"What do you mean you can't let me in?" an upset voice cried.

"I'm sorry, miss, but I can't let you in unless you're in an early bird class. Not until regular classes begin," replied a different, calmer voice.

"But you can't-" was all that was said before the school door was shut in the seventeen-year-old's face, cutting her off in mid-sentence.

Leaning against the school door, the girl sighed. It was an hour and fifteen minutes before school started, and it wasn't exactly the warmest spring day. Earlier that morning, it had poured for a short time, leaving the ground wet, the air damp, and the wind gusty.

Thick red spirals of hair flowed to the small of the young woman's back, several of them draping over both shoulders, much like a shawl. She was fair-skinned, making the dark green peasant top adorning her torso quite becoming. From her waist hung a pair of long navy blue jeans. They flared out at the bottoms, and had been cuffed, just enough to show the toes of her mocha-colored boots.

A pair of sea foam green eyes glanced around before they closed as the girl let out another sigh, revealing a touch of forest green eye shadow dusted over each eyelid. Mascara was applied scarcely, darkening the girl's lashes just slightly. Several freckles danced across her nose, no attempt to hide them with makeup. And lastly, a coat of clear lip gloss emphasized her full lips.

She buried her face in her hands and let out a muffled scream. Frustrated, angry, and tired, she began banging on the door again.

"God damnit! All I want is to get in there and get a new schedule, because I lost mine and…" she trailed off, "I swear, if someone doesn't let me in, I'll-"

"You'll what, Gorgeous?" said a rather cocky sounding young man as he opened the door. His build was normal, healthy. Thick, brown hair hit the boy's shoulders, while expressive, hazel eyes searched Paisley's face for some kind of reaction. A smile played on his lips as he waited for her to speak.

"Gorgeous? Where do you come off... Wait, how did you get in? Who are you?"

"My, my, so many questions. Well, to answer your first question, gorgeous is like, attractive, pretty, you know?" He smirked, "And, well, I told Mrs. Saunders, the woman I assume you talked to earlier, that I had an early bird class…"

She decided to ignore the smartass answer he'd given to her first question. "But… you don't," replied Paisley, half questioningly, half knowingly.

He chuckled, "You learn quick, Doll."

"And you are?" she repeated.

"Ah, right… Why don't you enlighten me first? What might your name be?"

Paisley sighed, incredibly annoyed, "It's Paisley… Paisley O'Brien," she said, reaching out her hand.

He grinned as he took her hand in his and brushed it lightly with his lips, "The pleasure is all mine, Miss Paisley."

She quickly pulled her hand from his, not sure at this point whether she wanted to slap him or blush. She decided she wanted to do both, but wouldn't give him the satisfaction of doing either. "Your name," she demanded firmly.

"Of course, of course… Noah Andrews at your service."