Chapter One: Beauty

I walked out of class, relieved that pre-calculus was finally over. Despite my efforts to pass the class, I still despised it. It was just one of the useless things that we wasted our time learning about. I mean, when were we ever going to use Pi on a daily basis?

I walked over to my locker, twisted the combination into the lock, and popped the door open. Inside was an array of books, folders, papers, and a small calendar, all neatly organized into their little spots. A small round mirror hung on the inside of the door, revealing my head of dusty-blonde hair, tied into two loose braids that rested on my shoulders. My smooth, light skin was slightly flushed, bringing a faint pink tint to my cheeks. I brushed stray strands of hair off my soft-heart shaped face and took a quick glance at my upturned eyes, the blue-green irises darting along with my pupils as I scanned over my own features.

I put my calculus book and notepad away, tucking them in between Science and Language Arts, and replaced them with my history materials. I shut my locker, which revealed a 6'4" figure that stood right behind it. "Shit!" I gasped, nearly jumping out of my skin and dropping all of my things.

The figure chuckled. Leaning against the lockers, a smug smirk dancing across his face was Zachary Bentley Turploy. "What's wrong, Tiger?" He taunted, his accent dripping with sarcasm.

Zach, despite having been transferred from the U.K almost six years ago, still held his stupid English accent. I, however, was still convinced he was forcing it.

"I got jumpscared by a talking rat," I retaliated, and a glare quickly clouded over my face.

"You going on that little nerd trip this week?" He asked, practically brushing my retort off his shoulder as his expression stayed blank.

It made me so fucking mad how he didn't react to anything I would say to make him do so. It made me want to try to hurt him physically. Nothing serious, just a punch to the face or something. Just to hear a wince. Something that would give me some sort of reaction from him. "It's not a 'nerd trip'."

He quirked a mocking brow above his electric blue eyes. "Oh really? Because last I checked, going to a state dedicated to history seems like a pretty nerdy trip. Besides, if you're going, it must be just that."

I said nothing, at a complete loss for a comeback, and all I could do is glare. It kind of did sound like a trip for nerds, but I would die before ever oraly agreeing to anything this shithead said. My silence only brought a smirk to his lips.

"That's what I thought," he said, and a smug grin spread across his soft-tanned face. And with that, he walked away, shoulder-checking me and rubbing the top of my head roughly, sending my hair into disarray.

I grumbled, fixing my hair as he walked away with his friend group, snickering and wolf-whistling at other girls as they walked by. They intentionally left the girls blushing and giggling at each other, completely ecstatic that the popular boys had even glanced in their direction. A disgusted look spread over my face.

Fucking pricks. I didn't know how the fuck they got popular. I guessed teasing and making fun of others did the trick. Maybe that was why the nicest were always looked over. Whatever. I had bigger problems to deal with than anything else that had to do with that jackass.

Five years. For five fucking years, I'd had to deal with that annoying, cocky, egocentric piece of shit and his little clique of friends' trash. I yearned for the day that I would wipe that smug shit-eating grin off his face. He just didn't give a shit about what I, nor what anyone else, thought or said about him. Maybe that's why he was so God damn popular.

I groaned in frustration and slammed my locker door shut. The sound seemed to echo throughout the entire school from the impact.

I headed over to history class and sat down in my seat next to Haylie, my number one life coach and support. She looked me up and down. Her deep, russet brown eyes seemed to peirce into my soul, finding every secret, every feeling, every single detail and thought. Her little magic trick. It honestly scared the fuck out of me sometimes.

"You good?" She asked, and a singular brow rose high on her forehead.

I nodded my head. "Yeah, all good. Just Zach being Zach. Again."

She narrowed her eyes. "He's such a fucking prick."

I repeated my nod and closed my eyes. I was so tired of his shit. "I have him next period. So. Fucking. Fun."

She offered a sympathetic smile and rubbed my head in a much more appreciative manner than Zach had. "Maybe he'll leave you alone on the trip."

I raised my eyebrows at her. "He has been tormenting me, teasing me, and making fun of me for over five years. Do you really think he's going to stop now?"

"You're right," Haylie sighed. She knew full well that there wasn't a single chance that Zach would leave me alone for not even a minute. "I doubt it's gonna be any different now." She then offered a devious smile. "Maybe you'll be put in Jake's group for the trip."

I immediately felt the heat creep its way up my cheeks, and turned away. I fought back a smile and the swarms of butterflies that attacked my gut, which brought Haylie to a fit of laughter.

Jacob Broder, my boyfriend of two years. Even after two years of us dating, he had always managed to give me the giddiness. His gorgeous hazel eyes never failed to steal my breath from my body. His slight-tanned skin was smooth to the touch. His soft lips gifted me with the sweetest smiles. His honey-blonde hair had the fluffiness of a cloud.

Haylie raised a brow and snapped her fingers. "Leiaaa," she sang.

I woke from my daydreaming. "Huh? Sorry." I gave a sheepish smile, slightly embarrassed.

She shook her head and rolled her eyes sarcastically. "You're ridiculous."

We broke out into silent giggles and were shushed by Mr. Lorter.

She flipped her strawberry-blonde hair over her shoulder. "So, when's the trip again?"

I couldn't help but grin. "We leave early tomorrow morning." I was so excited, I was practically bouncing in my seat.

She nodded and pouted slightly. "I wish I could go. My 'rents didn't like the idea of me being five states away without them going with me."

I smiled softly. "I wish you would go, too. It'd be nice to have a bus-buddy."

Haylie gave me a half-hearted smile. "Yeah. At least Jake's going," she reminded me, clearly trying to focus on the bright side of my fence.

I nodded in agreement. "Yeah."

With that, we both sat in silence and listened to whatever Mr. Lorter had been saying about World War II. Sitting in silence as the dread of next period crept closer and closer.

Too close.

Too fast.