Invisible

Chapter 1 Yes You

The strong, pungent aroma wafts up into my nose, the new crop of daffodils don't seem to be taking. I sit back and sigh, pushing the strands of loose blond hair out of my eyes and off of my face. Realizing too late that I've probably spread dirt all over my face.

Oh well. I stand and stretch, my back stiff from 2 hours of crawling around on the floor.

"Hey Leah, I think you have something on your face!" Tori says, louder than she needs to as she walks by and points.

"Yeah, I know. Thanks." I walk over to my tools, keeping my head down.

Again I wonder what i did to make her hate me. She's drop dead gorgeous, I couldn't compete with her for a single guy in the world. Her raven black hair and crystal blue eyes put my blond, messy hair and green eyes to shame. She can eat anything she wants to, and often does, and never gains an ounce. But I nibble on salads and still have to work out just to keep my body from rebelling on me. Honestly, she reminds me of the girls in high school who used to pick on me and still try to use me when they needed an easy 'A'.

And so what if I'd never worked in a greenhouse before, and so what if I'm fine with digging ditches and planting trees, installing sprinkler systems, and getting muddied up? As long as I don't have to talk to people I'm fine. I just wish she would leave me alone.

I think she really started to hate me when I was picked over her for the VanDorsman account.

Finally it's 5:30. I clean up as best as I can in the tiny bathroom in back of the main office. My grass green eyes stare back at me in the cloudy mirror. I've given up wearing makeup at work, by the end of the day it is all worn off anyway.

I change into my workout clothes and head off to the gym. I am constantly on a diet and working out, I hate it but it keeps me busy. Also, it beats being home alone with just my cat to hang out with. I am careful not to make eye contact with anyone while I run on the treadmill, I try to ignore the group of young athletes around me.

Maybe I should switch gyms, go somewhere where there are less people. I tried running on the street but I didn't like all of the staring.

By the time I leave the gym it's almost 8:30, the grocery store should be pretty quiet by now. The night air feels refreshing on my damp skin. I go over my grocery list once more in my head, singing along with the radio while I drive.

I smile at the mostly deserted parking lot, as long as I use the self checkout lane I won't have to talk to a single person.

I grab a cart and walk up and down the aisles. Even though I try my hardest a package of Oreos and a bag of sour gummy worms find their way into my cart. They are my kryptonite.

I'm heading for checkout when I remember my peppermint tea. I ran out and I seriously can't sleep without a cup I'm the evening.

Knowing I'm running short on time, I hurry to the section where the coffee and tea stand side by side. I am hoping I can get home before 10, there's a documentary on nebulas that I really want to see and the DVR has been acting up again.

Darn it! They moved the boxes of tea up a shelf and it's pushed far back. Even standing on my tiptoes and gripping the lower shelf doesn't quite let me reach it. I wish so badly that I could just grow another inch or two. 5'4 isn't bad but it's sure annoying in situations like this.

"Hey, need some help?"

I turn in shock and my eyes lock with a set of pale blue ones. My face colors immediately. I am not comfortable talking to boys, especially cute ones.

"U...um... S...sure." I stutter, stepping back and pointing at the item I am after. Although this guy isn't much taller than I am, he sure looks intent on trying.

Yep, he can't quite reach it either. "Well, I could always give you a boost." He says, laughing over his shoulder.

"No it's fine don..."

He suddenly springs about 3 feet up off of the floor.

"Here you go." He presents the box to me.

"Thanks." I take it carefully, avoiding eye contact.

"You're welcome. Us little people have to stick together."

I smile at my shoes and turn my cart around, in the direction of the checkout lanes.

Much to my horror the guy starts moving in the same direction. He scoops a package of keurig cups up and I quicken my pace.

"So..." He strides next to me. "My name's Hunter by the way."

I knew that. "Nice to meet you." I lie, keeping my gaze straight ahead. Only 30 more feet to go.

"I don't believe I caught your name." He's persistent and overly nice, I'll give him that.

"Leah." I say quietly, stopping at the end of the aisle. "Well, bye." I turn my cart and get in line. I flip through a couple of flashy magazines while I wait. I've found this to be an effective way of avoiding conversations with my fellow shoppers.

Finally it's my turn. While I'm bagging the items I can't help but notice that I am being watched.

Hunter is pretending to be engrossed in talking to a checkout clerk in another lane but his eyes dart up way too often. Finally I stare at him until our gaze connects. He looks away real fast. Heat rises in his cheeks.

I finish up and hurry out to my car, I just want to get home where no one can see me.

"Hi there." I tense up. That voice, why can't he just go away?

"Hi." I don't look up I just continue to load my trunk.

"Look, I just wanted to apologize."

"For what?" I close my trunk and wheel my cart to the cart corral.

"I don't know, I just got the feeling I maybe said something that made you upset." He says, walking right beside me.

"You didn't." I wish he would stop following me. I take out my keys and open my car door.

"Wait." He says, grabbing my door. I reach my hand inside my purse, feeling for the can of mace "I was just wondering if you'd like to go out with me."

He smiles and I release the can.

"No thank you." I turn the key in the ignition.

"Oh... Okay then." He looks a little dejected and I feel an unexpected twinge of guilt, this is something I'm not used to.

"I'm sorry... I just, I know who you are and I'm not interested."

Hunter looks surprised.

"Have a good night." I close the door as he steps back.

He waves as my headlight's beams hit his frame when I back out of the parking space.

I try to shake the sick feeling that has formed in the pit of my stomach. My heart continues to race even after I've gotten home. It takes 3 trips to get all of the bags up to my apartment.

It's already started but I turn on the program anyway, I bump up the volume so I can hear it while I put the food away.

Jade, my slender, gray tabby encircles my legs, crying out for food.

I oblige her and bend down to scratch her ears while she eats.

As I boil water for my tea the conversation between Hunter and myself replays in my head. I have the sudden urge to pull out his vinyl, blast it until I fall asleep.

I throw the feeling into the back corner of my mind and retreat to the living room. I try to block out the thoughts as I listen to a soothing voice teach me about the wonders of the Galaxy.