"Love at First sight. It's going to kill me someday."
            -Joseph Lancot

Chapter 1: IN lOVE

I shouldered my backpack and let out a big sigh. I had been avoiding everyone in this small town, Mascoin, all summer. Now, being thrown back in the ring, I was living a nightmare.

Where I lived, everyone either worked out 24/7, or knew how to operate a gun.

It wasn't exactly safe living here, but my mother and I couldn't afford any where else but this.

My mother, Mary Lancot, bless her soul. She was the single most hard working soul in the world, yet she had the smallest pay.

We struggled, but we both worked as hard as we could, and managed to stay alive. If I could, I would take all of her struggles off her shoulder.

The people in this town were crazy. If you went out at night, you'd probably end up dead.

The teachers were brave souls coming to school to teach these delinquents.

I was seventeen and starting my senior year at East Valley high, today.

I walked to the graffitied entrance. The windows were actually clean this year. The brick walls were still a chipped red, and the roof of the one story building was still the same old broken tin platform.

I moved here with my family in my freshman year. My younger brother and father had been killed in a car crash.

The person in the other car had been drunk. He claimed he hadn't seen my fathers small pick-up, but I didn't believe him.

I resented every club. Every gang. Every drop of alcohol. Every pierced nose. I hated them for my father.

I wasn't like that. I had no piercings, no tattoos. I was in no clubs or gangs. I didn't ride down the rode on a motorcycle, firing my gun randomly.

I was the good kid. For my mother. For my father. For my brother. For me.

I was one in a million. I was different. I was surprised I was alive.

Reaching my first class, pre-calculus, I sat down in the front seat, nearest to the teachers desk. The farther from the back, the better.

Mr. Brunch, the teacher for this class, was pretty cool. I liked all of my teachers, but this was by far my favorite.

Instead of being able to be bribed to give straight A's, he would actually stand up to the students. No one messes with Mr. Brunch.

Brunch wasn't in the room though, but neither was anyone else. Why would students in a gang, come early?

I say back in my seat. I pulled out a book and was absorbed in it.

I heard the door open, but didn't look up. It was probably Mr. Brunch.

"Why are you the only one here?" It was a female voice. Not like the rough voices you'd hear from a motorcycle chick, but sweet and soft.

I looked up. Standing in front of me, was the most gorgeous women id ever seen. I was in love. Then reality hit me.

  "Why are you not wearing black?" I asked. I felt stupid imimeatily.

She laughed. My face reddened. "Why do you think I need to dress in black?"
She said.

She had blond, almost white hair. Her blouse was a peachy pink, and her shorts were a sky blue. White sneakers were wrapped around her feet.

She was the exact opposite of every other person (except me), in this city.

"Who are you?" I asked. I face palmed myself mentally. What kind of question is that?

"My name is Delilah. I'm replacing Mr. Brunch. Sorry if I'm not as good."

My jaw dropped.