One: Meetings and Old Feelings.

Nathen sighed as he wiped his forehead for what seemed like the hundredth time in the ten minutes he’d been sat on the bleachers. His t-shirt was clinging to his back, his jeans felt as if they were smothering his legs and he could already feel a headache coming on. He could already tell that today was not going to be a good day for him.

“How was that Nathen?”

Squinting, he looked towards the source of the question.

Amy.

Closing his eyes, he sighed, mentally bracing himself for the entourage of questions he knew that were coming his way. He liked the girl, he really did, but for the life of him he couldn’t figure out why he ever started to date her, let alone why he was still dating her; he couldn’t stand to be around her for more than five minutes at a time and he was constantly making up excuses as to why he couldn’t see her.

“Do you think my time’s improved? I mean, it’s pretty hot today so I think it’s slowing me down, maybe I should drink some water and rest in the shade for a bit. What do you think? Nathen?”

Placing his head in his hands, he nodded a quick ‘yes’ flashing her a quick smile knowing full well that if she didn’t go away any time soon he’d end up screaming at her. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d screamed at her, he thought the last time that maybe she’d get the hint, but she put it down to one of his ‘artistic moods’. He’s still trying to figure out why him being an artist means he’s going to have mood swings.

“Sit with me? We haven’t talked all week and you know I’m going away this weekend so we won’t be able to spend any time together.”

Shame he thought. Lifting his head, he briefly looked around the bleachers and onto the track and field. Finding no possible excuse to ditch her, he gave her a small and insincere smile – not that she noticed – and moved to get up. Before he had enough time to gather his bag though, three giggling girls ran up to Amy and surrounded her.

Nathen smiled to himself.

After talking for a few moments, Amy looked towards Nathen and plastered on what was obviously a fake look of despair. The words melodramatic bitch sprang to mind before she started to speak.

“I’m really sorry Nathen, but it seems there’s a new student and we’re going to have to show him around.”

Quirking his eyebrows, he looked at Amy. She’d never in her entire seventeen years of existence offered to help anyone unless she’d gain something. As far as he could tell, there was nothing to gain from showing the new kid around school.

“It’s fine. Go ahead, and erm…have fun. If you need me, I’ll be in the art rooms or out here.” Or hiding from you in the parking lot…or home…

Then, before she could have a chance to change her mind or ask him to go with her, he grabbed his bag and walking as fast as he could without running, he made his way into the school.

Somehow he always managed to get out of spending time with her. Whether it was through making up an excuse, his art taking up his time, or her giggly little friends ‘needing her’ he hadn’t had to spend more than ten minutes alone with her over the past month.

Not even she can miss those signs he thought to himself, though as soon as those thoughts entered his head he realised that, yes…yes she could miss those signs; she only ever sees what she wants to see.

That was the problem with her. He’d tried to break up with her on several occasions but each and every single time, she’d smile at him and bring up a completely different topic of conversation brushing off the fact that he’d just told her he didn’t think they were working out as a couple.

It was frustrating to say the least. But, as long as he didn’t have to spend time with her, talk to her for long periods of time or touch her in any capacity whatsoever, then he guessed the situation was a lot better than it could have been.

Yes he thought, at least this way, he wasn’t one of the poor people she made life a living hell for. Not that she’d ever be able to make his life a living hell, even if they weren’t dating – she was stupid, yes, but not so stupid that she’d make the mistake of pissing off the one guy that knew everything about her; the things she wanted no one to know about.

And know things he did. Smiling with the knowledge that dating her hadn’t been in vain, he made his way to the parking lot. He knew he shouldn’t be skipping classes today, he’d already skipped all of Monday, but he didn’t know how long he’d be able to cope with the intense heat and thought of seeing her around. She was wearing a short skirt and a top that clung to her, in what he supposed were all the right places, unfortunately for him, it only made him feel queasy.

But before he got to his car he realised that he’d left his sketchpad on the bleachers. Knowing that if he didn’t go back now while he’d only been gone five minutes, he’d never see it again, he turned around and made his way back into the school.

For some reason, the trip back to the bleachers seemed to take longer than the one to the parking lot, but then again, there were more people filling up the hallways now, so it was a lot stuffier now than it was before.

He was definitely going to skip class.

Finally finding himself on the field, he made his way to the bleachers and up to the row he was sitting on before he left. Smiling as he saw his sketchpad, he picked it up, inspected it for any…new additions, before turning around and making his way back to his car.

Taking a detour past the toilets, he stopped when he saw Amy and her friends stood in the hallway. He couldn’t see who they were talking to, or what they were saying, but he could definitely tell that all four girls were flirting like mad.

It didn’t surprise him that Amy was flirting, he even felt kind of happy; maybe she’d let him break up with her if there was a new potential boyfriend for her.

He was about to turn around and walk back the other way so Amy wouldn’t see him, when the girls parted and he got to see just who they were talking to. The first thing he saw was the black and bright blue hair.

And then he couldn’t think straight, because before he knew what he was doing, Nathen had started to walk towards the group, intent on getting closer to this new person.

He knew he’d regret going near Amy when he didn’t have to, but he had to find out who this person was, and for the first time since he’d started dating Amy, he felt jealous. Not surprising was the fact that he was jealous of her.

“NATHEN!”

Grabbing his arm, she pulled him towards the group of people and extremely close to her. For once he didn’t try and pull away.

“Nathen, this Tyler. He’s new.”

Needing to touch him and make sure he was real, Nathen extended his arm and hand towards Tyler.

“Nice to meet you Tyler.”

Tyler grinned and grabbed hold of his hand His eyes were sparkling and Nathen couldn’t seem to look away. Noticing this, Tyler’s grin turned into a smirk,

“You too Nathen. I’m sure we’ll get to be really good friends.”

Blushing, Nathen let go of Tyler’s hand and clasped hold of Amy’s. He didn’t know what had just happened, but he got the feeling that things were definitely going to change. Luckily, the four girls hadn’t been taking any notice of the small exchange and for once he was glad he had Amy to make everything seem somewhat normal.

“We have to get to Art Amy, we’ll be late otherwise.”

Nodding and smiling, she turned to Tyler, said a quick goodbye before leading Nathen away. Nathen could feel Tyler’s eyes on him the whole way down the corridor and he didn’t know whether to be scared or excited of all the new possibilities Tyler had brought him.

A/N.

I have yet to finish Games Make the World Go Round and apologise to anyone waiting for the last chapter, however, I’m having issues with it, and beating up my characters hasn’t had the effect I was going for. Therefore, I started this and…who knows, I might even continue with it. Also, I am used to writing in first person, so sorry if this blows.

Now, review dammit.