Chapter 1

I didn't know what could happen when I walked up to Joey. I just really wanted him to like me. He was leaning against the drab, gray lockers but his presence burst through the hall like ball of sunlight. His shaggy brown hair brushed gently down into his dark chocolate eyes and fluttered around his flawless skin. He was wearing a black t-shirt with gold-dusted black jeans. Joey looked good every day but this particular day, I couldn't help but stare from down the hall.

So, without thinking, I began my approach. The hall was bustling with people moving from third period to fourth; I had to dodge left and right to avoid getting killed by a backpack. He was talking to some of the other popular guys in our school. His smile was radiant as he laughed; his chuckle was musical through the noises of the hall. All I could see or hear was him. I took a few shuffling steps forward, ducking under a trombone that swung towards my face, and straightened up.

Suddenly, his illuminated eyes turned on me. It felt like he already knew me in the way I wanted him to. My pink lips pulled into the best sensual smile that I could manage, tilted my chin and strode forward. I was almost there; he was only 10 lockers away. He raised his left hand and waved gently. His friends turned to stare. Joey's smile widened as I raised my hand to wave, and I opened my mouth and…

A brunette stepped in front me from the right, knocking into me just enough to cause me to stumble. "Joey!" the girl cried. "I can't believe you're here! When did you transfer in?"

"Last week. You really didn't know?" he chuckled.

I stopped dead in my tracks, heat flooding my cheeks, and I backed swiftly into the edge of the nearest lockers. He wasn't waving at me? He didn't even know I existed. Glancing back, he was talking animatedly with the flawless girl. His friends dispersed, giving them room to their selves. My eyes stung and warmed with embarrassment; I wonder if he actually saw me making a fool of myself.

Thinking about it, I had no idea why I was so attached to Joey. I have only known him for a week after all. And the way we had met was pretty pathetic.

It was after school, last Monday, on my walk home. The day was beautiful: sunny and warm with birds chirping. The sky sparkled a shade of deep blue and I couldn't help but stare. But then I bumped into a body.

"Oh sorry," I mumbled, taking a step back.

I stared down at the guy's black converse shoes when he replied, "It's okay. I wasn't paying attention either." It had to be the sexiest voice I've ever heard. So, my eyes traveled up his jeans to the tight shirt wrapped around his bulging muscles, to his perfect chiseled face. He was a radiant being and all I could do was gape.

"Are you okay?" he asked, leaning in. Obvious worry clouded his eyes.

"No, no," I breathed, "I'm just…" I didn't know what to say. I couldn't tear my eyes away from his.

"My name is Joey. I just moved here. Aren't you in my English class?"

I gasped in shock. He had noticed me on his first day? I hadn't even noticed him! Well, that was probably Seth's fault. He was always bugging me in English. Oh, wait, Joey just asked me a question! I nodded briskly, "yeah, Miss Smith's class?"

"Yeah. And sorry, I didn't catch your name."

"Vanessa," I breathed.

And that was the way we met. Not the most exciting way, but it was adorable to me. And just thinking about now was making my eyes tear up.

"Are you okay?"

In surprise, I sucked in a breath and turned, expecting to see Joey. Unfortunately, it was just Seth. I quickly dried my eyes and collected myself. I just didn't understand why Seth kept following me around. Every time I was mean to him, he forgave me. He had convinced himself that we were best friends, but I just wanted him to go away! So I brushed my blonde hair out of my face and gave him my signature glare. But it only made him smile.

"Good, I knew you were okay. You always bounce back quickly. So you wanna hang out after school?"

"No, not really," I said flatly.

"But you have to come with me to Barnes and Noble! The new Naruto manga book is out. I need to know what happens." He smiled his goofy smile beneath that long black hair. Actually, I don't think I knew what color his eyes were since his hair covered them so well.

"You know, I really don't care about your dork comics," I said.

He chuckled, leaning against the locker next to me and pressed his head against the cool metal. Pulling his lips into a pouty face, he whined, "I don't have anyone to go with. Pleeeease will you go with me?"

"GAH! Fine!" I sighed, waving my hands in the air.

He smiled and knocked the side of my arm with his fist. "I knew it! You never say no! Maybe I'll even buy you your first manga book! I just know you'd love it!" He slid his hands into his pockets.

"No thank you! I will not read that garbage!" I snarled. He was always trying to convince me to read the stuff ever since the first day I met him.

He smiled again. "Well I'll see you in class. I've got to get to Algebra." He backed away with a salute, and then turned and sauntered down the hallway. The kids in the hallway surged around him until he was blocked from view.

I sighed a second time and looked up at the ceiling. Seth had sucked me into his pace again. See, here's the thing about Seth; he didn't have many friends and he was just weird in general. And since he always tried to hang out with me, it only made other kids in the school think I was just as weird as him. It was really hard to make friends this year because of Seth. So it wasn't as though I hated the kid, he was just unnecessary to my life.

"Hey Vanessa," a voice made me jump. Then I was staring at the face of Joey; and he talked to me first!

"Hey," I replied with a slight smile.

"Well see you in English," he called over his shoulder as he walked by. "And you should be getting to class. The bell is going to ring."

"Okay" I replied airily. Then I glanced up at the clock. "Shit! I have to get to History!" So quickly as I could, I raced down the hall.

By sixth hour English, I was ready for the day to be over, but I was also excited to see Joey again. Maybe there was still a chance for me. I walked into class with a smile on my face and scanned the desks until I saw Joey. He was bent over his notebook, writing.

The class was almost full with kids, but thankfully there was a desk open to Joey's right. I walked casually and slammed my books down to catch his attention. He looked up, startled, but I saw the recognition in his eyes.

"Oh, hey Vanessa," he said with a smile. He leaned back from his work and covered it with another notebook.

"What were you writing?" I asked curiously. I sat down in the desk chair tilted towards him.

"Nothing important." His eyes darted away and his face reddened.

I reached out and nudged his arm. "Oh come on. You can tell me." Leaning forward, I looked into his eyes, hoping he would trust me. His eyes widened as he realized I was serious.

Wham! A book whacked into the back of my skull, making my head ram into the edge of Joey's desk. "Ow!" I cried, snapping straight up while clutching me head. I whirled around and glared at Seth at my right.

He chuckled as he set his stuff down on the empty desk. "Sorry Vanessa, my book slipped." He waved the book at me in a taunt before plopping down in his chair, still laughing.

"I'm going to kill you!" I cried, shaking my fist at him.

"I'd like to see you try!" Seth chortled.

"Whatever. I'm ignoring you." I turned back to Joey and rubbed the back of my head. "Sorry about that."

He was smiling in amusement. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," I said looking at the floor.

"You two are pretty funny. You must have been friends for a long time." He leaned his head against his arm resting on the desk.

"Seth? Hell no." I glanced back at Seth; he was doodling happily like he did every day, completely oblivious to our conversation about him. I turned back, leaned forward, and lowered my voice. "He's just annoying, really. And I'm not even his friend; he decided that all on his own. I can't count how many times I wanted to punch his face in."

Joey chuckled. "Well, whatever works for you," he said with a smile, his face wrinkling with laugh lines.

My heart fluttered in my chest as I looked at him looking at me. Joey made me feel special, like I was the only girl in the world. This feeling was the exact way I imagined love to feel like.

"So," Joey began, "did you want to hang out after school?"

I was so happy I could've died right there. But unfortunately, I forced myself to say, "Sorry, but I promised Seth that I would go with him to Barnes and Noble."

Joey's grin dropped into a slight, amused smile. "You're not friends, huh?"

I laughed. "Well, he gave me those damn puppy eyes! But you know what? You could come with. It would be fun I promise."

He nodded, "Okay, sounds good."

After school, Seth appeared by my side almost automatically. It was kind of creepy how he knew where I was almost all the time. He leaned against the lockers as I put my books away and he tussled his shoulder-length hair.

"So, are you ready to go? Are you ready to have your world rocked by the best reading experience of your life?" he asked excitedly.

"Yeah," I said, "We just have to wait for Joey by the front."

Seth's hand froze in his hair. "What?"

"I said that we need to-"

"I heard you!" he snarled. "I just don't remember inviting that guy." He crossed his arms stubbornly and turned himself slightly away from me.

"Oh, come on. He asked me to hang out but I was already going with you, so I had to invite him along."

"Sorry for ruining your fun," he mumbled, turning his head away.

God, Seth really knew how to make a girl feel bad. I wondered what he was thinking but he was so hard to read. Besides, even if he was facing me, I can't see half his face with all that hair.

"Whatever," I mumbled back, slamming my locker shut.

In awkward silence, I walked with Seth through the bustling halls. The tension was ridiculous! I can hang out with whoever I want. It's not like Seth could control me. So I smiled and said hi to a couple of my classmates while Seth only brooded quietly. Passing through the school front doors, we were met with the bright sunshine, warming my face. I glanced up at Seth; his lips were set in a hard line. I guess I needed to lighten the mood if I were to have this outing go smoothly.

"How did you get so freakishly tall?" I asked.

His face erupted into a smile. "I'm only a few inches taller than you, idiot!" He raised a hand to my head and measured it in comparison to himself. I came up to his eyes.

"You're still freakishly tall!" I joked as I slapped his stomach.

"Now you're gonna get it!" He hollered, pouncing at me. I screamed dodging out of the way.

"Come back here," he called, chasing after me when I took a run for it. I ran through a crowd of kids, pushed my way to the other side, and looked around. I couldn't see Seth over any of the heads around me. Maybe I lost him?

"Found you!" his voice roared behind me and I was left screaming as he tackled me into the grass. We laid there in the grass, laughing. I reached over and mussed his black, shaggy hair; swatting my hand away, he sat up as he gave me jumper cables right below my ribs.

"No, stop!" I giggled. I looked up when a shadow drifted over my face. Joey.

I immediately stood up, straightened my shirt, and glanced down at the confused Seth. His smile turned cold. Great. He was pissed again.

Seth stood up as I turned back to Joey. "Hey," I said breathlessly. I tucked a loose section of blonde hair behind my ears.

"Hey," he smiled, "looks like you guys are having fun."

"No we weren't," I said automatically. And I immediately felt guilty, feeling Seth's gaze on my back, but I didn't look at him. I already knew that his scowl had grown. "Should we go then?"

Joey nodded and gestured to the parking lot, "Yeah. We can take my car."

"Okay!" I looked back at Seth and gave him glare for being such a little kid about the whole situation.

We ventured through the parking lot and I had to wonder what kind of car Joey would have. Most of the cars at Jackson High School weren't exactly glamorous. In fact, I didn't even have a car! I usually walked with Seth…

"Here we are," Joey said with full pride when we reached a shiny, black convertible. His keys jingled when he withdrew them from his pocket.

"O wow," I said. "This car is amazing!" I ran my hand down the side and wished I had such a pretty car.

"Jump in, guys!" Joey called as he opened the driver's door. With Seth stalking behind me, I walked around to the other side.

"Who would have guessed that the preppy guy would have such a preppy car?" I heard Seth mumble. But I ignored him; I couldn't figure out why he was being so negative about this. Usually we had to walk almost a mile to get to Barnes and Noble. He should be happy we are getting a ride!

The ride to Barnes and Noble was too short; I wanted to sit by Joey as long as I could, but I guess that excitement was over. I opened the door to get out but saw Seth just jump over the side of the car, landing gracefully. I smiled; his every move was a statement that he didn't follow the rules. Realizing that I was staring, I got out quickly and followed the boys into the store.

Seth, as usual, made a beeline for the manga section. I turned to Joey. "So is there anything you want to look at?"

He shook his head. "I don't like reading."

I smiled. He totally came here for my benefit and I loved it. "Okay, wanna go the teen section with me?"

"Alright," he said.

After ten minutes of browsing and small talk, I heard Joey clear his throat above me. I was squatting down by the bottom shelf to look at a book I've been waiting for. "So what is your relationship with that Seth guy? I mean for real."

I just stared. I thought I had made that clear before, but I guess Joey needed reassurance. Does that mean Joey was interested in me? I smiled. "I have absolutely no relationship with him. I thought I told you that."

His face was scrunched up in confusion. "But what was that after school then?"

I chuckled, pulling the book from the shelf and stood up to face him. "It's like babysitting. He follows me around and I just play with him a little to make him happy. We're not even friends. I honestly wish he would just leave me alone."

"Then why don't you tell him that?"

I shrugged, "he would make it into a big deal. It would be annoying."

Joey smiled. "Well good. I was getting a little nervous that you liked that kid."

I laughed. "There is no way in hell I would Seth."

Joey nodded. "Okay, well I'm going to get coffee over at the Starbucks. Want anything?"

I shook my head. "I'm good." I watched him walk away happily and then turned to look at more books. I rounded a corner to the next aisle and stopped dead. Seth stood there, clutching a bag in his fists. He looked up at me. Oh God, I felt so guilty. Did he hear me say all that?

When he turned and stalked away, I knew he had. "Seth!" I called after him. He only picked up his pace. I dropped my book, followed him out the door into the parking lot and grabbed his arm. "Seth, wait."

He yanked his arm out of my grip and took a few steps away from me. "Sorry I'm such a nuisance," he snarled. I could hear the hurt lacing his voice.

"Seth, I never meant to-"

He raised a hand roughly to stop my words. "Save it. I don't want to hear it. And don't worry," he said taking a few more steps back, "I won't bother you anymore."

"Seth, come on!" I called after him.

He stopped abruptly and turned back towards me. "Here," he said roughly, digging through his Barnes and Noble bag and pulled out a book. He threw it at me and it landed at my feet. Then he turned on his heel, and stalked off.

I stared at the book at my feet before picking it up. It had landed in the dirt, so it was dust covered. Turning it over, I felt my eyes sting with tears. It was the manga book he had promised to buy me.

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Hey! Thank you for reading my story and I hope you enjoyed it so far! I absolutely loved writing this beginning. Poor Seth! Please review! I would love to hear from you! Thanks!