"So who's the hottie?"

At those words I was pulled out of my trance and into the familiar hallway of Eastwood High. It was before school, but already the hallways were crowded with bunches of groggy teens. All who had never completely learned the fact that standing in the middle of the hallway is a bit annoying.

I blinked.

What?

My eyes focused on James standing in front of me, a smile tugging on his lips and a playful look dancing in the green hue of his eyes. His hands were in his pocket as he leaned his back against the blue lockers, backpack out of sight.

It was a mystery to me how James had survived the last three years of high school without a backpack. I had no doubt in my mind that he would manage our senior year without it too. Glancing back at Jame's face I saw a look of expecting resting upon it. And it was then that I had comprehended just what he had said.

The hottie.

I followed his gaze, slowly turning to see who it was that had caught his attention this time. There were lots of girls at the school that liked him, sure. But after James heard the words "I love you" from them it was like the charming spell wore off and what was real became revealed.

So I felt pity for whatever girl it was this time that had caught his attention. Whatever sheep that would have the wolf prying upon them. But at the sight of June's crimson hair I felt my body stiffen. You've got to be kidding.

Katie had told me this morning that Juniper was going to school with me, that it would be good for her to hang out with kids her age and move on from what had happened.  I had tried to compromise with Katie, but with one look at June's face I had melted.

And that was why I was here, in this scenario.

"Nobody" my voice was strained, rushed as I turn away from Juniper. I knew if I looked at her enough my facade would crack. My focus turned back on James, who had curiosity evident on his face. Quickly I added, "let's just go."

I took a few steps away from June and towards the overly crowded hallway. James stood there for a moment, watching me before shrugging his shoulders, "okay."

Guilt tugged at me with each step I took further away from her. But it was for the best....right? James would break her heart, I'm sure of it. He's already had plenty of girls, and the last thing June needed was him.

"You sure she was just 'nobody,'" James spoke out skeptically as the two of us walked through the hallway, weaving our way through the groups of students. The way he spoke made me tense up, why was he asking this? Could he see through me?

I didn't know what to say. I was worried about her capturing his attention, of the two of them becoming anything more then strangers, or people close enough to say 'hi' in class but ignore each other once in the world. But the thought of me admitting to anything, to liking her was just what the curse wanted. 

It would be a step away from the path my parents had taken, a step away from the path that would cause June's death.

"I'm sure," I spoke through gritted teeth. Maybe if I keep telling myself at some point I'll believe it.

The bell rung throughout the hallway as I stood there, saying a quick bye to James and making my way to my first class of the day.

The time was still counting down on my wrist. The black ink continuously changing before my eyes. Nobody else could see it, but I knew it was there. I knew it was linked to June...and I know if I don't get rid of it she will die, and due to the rules there wouldn't be much I could do about it. I could have anyone in the world but her, so why was she the only one I wanted?

13 days, 12 hours, 34 minutes, and 16 seconds

I stared at the clock, letting out a small sigh. It was times like this that I really wished my father was here. I was thankful for Katie and all that she had told me about the curse. But my father had lived with it, he would know what I should do in these situations.

What I should do with her...

My parents had lived many years with the curse, why was I only given fourteen days? Was there a point to worrying about this when she would just be dead? Shouldn't I just ignore her, break her heart and go off to college. Meet a girl, marry her and have a son under the curse who has to go through everything I am now. It's a cycle, a terrible cycle that I wont be able to end.

So many questions, and so little answers.

-------

"Aspen there you are," James smiled at me as he sat down beside me, coke can in hand, "any news on the party? Able to go?"

I had forgotten about that, in the midst of everything going on a party was the last thing on my mind. Maybe I'd go though, not to the party but to my old house. I was sure a new family had moved in, after all the house had been put on the market and auctioned off. But my fathers studies on the curse wasn't in the house but in the shed behind it, hidden within the walls.

There had to be something about his life when first meeting my mom, a way as to how he prolonged the curse.

"Can I sit with you," a voice, barely heard over the cafeteria roar spoke out to me. I turned, the smell of strawberries and vanilla filling the air as I did. June.

Her eyes were drained, weary from the lack of sleep. Dark circles were present over them, but had been hidden by a light layer of make up. Her beautiful lips were curled into a smile as her eyes briefly met my own before turning to James.

Before I could even open my mouth James had spoken out, "A pretty girl siting with us? How could I say no."

Now unaware of the food at the table, I turned my gaze to Juniper. A light pink coated her cheeks, and her usual tired eyes looked lively, a new brightness shining in them. Strange.

It was then that I noticed I had that my hand was next to her on the cafeteria table, and so I moved it closer. Unable to rationalize my thoughts I laid my hand on hers, gently as if I were scared to suffocate it. My heartbeat increased as my gaze moved upwards and meeting her own.

The first thing I realized were her pink lips, that were slightly parted as if she was trying to whisper out a secret for only em to here. But the next thing I noticed was her eyes, and the look they held in them I could only guess was identical to the look in mine. One filled with a brightness that shown only when she was around, of a new found hope.

"So Juniper was it," James asked, breaking me from my thought and interrupting whatever moment that had been going on between Juniper and I. I quickly removed my hand, face red from embarrassment. Please tell me that didn't just happen.

James sent Juniper one of his charming smiles. Juniper nodded to him, her eyes no longer on me as he continued, "there's a party tomorrow at Harry's house, wanna come?"

"Who's Harry," Juniper asked, her doe eyes focused on James. I slowly took a bite of my meal, watching them out of the corner of my eye.

"You don't know who Harry is? Are you new to the town?" The more questions James asked the warmer I felt in the overly cramped room. What if he got her to say anything about where she was living? What if he found out about my situation? I had never told June to be quiet about it, that the entire town thought I was Katie's nephew who had moved in. 

June nodded as she spoke out, her voice as smooth as honey, "I guess you can say that...I'm staying with a good friend for the time being."

James looked satisfied by the answer and I...well I was beyond glad that she had not just called me a 'good friend' but kept my living situation a secret. I'd have to thank her later on about it.

"I'll come" June spoke, her doe eyes filled with excitement causing me to freeze. Maybe I could make it to both, although the thought of it seemed unlikely.

"Great" James said as he got up from the table his gaze shifting to someone within the crowd, "I'll see you then."