Edit: (July 2, 2012) Hey guys:) I've gone through and edited this. I've changed dialog and some parts completely. I combined this chapter and chapter 2, so it's much longer (and essentially better). I'll be taking out Avery's POV and adding them on at the end as bonus material. For new readers, thanks for reading and I hope this is much better now that I've had good criticism to edit:) Thanks to everyone who has reviewed.
Chapter 1
Tripping is so fun. Sarcasm is true. People are nice. Not.
I tripped over a boot, throwing my books so I could use my hands to catch myself. A sharp pain shot up my wrist as I landed and I gave a small cry. Damn boot. I hate that boot, and the person it belongs to. I whipped around.
"Hey!" I yelled at the boot's owner.
A boy lazed back, sitting on a chair outside the principals office. He started down at me with a bored expression. I had a feeling I'd seem him before, but I didn't remember.
"Your giant ass foott tripped me." I glared at him. My wrist started to swell.
A slow smile spread over his face. I noticed that he was actually very handsome. He had dark hair that curled slightly and fell just past his ears. He had dark golden eyes surrounded my dark lashes. He had nice plush looking lips and a devious smile. I could tell he was tall even though he was sitting down. The chair almost seemed too small for him.
"I'm sorry my giant ass foot tripped you. Maybe you should lift your short ass legs over them next time." He laughed, mocking me.
"Jackass," I spit out with vehemence.
I stood up, turning away from the guy. I looked down at my swollen wrist. I touched it and hissed in pain. I noticed that the hallways was emptying and almost everybody had gone to class.
"Something the matter?" He asked and I turned around. He was smirking.
"There are people like you in the world—that's a problem," I told him snottily. He grin just got bigger.
I turned around and went to pick up my books.
"Hey, what's your name?" He asked. I ignored him, trying not to cry every time I moved my left hand. "Are you a freshman?" He asked and I bristled.
A freshman? Goddammit, I was a junior. Although it wasn't the first time I'd been mistaken for a freshman, it still pissed me off. And then I already hated the kid, so it just pissed me off even more.
The principal's door opened and he came out. Mr. Stoker looked at me, alone in an empty hallway with the kid who was probably about to get into trouble.
"Mr. Hudson, in my office." Mr. Stoker jerked him head towards his large desk.
Wait, what? As in Avery Hudson? I whipped around to see the boy walking into the office, winking at me. A furious blush crept onto my cheeks as I turned back around.
"Miss Lane, do you have a pass to be out of class?" Mr. Stoker asked me, shutting the door behind Avery and his prissy, winking face.
"No, sir, sorry. I tripped." I told him nervously. I didn't like getting into trouble.
"Get to class." He told me sternly.
"Yes, sir." I whipped around and fast walked to my class.
I could not believe that I had just got pissy with Avery Hudson. A sick feeling twisted my stomach every time I thought of our 'conversation.' I might have pissed him off with my attitude. I shook my head, trying to get rid of those thoughts. Maybe he wouldn't remember me.
Avery Hudson was the resident bad ass. The rumors were either about the latest beating he had given or how good he was in bed. The couple of rumors I'd heard about him were about how he'd beaten this kid up for talking about him, or a new girl who had a broken heart over his smirking face. Small things could piss him off and send him into a fight. I was a small thing.
I walked in late.
"Jayda, do you have a pass?" Mrs. Jacks asked when I interrupted her class.
"No, ma'am, I'm sorry. I tripped." I told her, heading to my sit in the middle of the classroom.
Someone snorted and I looked up to see the preppy Kortney McCartin smirking at me. She sat behind me and as I sat in my seat, I heard her whisper, "Did baby fall down and get a bruise? Does someone need to kiss baby Jay's booboo?" Her friends snickered. I ignored them.
I understood why people were always making fun of me. I stopped growing in sixth grade. Literally. My doctor was appalled that, after three years, I hadn't gained more than five pounds and I was barely 5'. My face was round and small. It didn't help that my boobs were non existent. Even though I understood why they made fun of me, I didn't like being made fun of.
"At least I'll always look young. When you're thirty, your skin will be so damaged from tanning that you could maybe pass for a fifty year old," I hissed back.
Kortney kicked my chair and I slid forward a foot. I hated being so light sometimes. The entire class erupted into giggles. My face burned.
"Miss Lane, do we have a problem?" Mrs. Jacks asked, her eyebrows shooting up.
"No, ma'am," I said, gritting my teeth.
Lunch isn't fun for people with no friends. I had a couple, but they usually had other people to sit with. I didn't have a group, or whatever their called. I usually sit down wherever I could find a seat. It took me only a few seconds to locate a seat. It was in the back with all the jocks and assholes. I sighed. A seat was a seat, though.
I put my lunch tray down gently. Nobody noticed me and I let out a breath that I didn't know I had been holding. I sat down, pulling the chair out with a small squeak. Still no glances. I sat down and started to eat.
"Hey, move," I heard a familiar voice demand. I tensed and looked around to see Avery Hudson pulling the boy next to me out of his seat.
"Hey!" He complained.
Avery just glared at him until he left. Avery then sat down next to me. I was staring at him wide-eyed and my mouth was open. My heart was racing.
"Hey, shorty," he smiled at me.
"Gigantor." I said with a nod. I then looked up at him horrified. What the fuck? Where had that come from?
Luckily, Avery just laughed. His golden eyes looked me up and down. He licked his lips.
"You know, I never learned your name." He said.
"I never told you my name." I told him stubbornly.
Oh, Jesus. I'm am going to get myself killed.
"I'd like to learn it." Avery smiled at me.
Ohmygod, ohmygod. He gave me this puppy dog like smile. My heart melted. I wondered how boys could do that.
"Jayda—that's a pretty name." Avery said.
I snapped out of it. Crap. I had told him my name.
"I prefer to be called Jay." I told him. I don't know why, but I did. Avery scared me, but it was just rumors. I was trying not to be scared of a boy I'd only knew from rumors. I wasn't like that.
"Jay." He said with a smile. "I'm Avery Hudson."
He shoved his hand out and I took it in a shake. As soon as I touched his hand, my hand turned into flames. They were hot, but it didn't burn. I frowned down at our hands. Avery let go quickly. I shot him a look out of the corner of my eye, but he started eating his lunch.
I eyed his lunch. He had to have at least three different meals and he wolfed down each one quickly. I took a careful bite of my small sandwich. I'd finished the last of the lunch meat and lettuce for my sandwich, and it was still barely enough to cover my entire sandwich. I picked up my sandwich and Avery noticed my white bandage trying to cover my bulging wrist. His golden eyes widened very slightly as the wheels turned and he realized I'd done that when I tripped.
"Does that hurt?" Avery asked, his voice becoming deep and mellow, calming me down instantly.
I put down my sandwich and he gingerly took my arm and studied my swollen wrist.
"It's fine," I lied through my teeth. Just having Avery gingerly touching it made me want to scream and cradle my wrist to my chest.
Avery poked it. Hard.
"Motherfucker!" I screamed under my breath, trying to pull my arm from Avery without hurting it. "Let me go!" I raised my voice.
"Is there a problem over here, Mr. Hudson?" A lunch monitor had appeared over our shoulders. Everyone was watching us.
"I think her wrist is broken." Avery said, not letting go of my aching wrist.
"I'm fine." I insisted. "He just won't let me go!" I said, motioning to Avery with my free arm.
"You're not fine." Avery said flatly. "Could I take her to the nurse?"
"Mr. Hudson, it looks to me like she has already been to the nurse and she doesn't want you to touch her. Release her." The teacher told him with finality. Avery let go of my wrist reluctantly. "I suggest you find a new seat." The teacher told me, walking away.
I quickly followed his advice, standing up and grabbing my lunch with my good hand. People were still looking at us. Hushed whispers could be heard throughout the large cafeteria.
"This isn't over." Avery glowered at me.
Crap. I got him into trouble and now he was pissed off at me. Great. Right then, though, I got my ass out of there. I was so grateful for the sound of the bell. People gathered up around me and although I knew Avery couldn't see me, I could still feel his eyes on the back of my head.
"Jay!" My friend Jon called out. "Wait for me!" He yelled, causing people to look at him. He didn't mind, though.
I was walking towards my bus when he yelled for me. I stopped and waited, turning around to watch him jog over to me. His chubby cheeks were flushed and he was breathing harshly, his asthma probably acting up. He brought out his inhaler and took a deep breath.
"You okay, Jon?" I asked with worry.
Jon wasn't the skinniest person and running with asthma already sucks, so I was always worried about him. Even though he was chubby, he was still quite popular. He was funny and had a great smile that attracted people.
"I'm fine," he said, brushing back his brown hair from his slightly sweaty forehead.
"What do you need?" I asked and we started walking toward our bus.
"I just heard a strange rumor about you and Avery—" Jon didn't get to finish.
I ran into a wall and bounced backwards. A muscled arm shot out and steadied me.
"Whoa," Avery said, "sorry, didn't mean to knock you over."
I glared up at Avery, who was smiling down at me.
"What," I asked coldly, "do you want?"
"I'm taking you to the hospital." Avery told me.
"Uh, no?" I looked Avery with angry confusion. "Who the hell do you think you are? Just leave me alone." I told him, walking around him.
Avery grabbed my good arm and it caused me to drop my books. Jon just stared at us without saying a word, his eyes as big as saucers. I just glared at Avery as I reached down to gather my books. Avery kicked one away from my reach.
"Whoops," he said, running over to where he kicked it. He picked it up and held it above his head.
"Give it back!" I almost yelled at him. This guy just pissed me off. He made my blood boil and I could feel my face heat up in anger.
"No can do." Avery shook his head sadly.
"Um," Jon decided to speak up then. My heart swelled in hope that he might say something to help me. "Our bus is leaving, so I'm going to get on it." My heart deflated. Jon rushed to catch up to our slowly moving bus.
I knew that there was no way I could catch up to it. I was stranded. I looked around to see Avery still holding my book. This was his fault. I don't think I'd ever had someone make me this angry.
"What is your problem?" I asked him with hatred seeping into my voice.
"You're wrist is hurt," he said with a nod towards my wrist.
"That's your problem how?" I continued to glare at him, probably looking like a hateful eleven year old.
Avery looked at me strangely. He opened his mouth, then closed it. He almost looked like he was strangling himself, his golden eyes slightly bulged and his tongue rolled back into his mouth. If I wasn't so angry, I would've been worried.
"It's not your problem, so leave me alone." I walked over to him and tried to grab my book. He still wouldn't let go. I looked around and saw that the bus area was completely empty.
"I caused you to miss your bus," Avery said finally. "That's my problem. I'll take you home if you really don't want to go to the hospital." Avery gave me a glare.
I just stared at him for a second. I could see my hazel eyes reflected in his golden ones. Should I trust this guy? He might take me to the hospital, which is the total opposite way of my house and I would have a longer walk home. I refused to go to the hospital. My dad couldn't afford it. My wrist was probably fine anyway. The school nurse just doesn't know about sprains.
"You promise you won't take me to the hospital?" I finally said and Avery gave me a successful smirk.
I didn't understand him. He barely knew me so I had no idea why he was so concerned for me. I mean, I guess if I tripped someone and they broke a leg, I would feel like it was my fault, so maybe Avery was just taking responsibility. But that didn't explain why he sat down next to me at lunch. I just frowned at him.
"I promise," Avery said, still smirking, taking the rest of my books out of my arms.
Avery Hudson was carrying my books?
With his free arm, he put it around my shoulders and steered me toward the student parking lot. He was talking about something but I just stayed silent and ignored him. He finally got to his car, a new red sports car that was surrounded by a group of boys.
They were all goofing off, pushing and shoving, telling jokes and laughing. They were all around the same height as Avery, which was well over a foot taller than me. When Avery was noticed, their faces lit up and they crowded around him. It was odd. When they came up to greet him, they all gave him a peck on the cheek and a headbutt. I just looked at them strangely. To each their own, I guess.
There was only one boy who Avery kissed first, which was odd. The male was his height and looked at me warmly. He patted Avery on the back and whispered something in his ear. Avery nodded and smiled.
Every boy except the one Avery kissed shot me a look of curiosity, which I mostly ignored. When everyone had received a kiss, Avery pulled me over to his car and opened the door for me.
"Here you go," Avery said, trying to help me into his car until I shot him a glare.
Once I was seated, Avery shut my door. I buckled and noticed my feet didn't reach the floor. I sighed and Avery got in on the other side. He put my books on the center console for me. I wanted to give him a confused look but I didn't. I had no idea why he was being so nice and attentive to me. I looked up to see the boys dispersing, still shooting me a look.
Avery didn't buckle and he started the car. It didn't make any loud sounds like I thought it would have. Instead, it quietly hummed as Avery backed out of the parking space. The car was quiet. Hell, the entire town was quiet. Herrick town was a small town where the houses where nestled into woods and a small city with shopping and whatever else we needed was outside the woods. It was a small and quaint town and the perfect place to go for a new start. It was silent in the car until Avery pulled out of the parking lot.
"So," Avery started, "where do you live?"
"1364 Abraham Street." I told him. "Do you know where that is?"
"Kind of." Avery was quiet for a moment before he said, "So, are you a freshman?"
I turned to look at him. I noticed that his nose was long and straight, and he had a perfect profile to go along with his perfect muscles and perfect height and perfect body type. Did his parents feed him perfect juice as a kid or what?
"No," I replied. "I'm a junior."
I saw Avery's eyebrows shoot up but I ignored them.
"Really? Are you a new student?" He asked, clearly unbelieving that he hadn't seen me before.
"No, I've lived here for three years." I told him, deciding to answer his questions.
"Where did you move from?" He asked.
"A county about five hours away from here."
"Did your parents get a job offer or something?" Avery asked, turning into one of the many streets that led to mine.
"No," I said, not offering anything else, and Avery didn't push it, seeing that I didn't want to talk about it.
After an uncomfortable five minutes of silence, Avery began talking again.
"I'm surprised that the bus driver knows where your house is."
"He doesn't. I have to walk about half a mile every morning to the closest bus stop."
Avery frowned. "How far back do you live?"
"I live down a private road way back into the woods." I said.
"Why the hell did your parents choose that house?" Avery asked with confusion.
I turned to look back at the road sourly. Almost all of the houses in our town were millions of dollars. The house my father bought was tiny, a two bedroom one story house with only one bathroom. It was meant to be for some rich persons live-in maid or butler, but it was built so far back they sold it. And even though it cost my father nearly a hundred thousand dollars, it was still a fixer upper. I was slightly embarrassed of my house when surrounded by large four story mansions that people called home.
I didn't answer Avery and he, again, didn't push it. When he finally turned down Abraham, I was so happy I smiled.
We were getting closer and closer to the private road that led to my house. I waited until Avery was ten feet away before I said, "Right here is fine."
Avery slowed down and saw the road.
"No, I'll take you the entire way." He said stubbornly.
"No," I said just as stubbornly, "I want to get out now." I unbuckled my seat belt.
Avery ignored me and turned down my driveway. Jackass, I thought bitterly. Avery drove slowly for a couple of minutes before coming upon my house. Although it was small, it had a good charm. It was built with rocks and wood, so it matched nicely with the woods, and it had the cute quaint feel of the rest of the town. And of course my dad's old beat up car was in the gravel drive way.
"Can you drive?" Avery asked, parking the car and unbuckling.
"Yes," I told him, getting out of the car.
I reached over to take my books but Avery quickly grabbed them. He then got out of the car.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
Avery ignored me and said, "Then why can't you drive that car?"
I looked at him with disbelief.
"And this is any of your business because?" I asked, because Avery was pissing me off.
"Because," Avery said, scowling at me from over the car, "you're mine."
Thanks for reading:)