- Chapter One -

I flipped open my cell phone, “Jez, I’m late” I yelled out to her without a proper greeting and as if that was her fault that I was tardy. A car honked its horn and I stuck out my middle finger. “Sounds hectic,” she said and I nodded as if she could see me. “It is,” I confirmed, “it’s fuckin’ crazy” she laughed. At least she found it amusing because I was about to kill someone. Just give me some time and the deed would be done.

After I hung up with my best friend a series of bad luck followed me. I fell up the stairs trying to get on the train’s platform, spilled my caramel iced latte on my light brown suede pants and last but not least, my favorite, breaking a heel a couple minutes away from my college. I was about to cry and between you and me, I did, in the girl’s bathroom, making me considerably late to class now.

“So sorry, Ms. Woode, I won’t be late again” I ran into the classroom looking down. Trying really hard to get to my seat in haste. Without bringing so much attention towards me, but as you can imagine that was very hard to do when a teenage girl comes limping towards the middle of the classroom with broken heels.

“I’ll make sure to tell Ms. Woode that when she returns, but in the meantime Miss, I suggest you turn your Algebra book to page thirty-two”

Suddenly my head shot up just as I was sitting down. I knew that voice and it was a man’s and if I remembered quite correctly Ms. Woode was in fact a woman last time I checked. It took several minutes, just several to recuperate from the shock. Right in front of me in slacks and a black shirt was Mr. Badass without a cigarette in his mouth and no five o’clock shadow and still he managed to uphold that Badass image. This guy was a math wiz?

“I assume it’s safe to say you’re, Ms. Catherine Parker”

At first I didn’t answer him, ‘Don’t forget to speak Catherine’ I told myself and after what seemed like an eternity I muttered a, “yes”

“As I mentioned earlier when you weren’t in,” he started, “my name is Mr. O’Connor” he gestured to the blackboard where his name was written cursively in chalk. “And I’m glad you decided to grace us with your presence Ms. Parker”

I stood silent. Can you imagine how embarrassed I felt? Very. After Algebra was over I quickly dodged Mr. O’Connor and used my cell phone to call my best friend. The best friend that was always there when I called and was always aware of my life and where the fuck it was heading. This friend that I could count on and tell everything to - the friend that didn’t pick up “Stacey”, her cell phone.

It went straight to voice mail, “Hey guys, sorry I couldn’t pick up, but leave a message and I’ll call you back, byes”

“Jezebel!” I yelled frantically, “That guy I was telling you about yesterday is my substitute teacher! Not to mention I looked horrific today! My heels decided to give out and broke! And you know those new suede pants I bought with you? Oh ha, ha, you won’t believe it, but they’re already ruined I dropped coffee on them! He probably thinks I’m such a… fucking loser” I trailed off.

“Just a little” I heard a voice say and I turned around. I squeaked and shut the cell phone closed. “You do look ridiculous, which is far funnier than looking like one of those attractive secretaries”

“Excuse me?” I didn’t believe I heard him correctly.

“Yesterday, you looking all prissy like,” he waved a hand, “that was amusing, didn’t think you’d come to school looking like the front cover of cosmopolitan today though. Threw me off a little bit. Couldn’t figure if you were the shy and quiet type or just the model motif that every guy thinks of when they see suede Gucci pants or what looks remarkably like it”

I was in shock. Was he gay? I really hope he wasn’t gay.

“I’m not,” he laughed.

What? Did I just say that out loud?

“Yeah, yeah you did” he smiled and I blushed. Okay so at the moment I couldn’t keep thoughts to myself, it was difficult with a handsome substitute teacher was in front of me depicting my ensemble.

“I would offer you a cigarette, but you just don’t do them,” he remembered taking one out of his pocket, “not your cup o’ tea, right?”

I nodded, “Yes, that’s right. It’s bad for you”

He rolled his eyes, “So, I’ve heard”

I couldn’t take anymore of this, I went to turn around, but I forgot that one of my five-inch heels wasn’t on my left boot and I lost balance and fell into the arms of Mr. O’Connor. “Is that the new style?” he asked mockingly.

“No” I regained balance, keeping my tears hidden inside my soul. “Come, there’s this little Chinese store outside, I’m sure we can get you a pair of slippers for the time being”

And that was how it started. Next thing I knew the guy bought me Chinese slippers and we were walking down Chambers. So far the day was eventful and all in one class period.

He took his cigarette out of his mouth, “Would you like to have lunch with me tomorrow?” he asked while we were crossing the street.

I blinked and just stopped walking. Was he serious?

“Parker!” he yelled and pushed me forward, “what the hell was that?” he asked chuckling and I blushed feeling embarrassed again. I still couldn’t think straight, or walk, breathing was difficult even then and I scolded myself mentally for acting in such a way. Not to mention I had a boyfriend. “Forget about that asshole” I could hear jezebel’s voice ring loud and clear in my thoughts. I pushed her voice in the back of my mind. Suddenly I jumped something was vibrating in my jacket. I took my cell phone out and the caller ID read: Poo Bum, speak of the devil. I flipped open my cell. “Hey baby” I said happily, “Yeah, I’m going to Psych class and then I’m going to the library” I said when he asked me my schedule. “Oh okay, I Love You, bye” I closed the phone and placed it in my jacket.

I looked at Mr. O’Connor and he smiled. “Good to ya?” he asked, but I wasn’t quite sure what he was asking. “What?”

He rephrased the question, “Is he good to you?”

I nodded, “Oh yeah, yeah definitely O’Connor, I mean I wouldn’t be with him if he wasn’t good to me, you know?”

Mr. O’Connor leaned on the entrance door of the school and smirked. It was the sexiest smirk I ever saw. You could see deep dimples and his eyes were squinted in a sexy sort of way. Suddenly he ran his hand threw his dirty blonde hair, “You can call me Tyler when we’re here”

“And you can call me Catherine”

‘All night long!’ I thought and it was just that a thought and when I realized I didn’t leak that sentence out I mentally patted myself on the shoulders. Looking at him was amazing and I knew it was going to change everything I was almost certain of.