new girl (1)

chapter 2

I couldn’t believe I kissed Valery Clash on the cheek yesterday. She probably was still storming in her room, disgusted that she let anyone close to her. I mean, it was her first day of school yesterday…and I was the annoying little brat-boy that got on her nerves.

Third period was coming up soon, the second to last period of the day. I just hoped it wasn’t too awkward for Valery or me now. I mean. I just met her. The bell rang, causing me to jump up from my seat out of habit. I decided to take a while to walk to class, hoping Valery would get there before me. My hopes were shot down. The classes were right next to each other.

I sat down, letting out the breath I had been holding. ‘Don’t bring up the kiss on the cheek. Maybe she’s just going to ignore it.’ I watched the door.

Valery came into the room at least three seconds before the tardy bell.

“I’m not late.” She called to the teacher, sitting down next to me.

“That was a close one.” I said to her, under my breath.

“Got that right. Someone named Samantha decided it was a great time to talk about you.”

“Whoa, wait. What? What did she say?”

Valery looked at Mr. Darby, “Not now, Drew.”

I glanced up and saw Mr. Darby glowering at us, he must’ve asked us a question and I hadn’t heard it. One of his pet-peeves. Talkers.

“Mr. Darby, could you repeat?” I asked in a polite tone that I only used with teachers.

“I said be quiet, Mr. Donovan. I have a lecture we need to get caught up with. Take notes, class.” Mr. Darby clicked to the next slide.

I grabbed my notebook, seeing Valery had a brand new red notebook on her desk. She started taking notes. Weird. I didn’t think she would, I thought she would be doodling. I shrugged and wrote down the lecture notes, blocking out the drone of Mr. Darby’s voice. I noticed Valery wasn’t writing anything from the board.

I leaned into her, getting in her bubble. “Whatcha doing?”

Valery drew up her notebook to her chest. “Nothing.”

I grabbed it easily from her hands and read what she was writing, but it was a different language.

“What the? Valery, what language is this?” I murmured to her under my breath.

“Latin. Now give it back.”

“Latin? Valery, that language is dead. What happened to your other notebook?”

Valery glared at me, taking the notebook back. “Latin isn’t dead in my world, Drew. My old notebook is full.”

“All the pages? Jeesh.”

Valery closed the notebook and shoved it in her backpack. “Yes, all the pages.”

I raised my eyebrows, surprised, “That’s a lot of writing.”

She said nothing, looking at the board, probably pretending to listen to Mr. Darby’s lecture. I could tell she got uncomfortable about talking about her writing.

“So uh, Valery. I was wondering, if you wanted to catch up after school? You know, down at the cemetery?”

Valery turned toward me, frowning. “The cemetery?”

“What? You scared?” I grinned at her.

“No!” she dropped her voice down lower, “Fine, I’ll meet you after school, okay?”

I smirked, grabbing my pen. I took her arm and scribbled my numbers down, before she could pull her arm away.

“What’s this?” she frowned at the numbers.

“My cell.”

“Well, this has been great chit chat, but I’m afraid Mr. Darby has an interest in our conversation.” Valery jerked her chin to Darby.

I turned to the board, scribbling some random notes down. Valery shifted in her seat next me and Darby stood in front of our desks.

“Is there something you would like to share?” he asked.

“No, sir. Just explaining to Valery…about…” I glanced at the board, “about the equation.”

Darby turned to Valery, “You could have raised your hand, Valery.”

Valery shrugged, flopping her arm around, “Too lazy.”

Mr. Darby snorted and went back up to the front, lecturing again. I tried to ignore Valery, to not talk to her, but she just wouldn’t get out of my mind.

“So…you’re still in for the cemetery?”

Valery flipped her hair, grabbing her backpack. The bell rung. “Of course.” She got out of her seat, and I caught her hand. Her grey eyes darted to my hand on hers, and back up to me. She looked uncomfortable.

“Want to walk to class, together?” I dropped my hand, hoping that would help.

Valery pursed her lips, narrowing her eyes at mine. “Okay.” She shrugged her backpack on, walking to the door.

I caught up to her, walking next to her. We didn’t say anything as we walked, and even in class. Valery didn’t protest when I sat down next to her. Weird…something must be up. I nudged her with my shoulder, she jumped a little.

“What?” she hissed at me under her breath.

“You okay…?”

Valery seemed taken back. “I, uhm. Yeah, I’m good. Just lost in my thoughts I guess.”

I grinned like a kid, “About me? Ooh.”

Valery punched me in the arm, trying not to smile.

I rubbed my arm, jaw dropping, sarcasm dripping in my tone. “Oh, jeesh, Valery, that hurt.”

I got an icy glare, and I snickered, wondering why I hadn’t known her before.
______
VALERY’S POV.
I leaned against a tree, a soft breeze playing with my hair. I kept asking myself, why was I here? But, I already knew the answer to that question. I was here because of Drew Donovan. His soft brown hair that fell over his eyebrows, his playful blue eyes, his full lips, and his constant smile brought me here. Even though I knew he would never fall for a girl like me, I could dream, couldn’t I? At the dance, I could barely contain myself. We had danced. His protective arms were the only thing that anchored me to the real world. After the dance, he had kissed me. Well, not on the lips like I had wanted it, but on the cheek. It was better than nothing. I somehow convinced myself that he did that just out of kindness, or something like that. I wouldn’t allow myself to get hurt, so I had to push him away.

That was thing about liking someone or falling in love. You don’t know if they’ll love you back. So your heart gets ripped and torn, and the world is over, yadda yadda yadda. It’s happened to me before. That’s why I had pushed Drew away the first day of school, but I was just making things worse. I kept seeing him! At school; after school. It was bad. But yet, I couldn’t keep myself away from him. Until he broke my heart –which he will- I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep myself away.

So here I was, waiting. I hope he hadn’t stood me up.

I glanced at the sky, wondering. What if he tried to kiss me? Would I let him or push him away? Maybe he wasn’t interested in me like that. Maybe he just wanted to talk and hang out like friends. Friends. That would be good, I could deal with friends. Maybe he would friend-zone me. I could deal with that. It would be better than a broken heart.

I toyed with my shark tooth necklace, the one my mother had given to me just before she died. I ignored the footsteps that came up beside me as I watched the clouds through the tree leaves. Drew leaned next to me, his arm against mine. He was awfully close. So close, I could turn and lean into him and- Stop.

Drew twirled a strand of my hair. “Hey, Val.”

I smiled, still looking up at the clouds, “Val? Nice nickname you gave me.”

“What you don’t like it?” he chuckled beside me.

“If I don’t?”

“It stays. Even if you do like it. Which you do, ‘cause you’re still smiling.”

I snorted, looking up at him. I was tall, probably five-eleven, but I still had to look up at Drew. He was at least four inches taller than me. “Whatever. I’m smiling because I like nature.” A lie, well detected.

“Uh-huh. Maybe you’re smiling because you like…me.” He smiled down at me, his blue eyes sparking mischief.

“You’re living in your own fantasy, Drew.” I shoved at him, and he laughed.

“You’re my fantasy.” He said under his breath. I probably wasn’t meant to hear it, so I got off the tree, walking closer to him.

“What was that?”

Drew sputtered, and looked away, “Nothing, I didn’t say anything. You’re crazy.”

I grinned, stopping in front of him, “Why are we here?”

Drew shrugged, looking into my eyes. “I felt like seeing you. Outside of class.”

“You see me in the halls.”

Drew rolled his eyes, “You know what I meant.”

“Maybe.” I trailed a finger on his jacket, then dropped my hand. What was I doing?! I needed to stop this. Now.

“Drew,” I started at the same time as Drew said, “I want-“

“Oh, uhm, you go first.” I chewed my lip, what does he want?

“Oh, never mind, you can go.” Drew wouldn’t looked at me.

“No, what were you going to say?”

Drew shook his head, “Forgot. You’re way too distracting.”

“Yeah, I…” Whoa. Was that a compliment?

Drew smirked at me, pulling me dangerously close against him. He breathed me in. “You smell good.”

I tried not to melt. I wanted to tense my body, to make him notice I was uncomfortable, but I was comfortable. Here in his warm arms, against his muscled body; wouldn’t you be comfortable?

His hands dropped to my waist, and I linked my arms around his neck, toying with ends of his hair. “You look good too.” I felt a blush starting to form on my cheeks, his compliments were getting to me.

Drew leaned into me, and I tilted my head up, my lips parting. I closed my eyes, ignoring the little niggle of fear of my heart breaking. Drew’s lips hovered just over mine before pressing softly against mine. I kissed him back, pulling myself against him. I felt the tree press against my back, and I welcomed it for backup. Just in case I fainted with sensations.

Drew’s and my kisses started to become more deep and…ravenous. I wrapped my legs around him, and I heard him make a sound that was somewhat like a moan mixed with a growl…something like that.

Drew pulled back and I panted, wanting to pull him back to me.

Drew smirked, eyes boaring into mine. “Taste good too.”

I laughed, putting my legs down. Panic filled me. I should not have let that happen. I knew Drew was going to break my heart and I just ensured it. This was bad.

Drew trailed a finger on my jawline. “I like you a lot more than I think I should, Val.”

I inhaled sharply, glad that the tree was there. I had not expected that. Drew looked down at me, still pressed against me.

“I’m out of line, aren’t I?” he asked, hurt filling his eyes.

Maybe…maybe he wasn’t going to hurt me. No! I couldn’t allow myself to think like that! I thought the same with…never mind him. But he still broke my heart. Now Drew was going to do that. All boys did.

“I…no, I’m just…uh….” I stuttered, trying to find the right words.

Drew pressed his lips together, nodding. He stepped away from me. “I’m sorry. I should have asked.”

I almost pulled him back to me, “No, Drew, it’s fine. I…I’ve never really liked someone…and every time I do, my heart gets broken. Great, know I’m burdening you with my problems. See what kissing does to me? I haven’t even spoken this much to someone in one whole time. Look at me! I keep blabbing.”

Drew laughed and then frowned, “Who broke your heart?”

My pursed my lips, playing with my necklace. “It’s over, okay? He’s never coming back into my life if that’s what you’re worried about.”

Drew shook his head, “No, Val. It isn’t okay, he hurt you. Who is he?”

I looked at the grass. “No one from here. No one you know. He’s nobody. Can we forget about him?”

Drew narrowed his eyes at me. “Valery, he broke your heart. I have to know.”

I looked up at him, pulling him closer to me, “He doesn’t matter, Drew.” I whispered in his ear, brushing my lips against his cheek.

Drew growled, not buying it, “Val!”

I cut him off with a kiss, my hands went in his soft hair. Drew kissed me back, hands splayed on my back. He pulled me in close to him, and pulled back his lips away.

“Val, tell me, who broke your heart?” Drew whispered against my lips.

I sighed, pulling off and away from him. I leaned against the tree, and I looked at the leaves it held. I rubbed my arm, looking back at him.

“You wouldn’t know him…but his name is Kale.” I stared into his eyes, reading all kinds of mixed emotions. Anger was the one that tackled all of them.

“Kale who? What’s his last name?” Drew stepped back a little, giving me room.

“Kale Crest. He lives where I used to live.”

“Huh, where did you live?”

“Drew…” I glanced at my shoes.

“Still don’t trust me yet? Why would kiss me then?” I felt Drew’s eyes pierce into me.

“I was caught up in the moment.” I felt a blush start to creep its way up. I pushed it away, “I know that you like me, but I don’t. And I need you stay away from me. I only came here to tell you that myself.” I didn’t look at him when I spoke, tears were prickling in the back of my eyes.

I heard Drew intake air. “Look at me, Val.”

I glanced up at him and back down, “Why. Don’t you get it Drew, I don’t like you!”

“Look at me.”

There was long silence, not even the birds chirped. I finally looked into his soft blue eyes, seeing laughter in them. What was his problem?! I just told him I didn’t like him, tried to push him away. And now he’s laughing in the inside?!

“You’re lying, Val. You’re just trying to push me away, because you’re afraid that I’ll break your heart just like Kale did. Valery, do you really believe I would do that to you?”

No. “Yes. And I am not lying! I don’t like you, never will! Leave me alone! Stay out of my life!” I spun on my heel, tears already making their way down my cheeks. Drew gripped my arm, hard.

“Val! I don’t care that you don’t trust me, but you have to get over Kale.” I turned around, facing Drew, anger surging through me. I saw surprise on his face.

“Don’t tell me what to do! You don’t know anything! I am over Kale! I just. Don’t. Like. You.” I hissed at him.

Drew flinched like he was being slapped, “Valery…please, let me show you just how good I am.”

“No!” I shoved at his chest, making him take a couple steps back to gain his balance. “No! Stay away from me!”

Drew held his arms out, as if to pull me into a hug, but dropped them to his sides. “Fine. This isn’t over.” He growled at me.

“Yes it is!”

“Why? Because you said so? You’re not my boss!” I was surprised he yelled at me.

“Why do you even care about me?” I asked in a small voice.

Drew blinked, surprised. “I...what?”

“I said, why do you like me.” I gritted my teeth.

Drew sputtered, clearly taken back.

I threw my hands in the air, “You have nothing! So, I’m leaving!”

This time, Drew didn’t come after me. Part of me wanted him to, to kiss me again, make me all better. But life isn’t fairytale. I did this for my own good.