The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid
-Jane Austen

I never wanted to hurt anyone.

Under any circumstance, did I want to be the cause of pain for another. That was never my intention.

But it seems as if I hurt everyone surrounding me.

I don't know how. I was like a black hole that sucked in everyone around me into a dark abyss. No matter how many times I try to convince myself otherwise, I knew I was infectious.

Not like the good kind. The type where a girl smiles and everyone magically becomes happier.

I used to be that infection. Friends with everybody. The light in the room.

But like every other beautiful flower, they die. The process may start slowly, but it is still deadly. There is no stopping it when it comes. The owners of the plant just have to sit and watch it wilt.

The assumption that this process is only physical and occurs only in flowers is fallacious. I have proof. Me.

It happened to me. My whole being crumbled from the outside. So much like a delicate flower. So weak.

Ringgggggggg

The sound of my alarm goes off. I don't even know why I have it. It's not like I go to sleep.

I eagerly get out of bed. Other teenagers my age would be reluctant to go to school. Not me. It's like a break from reality.

Especially photography class. If I ever wanted to pursue a career, it would be in photography. I love catching the perfect moments in time. When I hold my camera, it feels like the world around me disappears. Everything slows.

All that is in the moment is me, my camera, and the perfect shot.

"Avy, come on. If you're not down here in 20 minutes, I'll be leaving without you," calls out my twin brother, Adonis.

Just because he is 15 minutes older than me, he thinks he can boss me around. Either way, he will leave me. He has done it before. I came downstairs a minute late, and he was already down the street. I had to walk to the bus stop. As soon as I got there, the bus took off. Let's just say I didn't make it to school that day.

"Im coming," I yell back.

I hurriedly go to my closet to grab some clothes. I took a shower sometime earlier this morning.

I decide to put on a plaid skirt, a lace tank top, and a sweater on top.

Avyanna's outfit

After getting dressed, I head to the restroom to do my hair and makeup. My hair sits on top of my head in a high ponytail with some pieces picked out. For some reason, the messy look is one of my favorites. So messy but so perfect.

I put on some mascara and lip liner before grabbing my shoes. Just the right lip liner can save any outfit. Every color is nice, but I like to stick to nudes. They go nicely with anything.

Looking at the clock, I realize I have 8 minutes left. Swiftly grabbing my backpack, I head downstairs. I decided to skip breakfast. Usually I grab an apple, but I don't want to be any more late.

I walk outside to see Adonis leaning on his car, checking his watch. The wind kisses my face as I walk toward him. "It took you long enough," he says. All I do is roll my eyes.

Our relationship is okay, I guess. We aren't like other twins, who are always together and spend every waking moment talking to each other. Adonis and I don't keep secrets from each other, but we just don't feel the need to tell each other everything else. Of course, we are always there for each other. We just aren't as close as others.

"I won't be able to pick you up today." I just nod. It looks like I'm taking the bus today.

Even though I can, I haven't gotten my drivers license. I am too afraid to get behind the wheel. Too afraid to crash into something or run over it.

So, Adonis is my personal chauffeur unless he has footbal practice. Then I was all on my own.

Some would think this is awkward. The fact that nobody is talking. But this is a different type of silence. A comfortable one. One that doesn't need to be filled with conversations. It's as if everything has already been said. That's just the way we work.

~

We arrive at the school after a long drive. Conveniently, we do not live anywhere close to the school. I open and step out of the car. The leaves from the fall submerge my feet on the sidewalk.

In my town, whenever we have a season, it hits hard. Summer is full of heat waves, and winter is full of snow.

My school is relatively small compared to other high schools. Everyone knows everyone. Im still trying to figure out if thats a good thing or a bad thing.

I am making my way towards the front doors when I catch unfamiliar eyes. Odd. Is there a new student?

For some reason, I can't break out of their gazes. It's as if their eyes have some hold on me, keeping me still. From here, I can tell that his eyes are brown. A nice brown. Like chestnuts or the brown leaves on the floor.

My brothers voice snaps me out of my trance. "Hey, you okay?" I look down. "Yeah," I mutter back. "I will see you at home," I manage to say in a strong voice despite my jumbled mind.

Who was that?

My brother salutes me and walks off.

I need to get my mind off that boy. I can't have any distractions this year. Senior year needs to be perfect.

I turned to go inside the school but hit a hard chest. I almost fall in the pile of leaves, but strong arms grip my waist.

My stomach burns up at the touch. I can feel the body heat of the person holding me. It's like a thick blanket engulfed my body. It feels amazing in this blowing breeze. I suddenly want them to hold me forever.

When I look up, I see the same unfamiliar brown eyes. Looking more closely, I can see gold flecks in his eyes. You wouldn't be able to spot them if you didn't look close enough. Im sure they glow in the sun. His eyelashes are not too long but not too short. Long enough to graze his cheeks and leave a shadow. His eyes are absolutely breathtaking.

Some may say that the eyes are the key to a soul. Not his. Emotionless is one of the many words that could be used to describe his eyes. I wonder why that is?

"Hi," croak out. "Your eyes are beautiful." My jaw drops open. I probably look like a fish out of water. I blush from embarrassment. I can't believe I just said that. Bury me. He hasn't even said anything, and I'm already flustered. His eye squints in... amusement? It came as quickly as it went. You had to be paying attention to fully notice.

"Hi," he replies in a smooth voice. His voice is soft and low. Like honey. I was never a fan of honey before, but his voice convinces me that honey is the best thing in the world. I will have to try to buy some later today.

"Im Avyanna." My voice is near a whisper at this point. It feels like every basic function is forgotten. I have lost my voice. I was utterly speechless, and all he said was hi. Im a mess. A hopeless mess.

I look down too embarrassed to face him. I instantly look up when he says, "Grey."

Grey. Grey. Grey.

It fits him perfectly.

I smile at him. So amazed by his eyes, I didn't even really look at him. He is really tall. Like super tall. Maybe 6' 5". Im 5'0". He towers over me.

He has a sharp jawline. If I were to run my finger across it, I would get a cut. Messy brown hair sits on top of his head. I want to run my fingers through it. His eyes and hair correspond with one another.

His lips are a dark pink. I wonder what it would be like to kiss them.

No,no,no. Don't think about that.

He is wearing blue oversized jeans and a graphic tee.

Oh no. I've been staring at him for the past couple minutes like a stalker. He probably thinks I'm weird now. I inwardly cringe.

I try to get out of his grasps, but he only tightens his hold. I look at his face, and his lips tilt downward. It looks like he is frowning.

Did I do something to anger him?

"Bye, Bella," and he is gone. So fast as if he was never here in the first place.

Did he forget my name already? What does Bella mean?

Without him near me, everything seems much colder. When he was near, he invaded my senses. It was all him. There was nowhere to move or nothing else to think about but him.

I shake my head trying to get rid of the thoughts

I should get ready for school.

~

"WHAT?" screeches Clara. I wince back and cover my ears. She is jumping up and down and squealing.

Why is she so happy?

We are sitting outside on a bench eating lunch. It's not too cold nor too hot. The perfect weather. All I'd done was tell her about the interaction between me and Grey. It really was nothing.

"I am so shipping you guys," she squeals.

I shake my head. "You haven't even met him."

"So? That was y'all meet cute."

Meetcute?

"That is so cute." What is a meetcute? "I wish me and my future lover will meet on an autumn morning and gaze into each other's eyes." She sighs dreamily.

" What is a meetcute," I ask.

"A meetcute is the first meeting between two people. It usually happens in a funny, unusual, or cute way. The two people later become a romantic couple."

I laugh. I laugh, and I laugh. I laugh so hard that tears fall out of my eyes. I bend over, clutching my stomach.

Clara looks at me confused. "We just met. We don't even know each other. I can't believe you actually believe that." I wipe the tears from my eyes, trying to pull myself together.

When I finally gain my composure, I look at Clara. She's looking at something behind me with her eyes wide and her jaw hanging.

I quickly turn around—Oh my God.

"Hey Bella"

AN: hiiiii I hope you are enjoying this book.

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