Best For You

1- There's Always The Past

Paisley Rose

The past never truly stays behind. It re-emerges as memories, smells, sounds, lessons, a touch, a feeling. When I ran across a picture of my boyfriend and me with bright smiles, it bought up a gentle reminder of something passed, something disconnected from the present. The deepest spark of nostalgia flooded my thoughts and I craved to be that girl in that picture again. Deep in love, happy, oblivious, and without a care in the world.

As I stared at that photo, I remembered the first time I laid eyes on Anderson William Clarke. I thought he was cute, but that was pretty much it. Just another cute guy at Rolling Hills High. Another cute guy that wouldn't notice me. If they did either I wasn't the right color, right size, or my parents weren't in the right tax bracket.

My parents aren't poor but nowhere near rich. We just happen to live in a rich neighborhood. My mom, Rose, grew up well off. Her parents gave the house, that we currently live in, to her when she married my father, Philip, as a wedding gift.

Unfortunately, she died three weeks after giving birth to me at the young age of 24. I believe the actual cause was from an embolism or blood clot that went undetected. I never got a chance to even know her, but I knew she loved me. She wrote a diary about me during her entire pregnancy and up until the day she died. My father loved her so much and told me all about her.

My father remarried when I turned six to a woman named Violet. My stepmother is honestly the sweetest person and a great mom. She's never lived up to the evil stepmother stereotype. Trust me, my six-year-old self was freaking out when my dad told me he was getting married. She took me in and treated me like her own. Even when they had a child of their own. My little brother, Aster, is eight years younger than me. He's the best brother in the world.

With that picture still in hand, I recalled the morning I was fated to meet Anderson like it was yesterday. Eight years ago to be exact. At that time, my little 8-year-old brother was sick with the flu and mum begged me to stay home with him, so she didn't have to close her flower shop for the day. Dad was busy dealing with a crisis at work and couldn't get off. I had an AP Physics exam that I couldn't miss either. I compromised and told mum that I'd do a half-day and be home by lunch. She reluctantly agreed and told me to pick up Aster at her shop at noon sharp.

I was in Homeroom, feeling a little guilty about disappointing my mum. Then walked in this tall guy with mesmerizing blue eyes, dark brown hair, naturally tan skin, and a muscular athletic build. I had to take a double look to make sure he was real and not a figment of my imagination. After a few seconds of staring at him, I went back to my study notes for my exam.

"Paisley Rose?" Mr. Chavez asked, trying to get my attention.

"Yes, sir," I said as I looked up at him.

I didn't realize Mr. Chavez moved that quickly from his desk to mine.

"This is Anderson Clarke, a new student from Rancho Prep. You two seem to have a lot of the same classes. Do you mind showing him around?" he said.

Private school? What made him come to a public school?

"Sure, but I'm doing a half-day today. I hope that's not a problem, Mr. Chavez," I responded.

"No problem at all," he said, walking back to his desk.

I quickly went back to reading over my notes. Anderson sat down next to me. I could almost feel his gaze on my face. I did my best to ignore him and continued to focus on my notes.

"Paisley Rose. Such a pretty name. I've never met anyone with that name," Anderson said, interrupting my thoughts.

Without looking at him I just said, "thanks".