The Story Of Us

Chapter 1: Best Friends

I stepped out into the glaring sunlight and brisk October wind. I breathed in the scent of freedom and sighed as I tried to shake off the adding stress of one more completed day at school. My golden brown eyes searched the crowded parking lot for my mother's suburban. She was nowhere in sight.

I leaned back against the stair railing and closed my eyes. Suddenly I gasped as I felt cold hands on my neck and a male voice whispered close to my ear, "Scream and you die."

Keeping my tone serious, I replied evenly, "If I go down, you go down with me."

This was followed by a moment of silence before I felt my chest start to shake from holding in laughter. I pressed my lips into a fine line in an effort to contain my giggles, but they burst out anyway, leaving me gasping for air as I turned around to face my would-be kidnapper.

There he stood: Enzo. Blue-green eyes sparkling, perfect teeth exposed in a crooked smirk. A little over six feet tall, brown hair swept sideways across his natural cowlick. I couldn't help but feel my stomach drop in excitment at his appearance.

He gestured to the crowded parking lot. "You look like you're waiting for someone." His eyes held mine, unblinking.

I scoffed and rolled my eyes. "Thank you, Captain Obvious." My usual snark and cocked eyebrow caused him to laugh and throw his arm around my shoulders. My heart leaped at our close proximity.

"Gotta love that sassiness," he gazed down at me and my eyes travelled over his every feature. "How do you feel about coming over tonight to help us guys study?" he asked me casually.

I started a little as I registered the question, having just been fantasizing about his lips just moments before. "Oh! Um, yeah! Of course." I stuttered, trying to untangle my tongue from itself and form some coherent multiple-syllable words.

He smirked. "So glad my best friend can come!" His arm slid off of my shoulders. "See you tonight at seven!" He ruffled my hair and took off down the steps. I blinked as I gazed after him. Best friend... That's all I was. That's all WE were: friends.

I sighed internally, but quickly made my way down the school steps as I saw my mother's car roll into view. Took her long enough, I thought bitterly.

I hopped in the car. "I have to work today. I also have tons of homework, So is it alright if I go to a study group with the guys tonight?" I babbled off the long monologue quickly.

My mother looked at me and rolled her eyes. "I suppose so..." her English accent always left everyone awestruck, but I was used to it.

"Thanks, mom." I said shortly. "Now can you drop me off at work?"