You know if someone had told me I’d see him again, I’d have laughed in their face. If someone had told me I’d speak to him again, I’d have shoved them jokingly. If someone had told me I’d rekindle my relationship with him, hell I’d have bought the next round of drinks. But if someone had told me I’d be here ready to die for him,--well I guess I’m getting a little ahead of myself.

Another cool day in the town Kingwood Township. You know you live in a small town when it’s in the name and as usual here I am sitting bored out of my mind in class. If this was their idea of advanced placement then I’ve gotta be a bloody genius, The bell ringing was heavenly to my ears as I gathered up my things and slipped out before everyone.

The sudden yank to the side made me trip over my own feet and Angela laughed, her perfect pearly whites mocking me.

“Now that is a good way to start the day,” she said once she’d calmed down and I rolled my eyes fixing my bag to better sit on my shoulder.

“Ha ha, but not a good way to start my senior year, Ang,” I replied despite the smile threatening my lips. For some reason, it was impossible to stay mad at her.

“I think you’ve already sealed your reputation, Chase.”

I smirked. It was true. More than really. Since my freshman year, I’d always had a knack for publicly embarrassing myself. First year I caused a domino fall in the lunchroom covering everyone in the vicinity with some type of ‘food’ as I don’t think cafeteria food quite fits the definition. Sophomore year I fell off the stage in a theater production and my latest memorable moment was that of getting sick while accepting an award from the Superintendent of schools covering his 300 dollar shoes with my lunch. I was praying this year my embarrassing feats would at least be for Angela’s eyes only.

We started off down the hall together and it looked like she was reminiscing as well by the grin on her face.

Angie to me but Angela Courcel to everyone else was the definition of blond and beautiful. Golden locks hung in perfect ways, perfect curves formed her perfect bodice that would probably make even a burlap sack look good. To top it all off she had baby blue eyes that hypnotized any man that met her gaze. I tried to hate her but it’s not as though I was the ugly duckling. Though it’d be easier if she was at least a dumb blonde but oh well.

I was shorter at nearly 5’4” but if anyone asked I lied or wore tall shoes. My figure wasn’t as curvaceous as Angela’s but I was anything but fat having been an avid athlete for many years though after a few bone, ligament, and tendon breaking accidents, I thinned though my bust grew enough so I didn’t look completely hopeless in a dress. My hair color changed on a monthly basis once being a blond like my dear friend naturally. My only feature that I would agree wholeheartedly with a compliment was that of my eyes. They were a vibrant green most of the time, although according to Angela, they changed with my mood.

“So, black all over again? Well I suppose it’s better than that weird red and its definitely better than blue. I can’t believe your dad let you get away with that”

I smiled missing my blue hair that I’d had throughout the summer.

“Well he hardly sees me anyway. Mr. On-call-doctor,” I shrugged. “But he liked it. Only you didn’t.”

“Oh Chase, what am I going to do with you?”

“Don’t even. You know you wouldn’t be my friend if I was any different.”

She shrugged not wanting to admit such a fact. I’d known Angie since her family moved to Kingwood in my late elementary years. At first we did anything but get along. See, Angela is rich, filthy rich. I never asked why but apparently her dad owned several patent companies. Everyone wanted to be her friend but I couldn’t stand her bubbly popularity.

After awhile she couldn’t stand all her false friends and joined me for lunch despite my distaste and confusion. From then on out, we’d been inseparable.

“So when are you starting your college classes?”

“Not until September,” I answered as we walked into government together. “But Mrs. Foster had a bunch of tutors that will come here to ‘help’. Why didn’t you sign up again?”

“My dad thought I was taking on too much.”

“Yeah but now I’ll be finishing at least a semester ahead of you.”

“Oh well. You can’t get rid of my that easy.”

I smiled and walked in taking my usual seat in the back, right by the window. I rolled my eyes as Angela stopped to say individual hellos to half the class like the little social butterfly she was before taking her seat next to me.

“So, who’s begging for your arm this year?” I asked as it’d became a game since dating—well for Angela—had become a reality that we bet on who would fall all over themselves to take her to the spring dance.

“Hmm, well Jeremy is looking more built this year.”

“I hear he got a gym membership and spent all summer pumping up.”

Angela laughed. “Okay, then there’s Bryan.”

I pretended to gag. “He’s so bleach headed I think his brain has melted.”

“Okay….what about Daniel?” she asked waving to said person across the room.

I couldn’t help but give him a quick and subtle up and down. Daniel was considered the hottest guy in our small senior class of less than 200 students; Dirty blonde hair, athletic build, being a football jock with dark hazel eyes. I’ll admit he had the looks but he definitely lacked a personality in my opinion. Angela could do better but for picture-sake he’d do.

And I told her just that. “He’ll do.”

Class started and I settled into my usual daydream state jotting down my crazy ideas into my endless supply of notebooks. Angela paid avid attention having quite the different study habits since she couldn’t cram the night before like I often did.

I looked out the window and watched storm clouds roll in until car lights blinded me momentarily. I turned away until they were gone and I saw a black Audi pull into the teacher’s lot.

Angela whistled quietly staring out the window.

“Looks like you got competition Ang,” I teased.

“Competition for what?”

“Person able to buy all their friends.”

She shoved me playfully and the bell rang signaling we could go. I weaved between people and desks dashing into the hallway to wait as I knew Angela would take forever to get out as she secured the perfect date for pictures and reputation. It’s not like I hadn’t had a boyfriend or two over the years but it never lasted long. Guys tended to find me a bit odd.

I stood against the lockers when I suddenly felt as though someone was watching me, even in the now crowded hallway but by the time I looked up I didn’t see anyone even daring a glance my direction.

“Ready?” Angela asked making me flinch as she walked up.

“Yeah, yeah. Heard anything about the new English teacher?”

“Young, graduated with honors from TCNJ and supposedly quite the stickler about papers.”

“How do you know all that?”

“Working in the office has its perks, not to mention you hear the juiciest gossip.”

I shook my head as she linked arms with me making us look very much like yin and yang; her in a white dress with blue flowers, me with tight black pants, black cami and oversized black jacket. People stared mostly in awe of our friendship but I’d learned over the years to grin and bear it. How awful.

It’s always nice to have a teacher in the category of ‘eye candy.’ It makes the day pass by so much easier.

“Well, well, well, what have we here?” Angela said as we spied the teacher. Mr. Joseph Hareton, the newest addition to the ‘Del Val’ High faculty. And here I thought Daniel was cute but what can I say, I’m a sucker for darker looks.

Mr. Hareton had short brown hair with a matching goatee that shaped his face kindly to offset his rather intense gaze that followed us as we went inside and took our seats—always by the window.

I spied the Audi again and I’m not sure why it distracted me so easily that I tore my eyes off Mr. Eye-candy.

“Remind me again why it’s wrong to date teachers?”

“They’re old, poor and if it ends your class time will be choked with the air of tension,” I explained without even turning.

“What are you looking at?”

I quickly turned back. “Nothing. Waiting for my rain.”

“You and rain. Give me a sunny sky any day.”

I half smiled. We were so different yet so similar.

“Ahem, what are your names—in the back?” Mr. Hareton asked and I looked up.

“Chase,” I said simply.

“Okay and I actually already know you. Angela right? Work in the office?”

“That’s me,” she smiled in her naturally flirtatious way.

“Seems we’ll only have about ten people in our class. Should make things interesting,” he said trying to be conversational and Angela caught on quick letting me slip into my own thoughts. Ten people? That just told me that skipping was out of the question. Damn small schools sometimes.

Class went by relatively fast as Mr. Hareton went over the syllabus and his expectations for the year. You could tell he was inexperienced but it made me like him that much more knowing our class could be a memorable point in his career being his first class.

It was no surprise to me that Mr. Hareton held Angie back and so I waited in the hall as per usual. She came out grinning and I rolled my eyes with severity.

“No dating teachers.”

“Give me a little credit, Chase. This was politics.”

I eyed her suspiciously. “He’s the new Student Council sponsor, isn’t he?”

She smiled and I knew that I was looking at the four-time Student Council president before anyone had a chance to vote. I groaned and headed off down the hall.

“You need a ride today?” she asked as we reached a fork in the hall.

“No, have a meeting after school. I’ll probably walk.”

Angie shook her head. “Don’t know how you stand it.”

“Well I have to maintain this girlish figure somehow,” I joked walking down to my favorite class--photography.

Photography was easily my passion in life and I don’t want to brag, but I’m good. There’s not much I excelled in but this was it. I’d done almost every picture for the school paper and tons of outside projects and I’d never heard a single complaint. Like I said, I’m good.

This class was even smaller being the advanced course but this was one of those classes where I’d literally have to be on my death bed, bleeding out and beyond repair to miss.

“Chase!” Mrs. Kerrigan motioned on the other side of the tiny room. I walked up setting my bag on a random desk that would no doubt be the one I claimed for the rest of the year just to keep up a little routine.

“Hey, Mrs. K.”

“Guess what I got?”

“A life?” I teased and she waved me off like the awesome person she was lifting a FedEx box onto her desk.

I eyed it with eager suspicion.

“Now you know how we use the EOS Rebel for class?”

“Yes?” I drug out.

“Well this year I’ve been sent this bad boy.”

I smirked at Mrs. K’s attempt at talking in what she thought was the modern tongue but I was unable to dish out a quip remark as I saw the thing of beauty; a Nikon N90 S 35 mm camera worth well over a thousand dollars.

“Oh my god, Mrs. K. It’s beautiful.”

“It’s yours.”

I about fell to the floor right then sure I hadn’t heard her right.

“What?”

“You’re my best student. You have an eye for this so I’m leaving it to you to test for the semester.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Don’t make me regret it and do try and keep it from the others. I’ll issue you a Rebel as well,” she winked and I took the bag and hid it inside my school bag just as my four classmates walked in.

Gabby was a girl I never really understood. She was similar to Angela in that she was one of those bubbly sorts of people who had to be friends with everyone. She had brown hair with prominent highlights and a skinny figure.

Amanda on the other hand was my partner in photography crime. She’s definitely what you’d consider Goth with her dyed black hair and crazy clothes style and probably the only one in a 1000 mile radius of Kingwood.

Now Tony was a wiry thing with reddish brown hair and couldn’t be seen without designer clothes. He loved flaunting the fact he had money and I loved flaunting my complete lack of interest. Derek was a shaggy haired closet artist with an obvious crush on all three girls of Advanced Photography.

This class wasn’t like my others. There was no talk of syllabi or class etiquette. Instead, Mrs. K ordered pizza and we talked about our summers until the bell rang. I stayed after for a minute and to no surprise, so did Derek.

“Hey Chase, can I give you a lift home?”

“Thanks but no thanks. I have a meeting after school.”

“On the first day?”

I smiled. “Yeah, college prep stuff.”

“Oh right. Well the offer’s always out there.”

I nodded but he insisted on walking me to the meeting classroom as though he was making sure my excuse was legit. I thanked him and took a seat in the second to last row pulling out a spiral to write in as I waited for everyone to show up. That’s was something I always had on me, blank paper and mechanical pencils to feed my other passion in life; writing for those who don’t catch things. Mind you, there were few to none I actually allowed to read anything I dished out.

I recognized most people by voice alone so I didn’t bother looking up but when a silent someone walked in and took a seat diagonally behind me, I couldn’t help but steal a quick glance.

Out of my peripheral sat a dark, jet-black haired man—‘boy’ just didn’t seem the right way to describe him. Seemingly perfect features but I didn’t want to make judgments too soon without a proper look.

I heard him sigh and lean back in his chair as Mrs. Foster and several of her aides walked in.

“Welcome everyone. I hope you’re all having a wonderful day.”

I smirked able to feel the mutual eye roll of every student in the vicinity. I began my usual process of tuning her out looking up every now and then so she wouldn’t be too suspicious and it was during one of those brief glances that I saw her disappointed look at the man sitting behind me. I smiled to myself reaching into my bag for a blank notebook and pencil. Subtly I handed it back to him.

I glanced back and he gave me a curious expression before reaching forward to take it. His finger barely grazed my own but the sudden shock made me release and I winced early waiting for the disruptive sound only to look back again and see that he was holding it securely in his lap.

He leaned forward right next to me and I could feel the hair on my neck rise.

“Tell me…” he started in a melodic voice that made me want to turn and focus all my attention on him. “Are these meetings always so bloody boring?”

I detected a slight hint of an accent and couldn’t stop the blush of my cheeks.

“Usually,” I relayed letting my hair fall forward.

“So, how do you get through them? And without the glare she’s giving me?”

“Trick is to look busy while doing something to entertain yourself.”

He looked over my shoulder and I quickly covered what I’d been working on. “You’ve got your own now.”

He emitted a quiet laugh settling back into his chair. I could feel his eyes on me and that made it incredibly hard to write. He leaned forward again draping his arm over to hand me my notebook back.

“What’s your name?” he whispered dropping it into my lap.

“Chase.”

“Justin!” Mrs. Foster called as he opened his mouth to return the courtesy and I looked forward to see she was talking to him. “Would you like to come up and say a few words?”

“Sure.” he nodded.

I don’t know why I suddenly felt so betrayed and it seemed to me that he saw my dislike. I ignored him as I checked my phone and saw I was going to be late for a photo shoot. With all my free time I had started a little side business and several classmates employed me for their senior pictures.

I flagged down Mrs. Foster before he started talking and explained, lying about the reason knowing she wouldn’t support picture taking as a viable excuse. I chanced one last look and he winked at me as I left.

I gave an involuntary shiver as I walked out I knew I wouldn’t be able to shake his face from my mind. I got into my car irritated by that fact. Everyone assumed I didn’t have a car; I just rarely drove it to school. After all, my dad was a doctor so even though I gave Angela a hard time about her family income, my dad and I didn’t do too bad ourselves.

Luckily my ‘client’ for the afternoon wasn’t overly picky because my mind was elsewhere throughout the entire session. The pictures still turned out fabulous especially with a pretty new camera.

Eventually I headed back to my empty house as the good doctor was on call at the emergency room. I tossed my bag on the dining room table that hadn’t actually been dined on in years. Then I fell onto the couch and clicked on a movie.

Not long after I heard the front door open and Angela joined me on the couch.

“Parents out of town again?” I asked.

“Yep, dad at the hospital?”

“Yep, what siblings out in the city?”

"Yep, what about Nate?”

I shrugged. My elder brother by almost either years, used to be thick as thieves until he went off to medical school in New York.

“He’s busy,” I finally answered.

“Do I need to yell at him?”

“Be my guest if you can actually get a hold of him.”

Angela nodded and I knew she’d probably find a way. One of the many reasons I loved her. Soon she was sprawled out across the couch on top of my legs and lap while I had grabbed my bag and used her as a desk. She flipped through some of them deciding which one she wanted to read.

“Hey, what’s this?”

“What’s what?” I asked not looking over.

“This,” she insisted hitting me with the spiral so I’d look up and my brow rose at what I saw.

It was a drawing of me glancing back through my hair from where I sat at the after school meeting.

“That must be the notebook I let the tutor borrow.”

“Tutor?”

“Yeah from the college program I’m on. Mrs. Foster has a deal with some tutor program to help us out.” I said even though I'd told Angela about it several times.

“No, I already know about that.”

“Then what?”

“Why didn’t you call and tell me a guy was crushing on you?” she said rather interested now.

“One, I didn’t know, and two, no he’s not.”

“You’re delusional. Of course he is.”

“How do you figure?”

“ 'Chase, hope you like the picture’,” she read in fine calligraphy-like handwriting in the corner.

I couldn’t ignore the way my stomach rose to my throat.

“Who drew this?”

I tore my eyes away and stared at my current spiral. “Name’s Justin.”

“Hmm, I’ll have to check him out.”

“Be my guest,” I said though there was a small nag in the back of my mind that didn’t want her anywhere near him. I shoved that aside and enjoyed my night though I stole a look at the picture a time or two.