1Chapter 1. Three Words.
It started with three words.
"Hi. Derek Brewer."
That was the moment my life started plummeting headfirst into chaos.
Breathe, I said to myself.
A hushed silence fell around the class. Every student within a five meter radius had looked up and was unabashedly watching us. It was indeed odd for a person from the popular clique to acknowledge let alone start a conversation with someone below their status.
The light brown eyes that stared me down held genuine interest. It was so incongruous to my dark brown orbs that probably looked back at him with a mixture of doubt and amazement. His hands were rough but the firm handshake affirmed the confidence most jocks sported. It was the least I had expected from the captain of the basketball team. He smirked in amusement as I snatched my hands away and hastily began arranging the papers scattered on the table.
Breathe.
I had watched every game of his. Good-looking would be the most banal way of describing him. It barely did him justice. His jet black hair was spiked in an almost casual manner. It was hard to write it off as casual when it looked so perfect. He looked just as stunning standing in a dull old classroom as he did standing underneath the floodlights on the basketball court.
"Peyton Harris", I mumbled shifting my chair away from him as he dropped his textbooks on the table. His smile seemed to grow at my discomfort. I've seen students stutter and spurt in his presence. He wasn't very intimidating. On the contrary he was very approachable. You simply did not want to make a fool of yourself in front of him.
"Aylin's friend", he said with a nod. For a jock who seemed to live high up on the social pyramid, he did know the little people.
"Yeah", I said shortly.
Breathe. It was such a simple, unconscious action. And yet I was feeling lightheaded due to the sudden lack of oxygen in the room.
"She spends lunch with you bunch."
"Yes."
"Not much of a talker?"
"No."
"I'll get you talking soon enough." He flashed his notorious grin at me. He made himself comfortable on the chair before turning towards me.
"So you're one of the silent types?" I could hear the amusement in his voice as he watched me closely.
"Probably."
"Well you know what they say about quiet people…" He trailed off inching closer to me. I held my breath waiting for him to finish. He was so close, I was sure he could hear my heart pounding loudly at our proximity. From the corner of my eye, I saw his mouth curve into a smile as he finished playfully, "They're wild in bed."
I sucked in a large gulp of air. And that did the trick. Somewhere deep down it had struck a nerve. The thought that I needed to get a grip had finally registered in my head. I could feel a frown taking shape as I turned to face him, my posture reflecting my defensive state of mind.
"I'm glad." I said, letting out a strained laugh. "While you're gleefully picking up girls and probably every STD in the planet I'm glad you're taking notes. Lady in the street, a fox in bed. You must know all about it."
"Well actually no, I don't." Derek laughed moving back to rest casually on his chair. "But look at the progress we're making. We have officially moved past the one word replies."
"Great." I said sarcastically gritting my teeth.
"Besides the girls I gleefully pick up are all flamboyant and have no inhibitions whatsoever, on the street or in bed. And also I thought you should know that I'm a stickler for safe sex."
I could feel my face heat up at his revelation. Discussing Derek Brewer's sex life wasn't exactly my idea of idle conversation. I uncapped my pen in an attempt to look busy only to find it was dry. No amount of scribbling could get it to work.
"Here, I have an extra." He said placing a pen beside my hand. I noticed he'd lightly graced my hand with his, almost as if to provoke a reaction. However, when I looked up his face was blank.
"Careful, don't you have a reputation to uphold?" I asked sardonically.
"Hey now", he laughed, "I am-"
"Conceited?" I cut in. "Arrogant? Bigheaded? I could go on."
"I was going for 'a nice guy' but if that's the way you feel." He leaned in closer and his voice was deep as he said, "I'd have to change your mind."
It was a sure fact that he was playing me. To be charming was ingrained into his character. Derrick Brewer almost exclusively dated girls who looked as if they had stepped out of Vogue. Being blonde in the literal and metaphorical sense was a huge criterion for dating him.
Though I have been described as classy, smart even pretty a couple of times, I had the good sense to know that I didn't qualify as his type. For starters I happened to use my head and I happened to be a brunette. My hair had a mind of its own. On the days it decides to cooperate it falls nice and straight till my shoulders. Today was not one of those days. My face was narrow and it seemed proportionate enough to my thin frame. While I wasn't a walking disaster I was miles away from being a superstar. This isn't cynicism, just plain harsh facts.
"Or you could leave me alone." I said pushing his pen towards him. He picked it up with a shrug and twirled it around. There was five seconds of silence before he placed the pen on the table again.
"Peyton Harris", he said sardonically glancing at the notes that lay in front of me. "Let me guess. Grade A student, applied to all the Ivy League colleges, you read for pleasure, loner, probably a friend or two. How does it feel to be acknowledged?"
Fair enough. I couldn't blame him for his caustic retort. I'm going to pin it down as my defense mechanism but I had been the one to attack him with snide remarks first. While I didn't have the typical appearance of a nerd, I did get good grades. So that was one assumption he had nailed. Although I was pretty sure by now that if I checked Derrick's grades he would be a star student.
"Delightful!" I replied ruffling through my notes, pointedly ignoring him. He seemed surprised by my curt dismissal. I was hoping if I stayed quiet he'd get bored of his incessant monologue and shift his focus on someone else who cared. There were so many others who would kill to have him glance in their direction. There were a bunch of girls giggling loudly, openly ogling at him. As for Derrick, he had turned completely to look at me. I was the focus of his undivided attention. I looked expectantly at the door. It was the first class of the senior year and the teacher was fashionably late.
"Never seen the inside of a basketball court", he deduced smugly.
"Actually, seen every game."
"Really?" He said surprised "Grade A nerd watching a game. Now that's just absurd."
"Not so much as a jock taking an A.P. Physics class." I smiled pushing my notes aside. "You don't see me complaining."
Derek laughed aloud causing everyone to glance curiously at me. He shook his head, a smile grazing his lips, "To hell with stereotypes."
"To hell with stereotypes." I repeated.
"You should join me for lunch today. I could introduce you to the gang." He offered seriously looking directly into my eyes, daring me to turn him down.
"Why don't you just take a gun and shoot me instead. I can think of at least fifty less painful ways of killing someone." I deadpanned.
He looked surprised for a moment before an amused smile played across his lips.
"That was a one way ticket to popularity." He said smugly "You shouldn't let an opportunity like this pass by."
"Thanks but I'd rather hold on to my sanity."
"You know." He paused as if testing the word. "We could use some fresh blood. Conversations are growing old at our table."
"Between my clothes, un-straightened hair and the fact that I use my brain, those cheerleaders would eat me whole!"
"They might surprise you if you give them a chance. Don't come crying to me when you have second thoughts." His tone was offhanded and yet his expression said otherwise.
Mr. Howard decided to make an appearance at that very moment. There was a groan as students scampered back to their seats. The teacher's voice was drowned out as everyone pulled their chairs, adjusted their tables and rearranged their notes. It almost looked as if Derrick had had the last say. Almost.
"Well cravings recede eventually. How long before the euphoria dies down and you feel cornered? Smothered by the constant stares and the never ending gossip?" Derrick was staring down at the table in silence. In an attempt to lighten the mood, I added "Being popular has its price. Not to worry. Whenever you need a reality check I'll be right here. It would be my pleasure to haul you unceremoniously back."
Derrick seemed to have snapped out of his grave mood as he chuckled and said, "Eventually you learn not to give a shit. But you are definitely going to regret making that offer."
I'd meant it as a joke but he'd managed to turn it around. What had I gotten myself into? So much for an uneventful final year! I shook my head as if to clear all thoughts of the boy out of my head.
"Everyone turn to chapter one", the teacher droned. Nothing had ever seemed more welcoming.
"You are the talk of the town", Nicole Hayes said before taking a large bite of her apple. Her large bluish grey eyes were focused on me. Her dirty blonde hair curled up mischievously around her head. No matter how long she grew it, her hair never straightened out.
I ignored her, choosing to pick at the pasta on my plate instead. She didn't press for details. Nicole had been my best friend ever since I'd moved in to the house opposite hers ten years ago. Since both my parents worked late, she practically lived at my place under the pretence of keeping me company. I knew she just needed time off from her overprotective parents. Being their only child, her parents made it a point to pick apart every minute of her life.
Nicole wasn't very intelligent but she had a way with people. It was either the way she spoke or the tremendous conviction with which she laid out her bullshit but she could sell you anything. It had taken me years to sift through the lies but we've reached a point in our friendship where we understood each other perfectly.
"I heard all about it too on my way to English." Shae Watson added taking a seat opposite to me. "Come on Pete. Give us the details."
There was nothing special about Shae. She had mousy brown hair that she had pulled back into a bun. Her big brown eyes twinkled as she beamed down at Nicole and me. Shae would have gone unnoticed if Nicole's boyfriend, Vincent hadn't known her older brother. In a way Nicole had been Shae's saving grace, putting her on the radar and introducing her to our very inconspicuous gang. She had a good memory and she could recite paragraphs from books without a second glance. She always aced her all her classes. However, when it came down to thinking outside her books and applying herself, she was completely lost.
"We just talked…" I trailed off knowing well that the suspense was killing the both of them.
"Are you going to make us beg for it?" Nicole laughed, "It would be just like you to do that."
She knew me well. I had thought of dragging it out a while longer. The two looked at me curiously and I caved. I narrated the entire conversation ending the story with how Derrick had left me. He had followed me out of the class and disappeared into the crowd with a quick 'catch you later'. When I'd finished Shae's eyes were bright. She looked ready to prance happily around the cafeteria.
"This is how it starts. Before you know it you'd be dating!" She exclaimed slamming her hand on the table so hard her juice carton almost fell over.
"Are you mad? This is Derrick Brewer we're talking about. He's well…" I couldn't find the right word to define him.
"Hot?" Nicole pitched in.
"Star basketball player?"
"Good looking? Charming?"
"How about -way out of my league?" I sighed jabbing at my plate again with the fork. The two of them perked up for an argument.
A voice beat them to it, "Where's your confidence woman?"
I turned around to see Aylin Hamilton smirk down at me. She was the final member of our little group. I felt my face go red when I noticed Jake Virden stand beside her. He was also a basketball player and one of Derrick's friends. I wondered how much of the conversation they'd heard.
"Who are we talking about again?" Aylin chirped placing her tray on the table and I sighed in relief. Aylin didn't wait for an answer but turned back to face Jake. He pulled her away from the table and the two were lost in conversation.
With her thin athletic frame and short hair, Aylin was the definition of a tomboy. She was the life of the group and the reason we got invited to most parties. She knew everybody and everybody loved her. One day she'd walked over and sat down at our table without any explanation or reason. It was easy making conversation with Aylin and soon she was part of the group. Just like that.
"They are so cute together!" Shae whispered. "Wish they'd just come to their senses and go out!"
"Virden's in fine form." Nicole stated shamelessly checking him out.
"You have a boyfriend", I whispered pointedly but even I couldn't deny he looked good.
"Do you see him around?" Nicole deadpanned, "I like to make good use of my freedom. And right now that piece of eye candy is my respite."
I followed her eyes. Jake Virden was blessed with amazing genes. No one called him Jake, preferring to use his last name instead. He had it all the money, the looks, the brains and the charms which he put to good use. To top it all, he was a really nice guy. He was living proof of the fact that there was indeed no justice in the universe. It was probably his nice attitude that pushed him a step below Derrick in terms of popularity. Sometimes you need to be an ass to make it to the top. If you make people feel like dirt they'd be bending over backwards to impress you.
"He is so damn cute. That boy is a walking heart malfunction." Shae sighed dreamily. "Look at that hair."
"He does have good hair." I agreed. He had the softest curls that fell elegantly in place. Very few people could pull it off and he did it with ease. The most striking feature about him though was his eyes. They were a brilliant shade of grey and from experience I knew that it was incredibly hard to look away from them.
Virden caught us looking at him and smiled. He lightly pushed Aylin towards us with a laugh.
"Ladies" he nodded, the smile still in place and left.
"Why aren't you two dating again?" Nicole quipped as Aylin sat down beside me.
"Because we grew up together and it would feel wrong." Aylin said offhandedly "By the way you were all quite loud. Thanks for fanning that bloated ego of his."
"Oh." Shae to her credit looked embarrassed.
Nicole shrugged lazily, "He didn't need us for that."
I watched as Virden joined his friends at their designated table exchanging half hugs and high-fives. Their table by chance or on purpose was positioned at the centre of the cafeteria. They were literally the centre of everybody's attention. Virden sat down beside Derrick and as if on cue they glanced my way. I quickly looked away as a slow grin formed on Derrick's face. When I looked back he nodded at me causing the girl sitting opposite to him to turn around.
Talia George I realized with dread. She was the queen of our little high school and the picture perfect match for Derrick. They had dated ages ago and the two of them had moved on to other people. But they always had a way of getting back together. It didn't take a lot of imagination to know why every guy wanted to get in her pants. She had the perfect waist, the perfect legs, the perfect tan and a pretty face. Talia was very possessive of Derrick, sometimes to the extent of being psychotic. She wasn't very pleasant to begin with and made it a point to be extra bitchy to any girl who was mildly interested in him.
The look she sent my way was a clear warning. I've been noted and it won't be long before I hear from her.
Aylin giggled beside me, "What's this I hear about you and Derrick?"
I groaned aloud and covered my face with my hands. Shae patted me sympathetically before she filled Aylin in. I listened to her in silence hoping this day would just end.
"Is Virden seeing anyone?"
I looked up at Nicole's question. They'd finally finished dissecting Derrick's ulterior motives of talking to me and moved onto other insignificant topics. Aylin noticed my interest and raised her eyebrow in question before shaking her head.
"I thought Audrey asked him out", Shae asked before taking a bite of her chicken.
"Turned her down" Aylin said, still looking at me. "He was very nice about it though."
"He turned down Audrey?" Shae asked in surprise. "She's quite pretty. And considering she's a gymnast she's flexible and.."
I tuned her out shifting my gaze across the cafeteria to look at Virden. He hadn't dated anyone in a while. Unlike Derrick who seemed to happily make his way through the girls at school, Virden had taken himself out of the playing field. He had been in a serious relationship with a sweet junior called Jenna Hamilton until their dramatic breakup a year ago. They hooked up for a month after that but Virden decided to end on the basis that the relationship wasn't 'going anywhere'. He had randomly dated a couple of girls for a while after.
I looked away as Virden looked back at me, not before I saw the amused smile plastered across his face.
"Older girlfriend or gay" I stated blankly, purposefully looking away from their table. I could feel Virden's stare and forced myself not to look his way.
"Neither", Aylin replied with a smile, "Guess his interests lies elsewhere."
"Derrick or Virden?" Nicole asked coyly glancing around the table.
"Virden. Hands down" Aylin replied instantly.
"Derrick! Hands down." I exclaimed.
"I would have to agree with Peyton", Nicole added with a wink.
"Why isn't Cooper an option?" Shae asked playfully poking her chicken salad.
"He's all yours hun." Nicole said her face reflecting her disapproval.
Shae looked troubled as she pushed aside the tomatoes on her plate. Cooper and her were very good friends. While he couldn't see her as anything more than a friend, Shae had been harbouring a crush on him since the eighth grade.
"He is a nice guy", I stressed on the word nice.
"Yeah. Nice smile." Aylin said with a shrug. Nicole's eyes widened in understanding at the direction the conversation was heading.
"Nice ass. He might just make it to the list of guys I want to sleep with." Nicole pitched in with a wink.
"Shut up!" Shae laughed throwing her straw at Nicole.
"Okay Cooper or Ryan?"
The conversation went on for a while until the hour was up and we had to rush to class. I sighed happily as I walked to P.E. with Aylin. It was a new term. While the day had started off on a strange note, I was glad to know that some things remained unchanged.
"Want a ride home?" Nicole asked finding me beside my locker after school.
I frowned as I dialed in the combination and pulled it open. I hadn't brought my car but I didn't want to keep Nicole away from her boyfriend, Vincent, if they had plans. I could always hitch a ride with Aylin.
"What about Vince?" I asked her
"He was supposed to meet me here", Nicole said looking around.
"Let's wait for him. I haven't seen him all summer." I said as I pulled out the textbooks I needed.
"Nicky." I heard a soft voice call out.
I couldn't help but smile as Nicole cried out in an accusing tone "Vincent Richards!"
I knew exactly what the reason was. Sure enough when I turned around I found Vince sheepishly looking back through narrow bloodshot eyes. Bless the boy! It was first day of school and Vince had already managed to get high on weed. He had grown thinner, I noted. The clothes he wore hung loosely off his body. His face somehow seemed smaller and his eyes were sunken in. His dirty blonde hair was unkempt and looked in dire need of a haircut, reaching all the way down to his hollow cheekbones. In spite of it, Vince still had some charm around him. You automatically felt comfortable in his presence. His grades didn't show it and he was almost always stuck in detention but he was one of the most knowledgeable people I have ever come across. He spends hours reading or sifting patiently through documentaries.
"Harry!" He said moving around Nicole to hug me. Nicole who wasn't taking the cold shoulder very well pulled him back by his shirt. I zoned out as she ranted on, poking Vince once in a while to get him to focus.
He chose to call me Harry, a twist on my surname, as he felt very strongly that I was a sorry excuse for a girl. It was an opinion my mother shared as well. It was a good thing Vince was a pothead and decided to stay clear of parents. The two of them striking up a conversation about me is a positively horrifying thought.
Nicole was still rambling away when Talia and her flunkies turned up beside me. Nicole froze and eyed them curiously. She sent me a questioning look to which I shrugged back in response. Vince who seemed the least flustered about the situation at hand seemed hooked to the glittery bobby pin on Talia's head.
"Hi", she said coolly. Her voice demanded instant attention. She had spoken one word and it oozed arrogance. I could feel the whole corridor turn towards our direction with growing interest.
"Hey." I replied shortly.
"Derrick said he couldn't convince you to join us for lunch. So I thought I would give it a shot." Talia smiled down at me whipping her ash blonde hair back. Her deep green eyes were watching me closely. She was probably failing basic Mathematics but she sure as hell wasn't stupid. At the moment she made me feel like the world would stop turning if I didn't give in. I couldn't shake off the feeling that the bitchslap was right around the corner.
"Derrick is actually a sweetheart." She continued, "He might come off as intimidating and very difficult to understand at first. But he has your best intentions in mind. I do know him quite well."
There it was, hidden somewhere in between the lines. Her tone, however, helped illuminate the threat that she had casually passed.
"Honestly he seemed uncomplicated enough to me." I said with a shrug. Nicole coughed out loudly and she widened her eyes at me. Do you have a death wish, it said.
"Are you calling her stupid?" The flunky on her right remarked aloud.
"Of course not." I laughed. "Are you?"
"I never said that! How dare you? Twisting my words around. Trying to make me look stupid" She seemed exhausted. Apart from the time she selected her prom dress, this was probably the most she had thought about anything. "I didn't say Talia is stu-"
I tried not to laugh in her face as Vince cried out, "Make it stop. I beg you!"
"Shut up Sarah." Talia hissed in annoyance. That put an end to Flunky number one's monologue.
"Listen, I just want to be left alone." I addressed Talia again. "I made that perfectly clear in the morning."
"Apparently not clear enough." Talia snapped. "Derrick is hell bent on getting you to join us."
I sighed inwardly, "And I'm hell bent on staying away. I'm not a threat to you."
"I never considered you a threat." Talia miffed folding her arms. She was on the defensive. I had struck a nerve.
"Right!" I droned sarcastically. "I guess randomly cornering people and striking up conversations with them is a habitual practice for you. Part of your grand scheme to ensure more votes for the Spring Queen Pageant?"
"Please!" She exclaimed audaciously, "I can breeze through that without lifting a finger."
"Possibly." I agreed. "So why do you care that Derrick decided to make conversation with me. He was probably bored."
"Sounds like him." Flunky number two spoke up. She hadn't said a word throughout the entire exchange, I had forgotten she was there.
"I'll let it go for now." Talia said quickly. She seemed rather pleased with herself. Her quick submission could also be due to the fact that the basketball team was currently making their way across the corridor. They were probably heading for practice. I saw Virden eyeing us questioningly. Talia quickly disengaged herself from the group without another word and flitted over to Derrick's side. Before I could grab Derrick's attention as well I pulled Nicole and Vince into the parking lot.
"Well played, my lady." Vince was grinning from ear to ear. Nicole was also beaming down at me.
"What a day!" She exclaimed.
"Let's get out of here." I said tiredly.
It was only when Nicole started the engine and I stretched back into the seat that I finally breathed in relief.
"So now that it's only the two of us. Tell me exactly what happened in the morning. Did you stammer and eat your own words. Or did all your pent up emotions flood out in an instant? Tell me you proclaimed your undying love to him and he scooped you up in his arms."
"Nicky! Ease down on the drama please." I laughed shaking my head. Drama queen would be too polite a word to be used on Nicole.
"Do you think Derrick figured it out?" Nicole asked seriously. Her change of tone took me by surprise. I glanced up at her for a moment before I turned on the radio, buying myself some time. It must have killed her to keep it in for the entire day. Then again, she had kept my secret for years now.
"Figured out what?" I asked casually as I switched through channels on the radio.
"You know what I mean. He's a smart guy. Did you give away the fact that you have been harboring a crush on him since the ninth grade?"
I smiled slightly as I replied, "I played it so cool, I could have fooled myself."
Author's Note: Please read and review. Thanks!