began choosing anyone who looks like they could hit a ball pretty hard or someone they know could hit a ball pretty hard. I obviously didn’t look like the type because I was one of the last three people. The guys groaned as they chose people who had no potential when it comes to sports. Ronnie, the guy’s team who’s forced to endure my presence, groaned when I walked over to their side of the net.

We set up; I was in the front and I started thinking about how this game could go. I imagined myself doing a triple back-flip in order to save the ball and Ronnie would no longer be upset about me being on his team; in fact- I’d be the star player. Nobody would complain about me being on their team ever again. “You, girl!”

My head snapped up when I heard shouting. I immediately saw the ball flying towards my face at crazy speeds and I hastily swatted it away, causing it to fly over to the bleachers. It came whizzing down and hit Noah straight on the top of his pretty little head. I gasped when he looked up, his eyes narrowed and his face filled with rage. As his eyes grazed over the team, everyone turned their gazes towards me. Way to be on my side, guys. He glowered at me as if memorizing my face. I knew that I was on his list of people he wanted to pummel.

Well, there goes our chance at a budding friendship.

<<>><<>> 

I knew that it was definitely risky to take up his sister’s offer, seeing as they lived together and he now hates me with a passion. I knew that I would have to apologize at one point and I wanted to do it in the eye of the public so he couldn't stab me or anything.

When I arrived at lunch, people stared at me as if I committed a heinous act. Is hitting someone who’s known for their excessive amounts of anger a crime? It should be. I’m sure I’d be a heck of a lot safer in a jail cell than out in an open space. I sat down at the usual two seat table in the back of the cafeteria. The back is set up like a café, perfect for loners who don't want to have to deal with 7 open seats around them. Instead, we only have to deal with one. I usually prop my feet on the seat though or I put my bag on it.

Instead of the chair being used as a usual foot rest, someone actually used it as what it’s meant to be. I jumped nearly a foot in the air before sighing. Marissa laughed, rolling her eyes at me. “So this is where you sit, conveniently next to the stairwell for an easy getaway, I see.”

I snorted, shaking my head. “So what’s up?” Basically I was asking what she was doing here.

“I heard what happened with you and my brother. Still think he’s an awesome guy?” she asked and I bit my lip.

“He still has potential, just not as much as I assumed he did before,” I told her.

“You witnessed firsthand how much of a jerk he can be," she snorted and I nodded, moving my spaghetti around on my plate. I actually can't complain about our school’s food. In fact, I'd be eating this spaghetti if I wasn't scared out of my wits at what her brother could do.

“If it makes you feel any better, he’s not going to do anything,” she whispered and I raised both of my eyebrows, as if asking her to repeat herself. She just laughed in response. “He won't, like, hit you or anything. For one, he doesn't hit girls, and two, I won't let him hit my friends.”

I nodded, silently grinning at the fact that she said that we are friends. Maybe I'm getting too excited but I haven't had friends since freshman year, unless online friends count but I'm still on the edge about whether or not they're forty year old men. “Okay.”

She smiled at me before motioning towards the stairwell. “Now, I have to go- a cuties waiting in there for me.”

She winked before standing up and walking over to the stairwell, disappearing out of my view. Okay, maybe that wasn't the type of friend I was expecting to have but I guess it’s better than nothing. I sighed and took a bite of my apple before throwing my food away and taking out my book. I started to read before sighing and putting it down. I couldn't read when my mind was racing as quickly as it was. Plus, I accidentally left my glasses in the car and there’s no way I'm going out there just to get them. I'd have to sign out and sign back in.

I looked around before catching the gaze of Noah Rivers himself. It wasn't as much as a gaze but a hateful glare and it was enough to make me uncomfortable. I got up and walked in the direction of the stairwell before remembering what was going on in there between Marissa and whoever she’s with. I decided to use the other stairwell and that included walking by him.

Gaining up whatever courage I had, I began walking in his general direction. His glare didn’t lighten and he didn’t bother to look away. In fact, his glare deepened as I walked quicker. I glanced at him to make sure he wasn't making any sudden movements. As I was looking at him, I realized that he has blue eyes. Realizing that we were staring each other down, I decided to be the bigger person and look away. I turned my attention back to the area where I was supposed to be going, I bumped into a trash can, losing my balance and stumbling slightly. When I regained the small amount of balance I own, I stood up straighter and sent one last glare in Noah’s direction. He was just smirking down at the book in his lap. Although I was growing a sense of hatred towards the guy, I couldn't help but find it attractive how he actually reads books.

<<>><<>> 

Marissa invited me to go over her house. She told me that there was a party tonight and that I could spend the night over there at her place. I was excited and scared at the same time. After having a stare down with her brother, I don't feel very welcome in their house. And plus, I have to ask my mother if I can go- hopefully she'll be home and not at another writing convention. Last time she went to one, she didn’t come home for a week and I had no clue she was there until midnight when she decided to ring me and explain how she forgot to tell me about it. I was up, freaking out, unsure of whether or not I should call the police. She even tried to tell me that there was a note on the fridge. Long story short, there was no note.

I sighed as I entered my house, the familiar living room entering my sights. The comfy red couches and white curtains coming into view, along with the tan hardwood and flat screen television. Other than that, there were white glass tables here and there, decorated with picture frames of my father, my mother, and I and the occasional fake plant.

Walking upstairs to my mother’s study, I peeked inside and saw that she was on her computer. I walked towards my room and began packing an overnight bag filled with all of the things I'd need. I made sure to snag my toothbrush before walking back to my mother’s study.

“I’m going over Marissa’s house, okay?” I told my mother as I stood in the doorway, my overnight bag hanging off of my shoulder.

"Marissa?" she asked me.

"Yeah, a new friend of mine. She invited me over her house," I responded.

She glanced up from her computer and nodded before fixing her glasses. Do you see where I got my bad vision? “Be safe on the roads.”

“I know mom, I love you. I'll see you tomorrow,” I told her and she replied with a similar response before I exited the house. Walking over to my car, I sighed as I sat in the front seat. Let’s just hope Marissa keeps her word about giving me a makeover and she isn’t just using me.

Typing her address into my GPS, I began driving towards the richer part of town. It was no surprise when I turned onto a street decorated with large houses that were at least three times the size of mine, and my house was a considerable size. Squinting to see the numbers on the mailbox, I frowned before halting the car and reaching for my reading glasses which were in the glove box. Remind me to put these in my bag before school on Monday.

I heard an obnoxious beeping sound behind me and, sliding my glasses further up onto my nose, I looked into the mirror to see a glossy red car waiting for me to drive. I lightly tapped the gas, allowing the car to move at a slow pace. I needed to see the numbers; the person behind me could wait- it wasn't like they couldn't afford the gas. Once I reached the house with the numbers that Marissa had scribbled onto the paper, I parked in the front, avoiding the driveway.

I watched as the person who was once behind me swerved into the driveway and parked, quickly getting out of the car and slamming the door shut after locking it. I struggled to see in the dark but I realized that it was a tall figure. I hoped it wasn't Noah and Marissa’s father. Or even the devil himself- Noah! I would have left a rude impression on their father, though. As I got out of the car and nervously walked towards the house, the door swung open and three petite figures were standing in the doorway.

“Is that you, Kennedy?” Marissa asked out into the yard as I stood on the pathway.

“Yeah, it’s me,” I called back as I trudged up the stairs.

Marissa sighed. “Hurry up and get inside, we have food in the oven!” she instructed me. I walked up the steps to the house and sighed once the door closed after me. “Why didn’t you just come in with Noah?”

I wrinkled my nose while she giggled. “You’re the one that said you wouldn't mind communicating with him.”

“In theoretical terms,” I replied as I stood in front of the three girls, one of which was blonde, Chloe, and one of them had thick black hair, Dana. I recognized them from some of my classes. The other girl, being Marissa, had long brown hair. Dana offered me a smile while Chloe was full on grinning. If I'm being honest, it scared me slightly. “Where do I put this?”

“Can you show her to my room, Dana?” The girl with the thick black hair and dark skin nodded and motioned for me to follow her. I also noticed that all of the girls were taller than me.

“Can I call you Kenna?” she asked me and I shrugged.

“Sure.” I avoided telling her that my mother calls me Kenna; it'd sound like I was completely antisocial and my mother was my only friend.

“Well, Kenna, you can put your stuff in this guest room," she informed me as she pushed open the door to the room. I nodded; placing my bag down and she walked to the room across from it and grabbed a sticky note. She scribbled Kenna onto it and placed it onto the door. After she branded the door as my own, she smiled at me. “I don't understand why you want a makeover, you’re pretty already.”

“Thanks… but I just want a new start,” I told her and she smiled.

“I understand.” Leading me back downstairs, we saw the other girls taking food out of the oven.

I noticed that they were brownies and when the doorbell rang, Chloe quickly hopped up and ran to the door with the money in her hand. She walked back with three boxes of pizza and I furrowed my eyebrows. I didn’t target them as girls who ate pizza carelessly. I pegged them at girls who complained about their weight when they were extremely skinny. I guess I was wrong for judging them.

“Do you mind going to get Noah?” Marissa asked me. I began to stutter and she laughed. “Come on, you can apologize now.”

I sighed. What’s the worst that could happen? Other than the fact that he could toss me down a flight of stairs because I hit him in the face with a volleyball. I sighed as I stood up, maybe I can apologize now. “Where is his room?”

“It’s at the end of the hall, to the left," she replied and I nodded.

“You’re going to get me killed,” I muttered and she smiled.

“I wouldn't tell you to do it if it weren't safe.” I rolled my eyes.

“Doubt it.” I walked towards the staircase and began walking up the steps, counting them as I went. There were twenty eight in all. Their house had very high ceilings. I walked towards the end of the hallway and turned to the door on the left, raising my fist to knock.

I slowly dropped my fist when I heard an acoustic guitar. I listened intently and heard an unfamiliar song playing. I was standing there for about three minutes before the guitar playing stopped. I sighed and knocked on the door. I heard footsteps and Noah opened the door, coming face to face with me. Or face to chest, in actuality. He was a lot taller than me, just like everyone else in this house.

“Dinner,” I managed to mutter as I took a step back. There goes saying sorry. His intimidating eyes were narrowed into slits as he glared at me before he pushed past me and walked towards the staircase, jogging down them. He definitely recognized me, that’s for sure. I muttered some unkind words as I followed behind him, praying that he hadn't heard me. I wasn't that far behind him but I managed to keep a distance of at least 5 stairs just to be safe.

“Hey, Marissa?” Noah’s deep voice called to his sister and she turned away, a piece of pizza hanging out of her mouth. “Next time, can you not send someone creepy up to my room to fetch me for dinner?”

He had attitude problems. That was something that was clear. I couldn't help but feel happy that I managed to sock him in the face with a volleyball. Turning his back as he opened the fridge, I mocked him, making faces behind his back. This caused Chloe to laugh loudly and he whipped around, his eyes narrowed into slits again as he glared at me. Although I’m known to find the good in people, I struggle to find good traits within him, which angers me.

My face went from mocking to straight as he tilted his head sideways, a look of curiosity and anger pasted onto his attractive face. A moment later, he turned around again. I’m sure my eyes were wide as I took a seat at the table. He just stared me down again.

Once he exited the kitchen, I let out a sigh of relief and the other girls laughed. “You should have seen your face.”

I groaned. “That was pleasant.”

<<>><<>> 

“Come on, we’re going now,” Marissa told me and I nodded, standing up from the chair I’d been sitting in for what felt like eternity.

I still didn’t have a chance to look at myself in the mirror and when I did, I was shocked. My dull gray eyes looked lighter thanks to mascara and eye shadow. My full lips weren't chapped anymore; instead, they were covered with a light lip-gloss. My acne scars were covered with cover up and my face looked clear. It didn’t look as bad as it usually did. My normally brown pin straight hair was curled prettily.

“You like?” Dana giggled as I looked towards my tight skinny jeans. I usually wore looser pants, occasionally (okay, more than occasionally) sweatpants.

I smiled. “Yeah, I guess.”

The tank top was perfect for our all year round warm weather. I didn’t own many tank tops, band tees- sure, but not tank tops. The only ones I had were used as undershirts. “You look very pretty.”

I smiled at Chloe, thanking her. She was the one who chose the outfit, claiming that the mint green of the tank top brings out my eyes. I just laughed in response while the other girls agreed. We got several complaints from Noah about our volume. I told the girls to wait a few minutes while I go to the bathroom and while I was on my way back to the room, I ran into him- literally. He didn’t even acknowledge my presence or the hard hit I took when I smashed into his chest. He was walking fast and had determined strides while I was carelessly throwing my lower limbs around in order to get back to the room. At some point, I was actually dancing back to the room. Instead of apologizing, he continued walking past me and slammed his fist onto his sister’s door- snapping that they need to shut up.

He even disregarded me on his walk back to his room, where he slammed the door loudly. I raised and dropped my eyebrows, unimpressed with his attitude. How can someone be so miserable? Walking back towards the room where the girls were waiting with their bags in their hands, I grabbed my own and shook my head from the bitter encounter.

On our walk towards the back door, which let out near the garage, we passed through the large living room- where Noah was sitting, watching a UFC fight. I watched him for a while as the girls stood around, grabbing their jackets and slipping their arms into them. I bought myself some time to stare at him when I made the decision earlier to bring my jacket upstairs.

His hair was dark brown; it was messy and was tossed around his head carelessly. His eyes were a clear blue and they were cold, like ice. I wonder what happened to make him so… mean. Whatever it was, I wasn't sure if I wanted to know. His legs were outstretched in front of him while his hands supported his face as he leaned over slightly. His eyelashes were long and they created shadows across his face. His lips were full and a light pink color, pouting slightly as he stared at the screen. His nose was straight and his skin was pale, like porcelain. I’m guessing someone didn’t get out much.

“Kenna!” I whipped around to see Marissa staring at me, her eyebrows raised as a smirk decorated her face. “Although staring at my brother may seem fun, I think a party sounds better, don’t you?”

Honestly, no. I’d rather stare at your mysterious brother who just so happens to be gorgeous rather than be surrounded by drunken idiots. I began to stutter before I gave up speaking and followed the laughing girls out of the house but not before giving one last glance towards Noah, who was glaring daggers at me. I hastily turned around and closed the door behind me. I’m guessing he isn't such a big fan of me.

<<>><<>> 

“Don’t get drunk, Kenna, we’re counting on you to bring us home. Just in case anything happens, call my brother.” She quickly texted me Noah’s number and my eyes scanned my phone’s screen. I have Noah Rivers’ phone number.

“Have fun, but not too much fun,” Chloe replied, giggling slightly. The other girls laughed before splitting up, walking in separate directions, leaving me to stand alone in the center of the living room, between a bunch of drunken people.

I groaned. Remind me why I even agreed to this.