This One's for You

This One's for You - Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Two Years Later

“Vanessa!  Come on, we’re going to be late!” Willow shouted, honking her horn like a maniac. 

“I’m coming, I’m coming!  I just have to get this stupid shoe on!” I replied.  After a ridiculous amount of effort, my old, black converses finally allowed my feet to slip into them.  Grabbing my worn-out book bag and tossing it over my shoulder, I gave myself one final look over in the mirror.  The slight hints of green in my light brown eyes stared back at me with a barely noticeable coating of grassy, green eye shadow.  I scrunched my nose, my new turtle shell framed glasses slowly sliding down.  Three months with them and I still hadn’t gotten used to the feeling, even if I only had to wear them on occasion. 

I grabbed my brush and ran it once more through my wide curls, reaching the end halfway down my back.  I glanced down at my clothes and smiled, content with my oversized “Come to the dark side, we have cookies” tee shirt and holey jeans.  Willow was going to have a cow.

“What the hell are you wearing?” Willow shrieked as a plopped down next to her, dressed in her tight navy blue sweater and plaid miniskirt.  She looked like the cliché school girl let loose.  Sticking my feet up on the dashboard of her latest ride, a 2009 Corvette Convertible, I ignored her comment and turned on the radio. 

“Now I know all you listeners out there are excited about the world famous band, Torment, making their-” I turned down Ryan Seacrest’s voice before another word escaped the speakers.

“Don’t do that!  I want to-”

I gave Willow my best death glare, and she pursed her lip gloss encrusted lips in defeat.  Vanessa Daniels and Torment do not belong in the same car, that is, without my raging fire of hate exploding, one with which Willow did not agree.  She knew nothing could change my mind about Torment, or more specifically, its lead singer, not even her, or seemingly the whole planet’s, love for them.  Finally ending her sour expression with a roll of the eyes, she hit the gas with unnecessary force, speeding down my street towards Henson Maine High and our first day as juniors.  

~~~~

The school looked just as it did the first time I stepped through the giant, oak double doors two years prior.  Tiny, confused freshmen zigzagged down the halls, some being dumped in trashcans by the seniors, others flipping their hair and surrounding the notorious player, Xavier Michaels, who undoubtedly was trying to corrupt a few more innocent minds.    

“Tsk, tsk.” Willow shook her head as we made our way down the blue and gold lined hallway.   “Poor girls are going to get sucked into his charms.  I don’t know how they don’t see through him.”

I halted, suppressing a laugh.

“Willow, you slept with him sophomore year!”

“Shh!” Willow covered my mouth. “I was vulnerable! My parents had just split.  Plus, missy, nobody needs to know!”

“Oh please, everybody knows who’s slept with Xavier, it’s no government secret.” I said, trying to end the conversation before Willow jumped on her high horse.

“I’d just appreciate it if you didn’t broadcast my business for the whole hallway to hear.”

Too late.

When I didn’t respond, she stomped at me in her designer heels and I sat back and watched, amused.  It hadn’t taken me long to learn that about Willow, let her blow off some steam and she’ll cool off faster than you can say “chill pill”.

“Damn,” she said, breathing heavily as her eyes locked on something over my shoulder. “Speaking of the devil, here he comes right now, horns and all.”

I spun around, finding myself face to face with Xavier. “I believe horny is what you mean.”

Xavier looked me up and down, a smirk drawn up on his flawless face.  There’s no doubt the boy was gorgeous, with his surfer blond hair that seemed to brush his eyelashes and his swimmer build.  I, however, did not let his good looks blind me from the player within, and that pissed him off more than anything. 

“You know, if you dressed more like your friend here,” Xavier nodded toward Willow. “I know you’d have yourself a boyfriend, maybe even me if you’re lucky.”

“Hmm, what an offer, buddy, but I think I’ll pass.  Again.  Now buzz off.” I said, waving my hand at him dismissingly.  He didn’t budge.

“Come on, Nessie, a guy can dream.”

“My name is Vanessa, Xavier.  Now, why don’t you go corrupt some freshman and leave me alone.”

His smirk broadened.  “Corrupt?  That seems kind of harsh, Nessie.”

I cringed.  Nobody called me Nessie, I didn’t allow them and they just went with it.  Everyone, that is, except Xavier.  I had made the mistake freshman year of telling him why, and he used it against me ever since.  The rights to Nessie would always be Caden’s, no matter how much I despised him.  That connection made Xavier jealous, and even more keen on winning me over. 

“It can’t be harsh if it’s true.  Now, piss off before I do something stupid.” I grunted, opening my locker and hoping he’d abide to my command.

“Oh, feisty, I like that.  Why don’t yo-ow!” Xavier screeched as he found his fingers wedged in my locker door.  I held it closed for a moment more as he struggled, then slowly let him yank out his throbbing fingers.  The tips were as red as tomatoes, purple slowly creeping up as well. 

“Next time I’ll lock it.  Now piss off.” I said before turning on my heels and high tailed it toward calculus.  Willow trotted close behind me.

“Oh my god, Vanessa!” Willow laughed, finally catching up. “That was, like, assault!”

I laughed shakily, adrenaline draining from my body. “I don’t know why I did that.  He’s just such an-”

“Ass?” She finished. 

“Exactly.”

“Well,” Willow sighed as we walked through the classroom door. “I think he’ll take you a little more seriously now.  Plus, I’m proud of you.”

I cocked my head, a questioning look on my face. “Because I hurt someone?”

“Because I can officially knight you a badass.” She said, taping my shoulders with her books.

“Well, at least a badass in training.” She laughed, plopping down at her desk.

“Whatever, weirdo.” I rolled my eyes, stifling a smile as a made my way to my seat just as the bell chimed overhead.

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Sorry it took so long!  I wrote it quick, but I hope you still like it!