I seriously can't stop thinking about that new girl, Nicole. Man, I was right when I told Chris he didn't do her justice.

I could get lost in those chocolate brown eyes forever. I was astonished when I caught Nicole's face turning red before she turned away, breaking the trance she had me in till Tessa touched my arm. Could she be jealous of Tessa? Damn Tessa. I can't believe how she talked to Nicole.

"William!" My dad's voice startles me.

I jump. "Shit, Dad, you scared me."

He looked heavenward, rolling his eyes. "I called you three times. What's on your mind, Son? I know it's not your work."

My eyes shift to the floor. "Sorry, Dad. I met a new girl at school."

His eyebrows rose, and he smirked. "Say no more; I should've guessed that it was a girl. Now, if you can handle concentrating on your work, I need you to restock the soda aisle."

I let out a long breath before replying, "Will do." I pause. "Um, Dad, do you mind if I head out at my dinner break? A group of us are meeting at the lake."

"Sure, William." He eyes me knowingly. "Let me guess; your group includes the new girl."

My mouth twitched. "I sure hope so," I sigh.

I love that the lake is within walking distance from my house. When I get nearer to the group, I see Tessa. Great. The one person I'd like to avoid for the rest of this school year is here. Luckily her back is turned towards me, but Diana sees me and calls out my name.

"Hey, Nicole!"

Everybody turns and looks in my direction.

I wave. "Hi, everyone!"

Tessa's eyebrows furl, and her forehead wrinkled as she scowls upon seeing me. "Ugg! Diana, why do you insist on including HER in everything?"

Diana's eyes narrowed with irritation. "Because Tessa, she's new to the area, and I like her. Why don't you give her a chance?"

Tessa's anger is apparent when her face turns three shades of red.

"No way. If it weren't for her, I'd still be on the senior squad!"

Diana's eyes widen. "You seriously need to get over yourself! If you were a BETTER cheerleader, you would still have your position."

Tessa waves her hand dismissively. "Whatever!"

I pretended that I didn't hear their entire conversation and look around for William; I don't see him anywhere. The disappointment that I feel catches me off guard. Don't get me wrong, I've liked guys in my other schools before, but no one has ever literally made my heart stop the way William's green eyes do.

Diana returns her attention to me. "Hey Nicole, I'm glad that you could finally make it out to the lake!"

Chris and Diana asked me to the lake several times, but I was always busy unpacking or doing family shit.

"Yeah, me too. Thank you again for the invite, Diana," I reply sincerely.

Diana's lips draw back into a grin. "No problem. I'm just glad you're here."

I gratefully return her smile.

"Hey, bitches!! What's up?" William shouts as he makes an entrance.

"Well, look who has graced us with their presence. I thought you worked tonight?" Chris says as he gives William a friendly smack to his back.

"Nope, Dad is going to close for me. I needed a little downtime after the stressful day at school." He smirks as everyone laughs at his ridiculous comment.

William glances in my direction, his head turns down slightly, and he gives me a flirty smile. Damn! I feel his eyes reach deep into my soul.

"Dude! If you think the first day of school was stressful, you're in serious trouble!" Chris continues to laugh.

Of course, Tessa notices William's arrival and is at his side within seconds.

He ignores her and doesn't break eye contact with me as she whines, "William! You should have texted me you were coming tonight."

The thought of her having a close enough relationship with William to text him practically pushes me over the edge.

He's still looking at me and smiles. "Sorry, Tessa, something just made me want to make an effort to make it tonight."

Warmth invades my cheeks, and I can't help the smile plastered across my face. It's like no one else is here except the two of us.

William walks away from Tessa and over to me. "Want to go for a walk?"

He reaches for my hand, and I gladly intertwine my tiny fingers with his large ones. A shiver goes down my back from his gentle touch.

"Of course."

I could feel Tessa's eyes burning holes in the back of my head as we walked away.

We quietly strolled along the lake's shore. I sneak a peak in William's direction; He looks deep in thought.

Trying my best to sound unbothered, I ask, "So what's the story with you and Tessa? She seems possessive of you; are you two an item?"

He turns towards me, his green eyes sparkling with amusement, gifting me with his brilliant smile.

"Tessa? No. We dated a short time two summers ago, and I still consider her a friend, but she sometimes forgets that we're no longer a couple." He pauses. "Can I ask you a question?"

I give him a sideways grin. "Sure. I'm an open book."

He looks away shyly. "I'm just curious; why did you change schools your senior year?"

"My dad's job has moved us eight times since I started kindergarten. In my fifth-grade year alone, I went to three different schools, and North High is my third high school. So one more move was no big deal. I have to say, when I'm an adult living alone, I don't have any interest in moving, period!"

He chuckles at my last comment. "Wow! I can understand you wanting to settle down. I've lived in Crystal Lake my whole life, and I never really thought about leaving. Do you have college plans?"

I appreciate his interest in my life. It's refreshing. Most guys his age couldn't give a shit about my plans unless it involved his hands all over my body.

"I applied to my top choice, Downingtown University, and got accepted. I want to be a school teacher, and they have an excellent program. What about you?"

William straightens his body and pushes back his shoulders with pride. "My Dad owns the grocery store in town, and he wants me to take over someday when he retires. I applied to Center Business School, so I can continue working at the store while I complete their two-year management program."

"It sounds like you have your life all figured out."

"Sometimes I feel like I have no control over my life, but I love the store, and my dad needs me. The choice was easy," William admits.

The more I learn about this guy, the more intrigued I am. It's hard to find a boy my age with a planned life when most are more into partying and chasing girls. William seems different, and I find it quite attractive.

"You're a delightful surprise, William Hammond," I say as I squeeze his large hand.

He turns to me with those penetrating green eyes. "I feel the same way about you."

Damn!

We continue to walk in comfortable silence, enjoying each other's company.

William breaks the silence. "So, would you be interested in going to the movies with me on Friday night?"

I pretended not to be surprised by his invitation while attempting to keep my blood pressure from accelerating.

"I would love that. I saw the classic 'Halloween' playing at the cinema in town and wanted to see that; I read the book and loved it."

William lifted an eyebrow. "Wow, I love that you're a horror flick kind of girl. Sounds good to me, and maybe we can grab a burger afterward."

I gave him a flirty wink. "It's a date!"

I'm calm and casual about this date, but my insides are exploding with excitement at the thought of spending more time with William.

Sadly, when seeing the group ahead in the distance, I know our walk is coming to an end.

We approach them, still holding hands. Everyone is busy with their conversations; everyone except Tessa. The daggers her eyes are shooting at me tell me that she noticed our hands still intertwined.

Tessa sneers, "It's about damn time! What exactly have you two been doing?"

William rolls his eyes. "Relax, Tessa. It's none of your business, and I'll have you know that I was a complete gentleman the entire time."

My mouth curved into a smile as I looked up at him. "He was."

William's eyes lit up while the corners of his mouth lifted, which caused my heart rate to increase immensely.

The rest of the night I spent getting to know everybody a little better. William stays close by me, and Tessa is sulking off to the side.

"Well, it's getting late, and we all have school tomorrow," Diana announced.

Everyone groans in unison.

"See you in the courtyard in the morning," William said to everyone but was looking straight at me.

"I can't wait," I said, looking right back into those bright green eyes.

Tessa rolls her eyes in disgust, and I don't give a damn!

A/N What's fact or fiction? Post your answers in the comment section, and I'll confirm or deny.