"Hurry up! You'll miss your bus! It's your first day!" Mom called excitedly, waiting at the front door.

"Coming mom!" I called, still grimacing from the reminder. I went down the stairs, rushing towards the door. Unfortunately, she was there, beaming at me with enthusiasm. She was acting as if I was a kindergartener going for the first day of school. I immediately put on a poker face, managing an answering grin just as thrilled.

"Aw! Don't you just look like a doll! Good luck dear! Enjoy and make new friends!" Mom's voice fluttered in my ear. I sighed. My mom was always a happy bunny.

"Yeah mom, I will. Thanks," I mumbled, walking out.

We had just moved to Juneau over the summer; a small, remote town with lots of forests and mountain ranges for avid hikers. Plentiful wildlife. Exactly the kind of place where I would've come to spend my vacations --not eternity.

I had no aversion to the place; it was lush and beautiful, with an average of three hundred and twenty-one cloudy days. Which was good. I hated getting sweaty but I still loved Los Angeles; warm and sunny yet not sweaty or suffocating. The real problem was that I was a city girl. I loved city lights and I loved socializing. Though, I still did yearn for some time alone once in a while. That as hell didn't mean that I wanted a silent hill all to myself.

Juneau was annoyingly silent like a necropolis and people were as quiet as 'the living-dead'. There was no traffic jams --not that I liked traffic, but basically no trace of people.

And the reasons I ended up here. Here's the lamest one --after high school, I could apply for the University of South-east Alaska. As if, I already didn't want to run away. My mom had painted a pretty good picture of the place, making me agree into shifting Alaska --that would be the second one.

The third and final one was that my mom's family resided here. Gran April and her extremely irritating grand children, my uncle Stewart's --my mom's elder brother and my favorite uncle, and Aunt Maria's kids.

Their son Zack, who was two years older than me, had a massive crush on me and I hated it when gran forced us together. Mom had even told me that gran was looking forward to my future with him! I mean, had the world grown short of boys that I'd end up single? Gladly, dad was at my side. Mom had once hinted him and he had said it then and there, "My daughter will marry the one she likes. We will not enforce Zack on her. I trust my daughter's choice." Besides, dad and I both didn't prefer Zack.

Rita's only a month older than I am, and she was very immature. A complete gossip queen and what with the dramas she had! Well, I'd mostly mind my business but she loved poking her nose in others privacy --especially mine.

So I always put on pretends to put off their visits or visit their place. And naturally, dad helped me with that so mom had no choice but to leave me home with our previous neighbour; old Mrs. Greene, who loved me like her own granddaughter and I loved her too.

Now that my dad, Robert Ashton --a busy executive, was currently in London in hopes of expanding his business, I had no reason to put off the visit planned the next week. I had no choice but to see my cousins' stupid faces.

Then again, it had been two years since I'd last met or talked to any of them. I could bear them for a couple of hours for gran and Stew -uncle Stewart's insisted nick for himself so everyone had to call him that.

Maybe they'd changed... Or maybe not...

I muttered unintelligibly as I began to get inside the bus. Hoping for the best wasn't exactly me.

I searched for an empty seat. I saw one vacant so I went to sit there. I stopped right in front of it, when a skinny arm reached out and took hold of the entire seat. Following the hand, I saw a pathetic excuse for being a fashion statement.

The girl had short mahogany colored tangled curls, tied into a messy ponytail, she wore a white draped shirt that was so scruffy, it looked like it hadn't gotten a single spin in the washer for years, with a pair of sloppy old jeans, much too big to fit on such a skinny girl.

She eyed me from over her spectacles, her light brown eyes full of attitude.

Seeing a girl that horribly dressed had made me observe myself in comparison. I wore a hot pink shirt under a black long sleeved hood that had a black butterfly knot woven on its collar. I'd put on a pair of black skinny jeans with black sneakers.

I raised my eyebrows at her attitude.

"You can't sit here, this is my friend's seat," she croaked.

Then she gave a royal jerk to her head, making her ponytail bounce on to her shoulder. I would have sat somewhere else, but her words made it a fight. She, trying to tell me, what to do?! That made me angry more than the jerk of her head.

"Excuse me! You don't own the seat, and frankly speaking, I don't see your friend hangin'. If she's that much of an alibi, then there are two seats empty in the back row, you can sit there and gossip as much as you want about me. Now, shove over." I said with pure mockery and just a smile to match with.

She got up, all attitude gone, and sat on the opposite seat, only not in front of me but to my right. I took my seat dejectedly, though I kept up the gleeful pretense just to spite her. And it worked like a charm.

The glare on her face made me sigh internally. A fight on first day of new high school, what a good way to start a day. Note the sarcasm.

I pulled my hood down revealing my hair. I'd just made a half bump, nothing fancy and since I had a serious headache, I'd let my hair loose. I noticed the girl eye me.

I met her gaze so she complimented me "You have really beautiful hair. Can you please tell me how you grew them so long?" I looked at her strangely. We'd just had a fight...

She waited. I gave up and smiled, "Thanks, but sorry. I can't help you with the beauty tips. They grew on their own."

"Oh...Okay. Hi I'm Alana."

"Hi, I'm Ember." I managed. She smiled and looked away. That left a certain awkwardness instilled in the air.

I observed my hair discreetly, thinking how letting them open wasn't such a good idea. I sighed and looked around. Mostly, I could just hear snores and slow murmurs otherwise, all was quiet.

I nestled into my seat, staring outside. We were passing a highway so I could see the lush green forests. It was beautiful, the trees swinging in harmony with the wind. The summits, covered with ice, shining like the fire of hope in the light sun rays. The sky, a majestic silver with some glimpses of honey-gold on the fluffy, cotton clouds. I wondered at how gloriously the animals lived in this wonderful world of theirs.

I divided my hair in two and pulled them front. That's when I caught a few guys gawking at me. I began feeling uncomfortable, so I pulled my hood up and put on my ear jacks, turning on the iPod. I'd never liked it when boys looked my way.

Many girls would get flattered, but it wasn't my thing at all. The reason was always the fact that none of them looked at me the way my dad looked at my mom --like she just descended from heaven.

I couldn't help but suppress a smile. They were still as love-struck as they had been when they first got together in high school. Anyone could see that, it was that obvious. Abruptly, loneliness filled me whole. I grew depressed as I realised I didn't ever get something as glorious as what my parents had, nor did it seem like it was coming my way any sooner. I lightly shook my head, ridding myself of all glum thoughts.

We continued through the forest and soon began to enter downtown. It was quite a beautiful place to be at. The buildings gave off a homey vibe, with all the different colors and cozy architecture.

While marvelling the almost empty streets and sidewalks, I realized it was quite lonely and felt saddened to have left my old life behind. But even through the sadness, I could distinctly feel that I would grow to love this place even more than California someday. I don't know why I thought that, but I felt it deep within me. It was just something about this place, maybe the sheer beauty and peace of it.

I was knocked out of my thoughts when I felt a certain commotion rise. Then the bus came to a stop near the curb of what looked like a supermarket. I could see a few people in there, but there wasn't any special crowd. Even the place was too small to call it a supermarket and have an average crowd of what I saw in random small cafes back in L.A. I frowned and tried to look for what possibly could have stopped the bus.

Surely we hadn't reached the school yet?

I paused the song and asked Alana, ''Hey what's with everyone? Why did we stop?'' She herself looked like she'd explode any second.

 "Oh my God! Didn't you hear?! Alex Nathan is coming today! In our bus! Oh God! I'm going to die!"

"Alex who?" I asked, confused.

"Alex Nathan!" She shrieked, almost coming into my face. I cringed slightly away from the over-excited girl and tried my best to be discreet about it.

"O-kay..." I trailed off, not knowing what to say. "Um, thanks,"I managed with an uncomfortable smile as I tried to look anywhere but her. She turned in her seat and got up on her knees, trying to peak at the guy that could be nothing short of a hunk if the entire bus' girls' and boys' reactions were anything to take into account.

Who was this dude who'd gotten the entire bus worked up? He sure wasn't a celebrity that I would've heard of and Alana hadn't given much detail... Though I did feel one thing. If he was adored so much, he must be something.

Suddenly, the doors opened, letting the cold and chills yonder. I rubbed my arms in distress. Anxious to see who it was who had to come, as I awaited for the doors to close in, I craned my neck up the front seat. Someone climbed up and came in like a beautiful dream. A person stood in front, searching for a vacant seat.

For a few seconds, I was lost. Never had I seen someone like him and never had I felt the way I was feeling.

The guy was painfully handsome. He was slender, yet tall and built, seemingly enough to make Adonis cry. I examined his cream white features closely; the hard square of his jaw, the perfect curve of his full lips --now turned up into a smile, the straight line of his nose, the sharp angle of his cheekbones, the smooth marble like span of his forehead followed up by lush black hair gelled in spikes...

While I was marveling him, I met his eyes. I blinked unintentionally. Those sapphire blue eyes, spreading like the bluest ocean, which glittered under the sunlight dancing on the surface of the water, followed by the cream white façade of sand. It was like seeing a mirror of my soul, the mirror crystal clear reminiscent of a beautifully carved diamond, shining vividly, like cut into a million facets. Each glimmer was entirely different, making me sense akin to an utterly different person. There was brilliancy; appreciation, beauty and so much more...

I was sinking in when I noticed the reason of his smile. He, too, was watching me. My heart began to flutter like the wings of a humming bird, my face beginning to warm up. Embarrassed, I dropped my gaze on my hands, beginning to observe my hot pink nails shine in contrast with the black cover of my iPod. I took a surreptitious glance all over the place, the girls were sighing and giggling as everyone was busy pushing extra people out of their seats just so he could sit with them.

Though I had turned away, I could still feel his eyes on me. For that very moment that our eyes had met, there was some feeling, some sensation I couldn't put my finger on, that I wanted to relive for the rest of my life. 

An impulsive worry drew in. What if my face had given away what my heart had desired that very second? His expression was profoundly amused when he had caught me look at him so attentively. My tummy began to jiggle. I didn't know whether I should blush out of shyness or embarrassment. Well I certainly didn't need any answers because I could already feel more blood rush up my cheeks, warming them up further.

I wasn't able to raise the nerve to look back up.

But how could I look away from such a mesmerizing face? At least I didn't want to. So I permitted myself one gaze at him. Now he was coming towards me, still smiling, still looking at me.

He took his seat right opposite to mine, just a couple of feet away. I eyed Alana. What red she had on her cheeks! However, unlike me, she was gaping at him.

"Hey! Never seen you before," he said, his voice, a low velvet murmur, so sweet, that I gazed up at him instantly with surprise. He smiled, taking my breath away. I couldn't find my voice. I turned off my iPod and took out my ear jacks to buy me some time for composure.

"Hi. I'm Ember and you, are? ..."

He grinned, pleased at getting an answer. "Pardon, I should have introduced myself first. I'm Alex. Nice to meet you, Ember." He replied, as he quirked his lips to the right.

I think I just died a little there. Maybe Alana wasn't kidding when she said they were going to die. I could see the reason.

I managed a slight smile, electricity gyrate inside of me. I pulled my hood down since it felt awkward, as if I was hiding my face from him. I saw everyone was awake now.

Of course, who wouldn't like to eavesdrop on us? We could be an awesome topic for gossip. I ignored them. Who cares what they would think and say?

He started, "I must say, you are quite beautiful."

"Thank you." I answered, flashing a beam automatically.

"So, where are you from?" he asked with a faint smile.

"California." I answered like an eager child who knew the answer to an important question asked by the teacher.

"Ah, I've been there. Los Angeles?" he wondered, his voice still velvet, soothing my ears.

"Yeah." I breathed. This guy didn't even know what he was doing to every living soul within a five mile radius by just existing.

"Hmm. I guess it must be hard for a city girl to get used to the silence." He suggested. If I thought he was a hunk before, now I knew he was a clairsentient hunk.

"You have no idea," I said and we chuckled at the same time.

I continued, "I really miss L.A."

"Yeah. All your friends left back so far." He agreed in a thoughtful tone with humor lacing beneath.

"And I know I would be in no shape of going back. It will feel awfully noisy now," He chuckled at my resolve again and grinned, making me flush.

By now, I was deeply conscious of everyone eyeing us, listening to our conversation. Alana was glaring at me, so I guessed the truce was over. The fight was back on.

Great! I earned a bus full of enemies who will take me as their rival. Just what I needed, a crowd of wild 'Alex Nathan Fans' ready to suck my blood out.

I glanced at Alana and the phrase if looks could kill... ran through my mind.

Thankfully, before I could further think about the nosy bystanders, the bus stopped and the doors opened, making tremors go down my spine. I shivered, wanting to throw a curse or two for not wearing a sweater or something. Then again, who knew August could be so cold?

 Alex asked, "Are you cold?"

I pursed my lips and murmured, "Yes."

He offered his jacket. I couldn't help but feel warm inside at the gesture, even if I was shivering on the outside.

"No thanks. I just need to get inside and I'll be alright," I refused the offer politely. I didn't think wearing his jacket on my first day was a good idea if I wanted to be recognised as a person, rather than a skank.

He raised his eyebrows and asked, "Sure about it?" 

I nodded. God! He looked so cute like that.

"Let's go then," he ended with a crooked smile, making it hard to breathe.

We stood up and got out of the cramped bus --since everyone was rushing to get out with us. For a minute, I felt as if everyone was following behind us but to my relief, they all dispersed. Maybe I was being too paranoid. Maybe not.

My school was beautiful. I just gaped at it like I were stepping in heaven.

Maybe school won't be that bad after all.

"Thunder Mountain High school", I read under my breath. I could see the flags swirling in the wind on white poles with blue and gold logo of the school. The buildings were enormous, mostly glass with tall windows and doors. I walked quickly towards the entrance through the parking lot and the grass plains with intricately cut pavements separating them, Alex keeping pace with ease. I pushed the glass door open, and sighed in relief. I looked at Alex, who was smiling at me. I blushed once more.

"Wow, that was quick," he commented and I giggled slightly, thanking the angels above for it not coming out as a flirty one. I would've died of embarrassment.

We began to walk at a normal pace then while I started observing the interior. The building was far more gigantic than the outside. There were stairs heading up the second floor, benches after every few meters and ceilings as high as a tower's.

"This place is awesome," I said in awe. I glanced at Alex, who seemed amused by what he saw. Yeah, I was being a dope.

"Can you show me the way to the clerk's office?" I asked.

"Sure thing. Come on," he said with a humored smile hinting his luscious lips.

I caught almost everyone staring at us for some reason. It was irritating. Like we were the luckiest survivors of a plane crash. I became too busy feeling anxious to notice our surroundings change, so Alex's voice almost slipped past, except since it was the richest sound I'd heard, I caught onto it like moths to flame. Though I doubted he was harmful. He could be if he wanted to, I knew that with that physique of his, but I could tell he was a decent guy.

"We've reached the office," Alex's silk voice broke through.

"Huh? Oh so sorry, let's go in." I answered softly and saw his lips twitch, fighting a smile.

The office --despite being spacious, was a little congested because of all the shelves crammed up with fat files, but neat and tidy. Both clerks were busy with some work on their computers.

"Yes please?" asked the bald one, who sat uncomfortably on the small seat.

"I need my things..." I trailed off as soon as he cut in.

"Oh sure, new comer right?" he asked seriously.

I nodded.

"Your name?" he asked in a business-like tone.

"Ember Luna Ashton." I told him, and he turned his eyes on the monitor.

I looked at Alex, who was already looking at me. I barely stopped myself from blushing and embarrassing myself. He flashed a smile, astounding me yet again. I smiled lightly and turned my gaze back to the bald clerk in hopes to calm the erratic beating of my heart and the hotness that threatened to spread all over my body.

"Here," he handed me a couple of papers with my ID-card, "Your class schedule, ID-card, locker assignment and the slips that you would have to get signed by each teacher and submit it back to me at the end of the day." he instructed.

"Thank you." I said with a polite smile.

He beamed back and said, "My pleasure. Good luck." I nodded and we came out. That's when the words of the clerk set in.

Uh, fabulous! Now I'll have to do with the introduction in every class.

"What's wrong?" Alex asked with a slightly confused tone. I kept my gaze ahead for a bit before turning to see the perplexed frown upon his gorgeous face.

"I don't prefer spotlight." I shrugged indifferently.

He smiled, understanding my answer. "It won't be that bad."

"You're used to the whole gawking and staring, I'm not and I don't plan to be the center of that kind of attention,"

He laughed. "So you saw that, huh?"

"Of course I did, you made the whole bus go nuts after you. Didn't you notice that girl beside you?" I asked in disbelief.

"Who, Alana?" He asked in turn.

"Yeah, and she was glaring at me because of you, and so were the other girls. You're gonna get me assaulted on my first day." I joked and he laughed, making me join in.

"I promise that no fans of mine will hurt you as long as I'm around," he assured me with a grin.

I rolled my eyes in sarcasm. "Yeah, right. My savior."

He grinned and I flushed once again. We had reached my locker. He leaned against the neighbouring locker, facing me. There, he began observing me closely, making me self-conscious.

I opened my locker and I would've thrown my bag in with irritation but now that I had Alex -his name sent an electric wave up and down my spine- I couldn't focus on mopping around anymore. It seemed like a very inconsequential matter now. I shook my head, putting my bag in --gently, and took out my books.

I opened my pouch and stuffed the ID card in it saying, "Don't you have to go to your locker and fill it up?" 

"I got a little favor from the principal. I filled mine yesterday," he said with a playful smile. I was not at all succeeding in gaining control of my heartbeat.

I closed my locker and said, "So, first class is of... Chemistry in room number... Nine."

He grinned, saying, "We're in the same class."

I shied away from his eyes and answered, "Great, at least I'll know someone in class." He chuckled, making my lips curve. We hurried to class and I saw our Chemistry teacher Mr. Parker give an elderly smile to me.

"Good luck."He whispered in my ear.

"No use but thanks." He laughed quietly and went to sit with some guys. His friends, I guessed.

I took a deep breath and went to Mr. Parker. I gave him the slip and he signed it asking for an introduction as I'd presumed. He had made his name go to the 'Teachers' that I hated' list. I went in front of everyone with a mild smile. Everyone's eyes were fixed on me.

Somehow I managed to scramble out enough words to give myself a head start. "You may take your seat now, Ember. Thank you." I wasn't in the least disappointed when he cut me off like that. I nodded happily, escaping to my seat. I walked swiftly past the front ones --avoiding extra curious eyes.

"Can I sit here?" I asked the pretty blond. She was oddly red with light brown eyes and short blond hair with brown streaks, tied up into a ponytail. And just wearing a grey sweater on dark blue jeans made her look like a runway model.

I eyed the boy on the back seat, looking 'interested'. "Sure." She complied politely, flashing me a blinding smile. I smiled and sat, heaving out a sigh of a relief. Mr. Parker had begun the class.

"Hi I'm Carmen but you can call me Cree." She murmured.

"Hey nice to meet you." I replied softly.

"You too." She whispered. I gave a small beam. My eyes immediately flickered onto the rest of the class right after, searching through the ocean of anxious stares. I found him. He was already looking at me and gave me a soft smile when I met his gaze. I smiled back.

"You okay?" Cree asked.

"Yeah, why?" I asked with a sudden anxiety heaving inside my chest, suffocating me.

"You're breathing really fast." I smiled sheepishly, embarrassed at her remark. I tried to control my breathing and told her I'd had temperature this morning, which was not a lie but not the reason for my abnormal breathing.

We kept conversing with each other in the entire class, telling each other our sides of the story. As soon as I was done with mine, she began to tell me about herself. She had shifted here with her family six years ago. Since she was from Rio --I was amazed to know Cree was Spanish, she knew exactly how I felt about the silence and the Sun.

We were so engrossed in the conversation that we both jumped up at the sound of the bell. Then we giggled, standing up. I liked Carmen; she was really friendly and soft spoken.

The moment we reached the door, Cree stopped in front of a tall, handsome dude, with spiky bronze hair and deep hazel eyes who I assumed was waiting for her.

"Hey sweetie, meet my new friend Ember," she gestured towards me. "And Ember, meet my boyfriend Luke." She gestured towards him.

"Nice to meet you Ember." He said in a husky voice, flashing a grin. I gave a light curve to my lips and nodded.

"So where are you from?" Luke asked casually.

"L.A." I answered briefly.

"Cool. I like beach girls, surfing and all, yeah?" he approved with a playful smile.

"Aha'n, surfing's the best part of it." I answered with a grin, which turned into a controlled, muffled laugh when Cree punched Luke's gut.

He wrinkled his nose, a painful look crossing his face as he said, "Ouch! Cree!" At that moment, he looked up from Cree at someone and exclaimed, "Hey bro!"

Alex came and gave a punch on his knuckle, greeting, "Hey!"

"I see you've met Ember here," he added, turning his gaze towards me with a smile.

"Yeah, sweet girl." Luke remarked with a grin.

"Thank you." I said softly.

"Pleasure, so..." he stopped when Cree nudged him.

"Okay, okay, 'guess we'll have to catch up later."

Alex shrugged with an amused smirk. I'd bitten my lower lip to stop me from laughing.

"See you Ember." Cree called, yanking Luke away before he could say something else. I waved at her.

"Um, Ember," Alex said. I turned towards him.

"If you don't release your lip, it'll bleed," he reminded. I hadn't realized I still hadn't released my lip.

"Oops, ouch!" I flinched.

"Show me, if you may,"

I nodded hesitantly. He took my chin and observed my lower lip closely. His face had grown quite serious now. I felt like kicking myself for blushing so badly. I knew without any mirror that my face was as red as a tomato and realizing he could see it, made me blush harder. My cheeks felt awfully hot.

His eyes suddenly looked up at my face and he instantly released my chin saying, "It's bleeding, come on." 

I followed him to the nurse's room, feeling like a fool. It would have been better if I had laughed instead of hurting myself.

I sat on the berth near the cabinets while Alex stood staring at his feet with his back against the wall, arms folded. While we waited for the nurse, I observed his outfit for the first time since morning. An unzipped black jacket over a blue check-patterned shirt, with a pair of black jeans and supras. That's it. And he looked like a movie star.

When I looked up at his face, it was a bit smug. I raised my eyebrows and then pulled them back. He smirked at my questioning gesture and shook his head.

The nurse broke in, startling me. She must've been in her mid thirties, with shiny, dark skin and dusty brown curls, tied into a bun. Her black eyes flickered onto Alex, who gave a nod in my direction. She turned and came rushing towards me. I still looked startled, I guess, because I saw the nurse grin at me as soon as she approached me.

Her gaze fell on my lips and she asked, "Why is your lip bleeding?"

I shrugged, giving a slight smile --my lip winced a little, as I said, "Bit it by accident."

She shook her head but grinned even wider, showcasing her perfect, pearly-white teeth. She wiped away the blood with a cotton ball and some antiseptic --I'd dug my nails into the foam to keep me from wincing. Then she applied some colourless cream on my lips, which stung too.

I drifted off to my thoughts while I let the nurse do her job. I never thought I would find a friend here, let alone friends. Though now, after two months of regret and hatred to the place, suddenly, I didn't want to go. I wanted to stay. I wanted to be with Alex, Carmen and maybe Luke too, who I'd met just in the window of a couple of hours.

Is that possible? Can an insignificant, new detail change your entire perspective on something you have set your mind on for countless hours?

For months, I had dreaded coming to Alaska, and suddenly, it felt like the most wonderful blunder of my sixteen-year-old life.

"Don't worry dear, the cream looks just like lip gloss." 

The nurse broke through my train of thoughts, bringing me back to reality. I looked up at her smiling face and thought, whatever was the expression on my face, she'd misread it.

I shook my head incredulously and said, "Oh it's not that I was thinking," I chuckled. "Looks would be the last thing I'd ever worry about."

"Well, you are an angel alright," she patted my hair. "Just a smile from you can make anyone's day." I turned crimson as I thanked her, getting down from the berth. She nodded and I bee-lined towards the door, which Alex already held open for me. It was my English class now.

"Is it better?" he asked when we were about to reach class.

"It's okay." I answered, thinking over my next intro.

"Don't worry," he said coolly. "This teacher won't give you a hard time. Relax."

The English class flew by as fast as wind. The teacher, Ms. Cathy was a polite young woman and she seemed to have liked me very much. I had to put up a long speech in Mathematics; Mr. Gerald made it first to my list, making Mr. Parker fall on second. The classes went effortless, almost too easy for me.

To my relief, it was recess when his class got over. The students were relieved as well, scurrying away like mice from cats.  I picked up my things and began to walk out of the class. Carmen met me warmly as soon as I got out. We walked down to the cafeteria.

"Man! This place is huge." I gasped as Carmen chuckled at my remark.

"You'll get used to it," she responded with a humoured smile.

"So where's Luke?" I asked as we got in line with our trays.

"Oh he's at the basketball practice with Alex. They'll be joining us in a while." She informed.

The line moved sluggishly, and I did not want to waste my break like this. I was hungry. At that exact moment, we reached the counter for which I was grateful. We bought our lunch and sat on an empty table. I took a bite out of my burger, wolfing it down gleefully.

As I took a sip of coke, I began, "How long have you and Luke been dating?"

She looked flattered by the question and with an idiotic, love-sick smile, she said, "Two years..."

I was taken aback. Two years? How could a relationship last for two freakin' years?

"Wow. You both must be pretty deep." I remarked, taking another bite out of my burger. She giggled.

"We both didn't start this intentionally." She said.

"Duh. Who does?" I asked rhetorically, rolling my eyes.

She laughed and continued, "We were just doing a science project and began to like each other, and after a year of dating, he gave me this," she showed her wrist to me. A beautiful bracelet hung loosely on her delicate wrist. The band sparkled like gold with tiny white gems on it, which threw out rainbows.

She continued dreamily, "And he confessed that he loved me. That was one of the best moments of my life."

"Hello? Earth to Carmen? This is a lunch break, not la-la-land," I said melodramatically and we both giggled.

"So what are you girls up to?" Luke asked upon his arrival, as he turned his chair and sat down. Carmen picked up a fry and put it in his mouth. He kissed her fingers and she reddened in the face.

"Nothing, just talking about you," I answered mischievously, Carmen giving killer signs with her eyes to me to shut up.

Luke turned to me with a confused frown and asked, "About me?"

"Yeah, about how you two came to be together," I hinted and Luke grinned my grin. Cree's face was inflamed by now.

"Oh, really now?" He asked teasingly, twirling a stray lock of Carmen's hair with a grin resembling that of a Cheshire cat's. "What did my beautiful girlfriend tell you about me?" Luke continued, now beginning to toy with Carmen, soothing her cheek with his lips.

"Stop making a scene, Lucas." Carmen hissed quickly, nudging him away. He laughed and I joined in.

"It's okay Cree. Come on, he's your boyfriend after all. Ease up." I said.

"Yeah, I am your Romeo, your prince charming, your Superman," Luke carried on dramatically, until Carmen punched his arm. "Ouch, or more like a punching bag," he concluded in mock hurt, rubbing his arm. Carmen and I laughed.

"Aw sweetie. I'm sorry. Does boo boo hurt bad?" Carmen asked Luke as if he was a toddler. Luke pouted, acting like he was upset. Cree kissed his cheek and Luke's grin split from ear to ear.

"Aw..." I coo'ed and we all cackled together.

The bell rang hard. It was then that I noticed that Alex still hadn't come. That upset me a little. We got up as I asked Luke, "Where's Alex?"

"Oh he's been busy with the practice, he mostly spends his recess there." he told me.

"Oh. Okay." I said quietly as we walked out of the cafeteria towards the class.

***

I walked towards the bus after Cree and Luke had taken off on his bike. It sure was a killer. I sighed dreamily, while I wondered if he'd let me ride the red monster.

"Hey, wait up!" I heard a familiar voice. I turned around and saw Alex taking long strides towards me, the crowd automatically taking side and making room for him.

"Hi, what's up?" I asked when he had reached me and we began to walk together to the bus.

He exhaled heavily while glancing at the pavement before looking up at me.

"Well practice was cool. Two weeks later there are gonna be try outs for the cheer-leading team, the basket ball -girls and boys- team and soccer team. You gonna try for any?" he asked.

"Nah. I'd rather not. I hate cheerleaders, so can't be one of 'em. Basket ball girls are macho types which I'm not and soccer is only for boys so..." I shrugged, my lips forming a straight line in resign. He chuckled as he shook his head.

We got in the bus and took the second seats. I was facing the window while Alex came in beside me. I nuzzled into my seat, folding my arms as I watched people come in, go out, or yank each other around.

"Em?" Alex's voice rang in my ears, jerking me out of my drowsiness.

"Huh? What?" I asked him in turn, as I turned around to gaze back at him. He began to chuckle. I arched an eyebrow.

"Don't be such a douche, okay? I haven't been getting much beauty sleep lately," I murmured lazily. He gasped, putting a hand on his chest and feigning hurt.

"Ouch, that was mean!" he exclaimed, mock hurt. I laughed.

The bus turned into 8493 Forest lane, my lane. I sighed and asked expressionlessly, "How long was I out?"

"Umm... almost half an hour. You sleep like a baby," Alex answered with a smile, as he furrowed his eyebrows playfully.

"I do not!" I exclaimed irritably as Alex chortled on my expense. I didn't mind it, though. I liked to hear his melodic chuckle.

Abruptly, his answer settled in and I began to wallow with self-pity and mentally slapped myself. I missed half an hour with him, plus, he had the pleasure to see me asleep. I hoped I wasn't drooling or snoring or my mouth wasn't open.

The bus finally came to a stop.

"So I guess I'll be seeing you tomorrow then," Alex said, leaving me dazzled yet again with a wit-scrambling smile on his perfect lips.

As soon as I recovered, I said, "You guessed right. I'll see you, take care."

He grinned and said, "You too." I nodded with a beam and stepped out the bus.

Well, things at school had been pretty interesting for today. I'd rate it four out of ten. Three actually. I met a really hot guy, who was actually quite fun to hang with. Don't get me wrong, but wouldn't you be happy too? Exactly.

I unbolted the door and stared in the empty house. Of course. Mom had applied for a job at Price textiles last week that was approved yesterday, so she was long gone and wouldn't be back by nine.

I sighed, got in and shut the door. I went upstairs to my bedroom. As soon as I opened the door, I moaned in frustration. The entire room was a mess, created by me when I was rushing for school. I set to work. I threw my bag on the couch and picked up my nightgown off the floor. I exhaled loudly, taking in my haphazard of a room.

Still, apart from that, my bedroom was very dear to me. It was grand after all.

Just after the door were two large steps. Then came my magnificent round bed with silk pillows and velvet smooth blanket. I had hung a large photo of mine from the beach rocks back in L.A on the wall with which the bed was pinned against. The wall on the opposite side of the bed was pure glass with a door carved to go to the gallery, which faced the street that led to the forest after a few minutes long drive. On the right side of my bed were a long couch and a shoe rack pinned to the wall.

On the left was my closet followed up with my stylish dresser. The stereo was pinned on the right side of the glass wall. Finally, following the left side of my room was my bathroom.

Now, honestly speaking, with wooden flooring, velvet black furniture, one way glass wall and a mirror tiled bathroom, who wouldn't like it? In fact, like is an understatement. Venerate would be a better word.

As soon as I was done, I took out an electric blue sleeveless shirt with black short shorts. I took a hot shower and swore from tomorrow I would not step out of the house without a jacket and warmer clothes. I'd suffered enough today.

After shower, I did my homework and went to bed. I was badly sleepy but I couldn't sleep. Because now that I was free with all tasks, my mind pondered on just one thought.

Alex.

His name sent a healthy jolt of shock-wave down my spine. For a minute, I couldn't help a smile and fancy the whole day I'd spent with him. Then I began to feel stupid and afraid of doing so. How could I allow such a morbid thought? But he was so....

Just shut up. My noble side screamed.

How could I do so? I relished over his astounding face, his velvet voice, his breath-taking crooked smile, and, most of all, his sedating eyes, that had left me spellbound at first sight...

Thinking about him, I didn't even notice when I was deeply under.

Author's note:

Hey guys! Hope you liked the first chapter. I tried to introduce as many people as I possibly could. Thank you if you voted, read or commented on this. I edited as much as I could. Would be uploading the next chapter soon hopefully :) Take care :D