Paris

~ Prologue ~

     My small, pale hands shook with excitement. I looked around at all of the other kids, their facial expressions just as happy as mine. 

     "Have a good first day, Avalon," My mother said to me. "I love you sweetheart!"

     My first day of junior high. As I walked through the doors the smell of paper and old, musty books overwhelmed me. 

     A group of boys standing by the cafeteria caught my eye. I watched for a while as they laughed and cracked a few jokes about things that had happened over the summer. 

     "I can't believe you chugged five cartons of milk at 4H camp," the blonde, curly headed boy with glasses said to the taller, brown haired boy with square frames. 

     "And I can't believe Mark missed all of it for Ballet Camp," another boy said, gesturing toward the boy with black hair and deep brown eyes. 

     I was immediately hooked on the boy. His dark features and slim figure enticing, and his laugh intoxicating. 

     The boy's eyes met mine, his face flushing and smile beaming. He began to approach me slowly, cautiously, like a hunter would approach a wild animal. 

     "Hello," I said quietly, staring at my feet. 

     "Hi," he said, sticking his hand out for me to shake. "Mark."

      I took his hand in mine gently, shaking lightly. "Avalon." His hand felt firm in mine, almost as if they were meant for each other. 

     "These are my friends," he began, gesturing to the group. 

     "Hi, I'm Scott." The curly headed boy smiled. I gave off a small smile, my gaze not leaving Mark. 

     "I'm Josiah," the taller, brown haired boy said. "And this is my friend Noah." Noah stood about 6'1 and had dirty blonde hair.

     "I'm James," the skinny, brown haired boy said. 

     "And I'm Matthew," the disheveled haired boy smiled brightly. 

     I turned back to Mark, my smile beaming. "It's great to meet you all." 

    Mark nodded. "You just moved here, didn't you Avalon?"  I smiled, nodding politely. 

     "Must be kind of hard not knowing anyone, eh?" Scott inquired. I nodded again, trying to avoid conversation. 

     "Well, I'm glad you met us then," Mark said smiling. 

     

                                                                    And that's where my obsession began.