I drove through the school gates into the parking lot and got out of my car. Standing there among the crowd, I looked at the building for the first time. It was a wonderful reflection of old and beautiful architecture; the red bricks giving a very grand look to the whole structure.

With my bag hung over my right shoulder, I dug my hands into the pockets of my jeans and walked towards the place which was going to be the locale of my love story; if that's whatever it was.

I thought about my morning incident and a slight smile touched my lips unwillingly. She was going to be here with me. This thought alone was enough to give me shivers. I still couldn't believe that a simple moment as that of setting your eyes upon a specific girl for the first time could cause such a drastic change in one's whole personality. How could it be? I had never been that kind of boy.

I mused over how I had ran to my car earlier like a little boy enjoying an adventure of kite flying. As she had walked towards the bus stop, I had sped my car to school just to be here before she arrived. Most of all, I wondered about the note I had written to her. I had no idea what had got into my mind that I opted to carry on such an act. All this could be named as one and only one thing: insanity. This was slightly shocking to me as I had always been a crazy guy but not totally insane.

But I knew better. I couldn't change my whole self for a girl. No. I knew who I was. Rude, distant, careless and heart breaking rascal who had lost his most precious treasure; his mom and was on the verge of...ugh! I hated the worst secret of my life! I closed my eyes in anguish and ran a hand through my hair. A bad boy. This was me since forever. This was Roxen Dale. And there was no way I was going to forget this!

Anger ran through my veins for being so vulnerable and affected by that girl before. Who was she? A chance and nothing else. I was going to give it a try. No more. Simple as that.

I shook these thoughts out of my mind and headed towards the office, as guided by Dad, for the affirmation of my presence. Only then, I registered the gossips and whispers around me. I noticed the girls shoving each other behind my back; clearly in my admiration. I saw the boys glaring me with hatred; transparently taking me as a competition. All this was not new to me. Both had always been a part of my life and I minded both. Admiration; as a rival to my privacy and competition; as a wastage of my time. I ignored this lot and entered the office.

A middle aged lady was typing something on a computer. I was told to wait so I sat on a chair at the side of the room. A slight ache was beginning to get hold of my head although it was too early for it. I tried to forget it and wandered into the roads of my brain again.

Two things, I had to decide. First, I must keep on writing unexpected notes to her because I wanted to get her as soon as possible. I couldn't afford to waste time because I was bound helplessly in a trap by fate. I clenched my fists at the cruelty of karma. I had to hurry, I knew. I raked my mind for a way to do this frequently. Finally, I hit upon a wonderful plan and felt excited for it as I had something to keep me occupied for sometime.

Now came the second thing, I had to be who I was with her. Why put up a facade of a good boy when I wasn't one? If I was going to drag her through such a trial, she should better know what she was going to put herself up for. No deception, no regrets.

It was another thing, being myself, but my secret was a totally different story. Should I tell it to her and then let her get involved with me or should I just let it be and reveal it to her later? I chose: later. I felt bad because I knew that she would get hurt when informed later but I couldn't trust an unknown girl with the biggest and most bitter truth of my life beforehand. I just couldn't take the risk. I knew better.

I was afraid for two things though. What if she already had a boyfriend? Here, I had two choices, whether to leave her or to snatch her? I chose: leave. I had to. Hadn't I been trapped by my fate, I would have snatched her easily but now, as much hard as I was, I couldn't let a girl fall into a pit of despair just for the sake of the fulfillment of my promise when she already had another option, probably better and flawless than me. She knew better, just like I did.

The second thing which haunted me sometimes despite of my good looks borrowed from my Mom was that: I couldn't MAKE her love me. Love..it's something that just happened, it cannot be forced. Moreover, she was so beautiful herself. Why would she need to fall for a boy like me who carried an ugly secret with him when she had so much better options? I was a bad deal for her and I knew it.

A sharp pang of pain in my head brought me out of my reverie. I took out a painkiller along with my sports water bottle from my bag and gulped it down my throat. Then I looked towards the computer lady. The way she was typing hurriedly threw me into a serious doubt that she remembered my presence anymore so I went to her myself. She took out an old register and affirmed by appearance at the school as a new comer. Then I receded the office, leaving her typing furiously. I rolled my eyes. Nerds suck.

Once out, I took out my guide map and looked up for my class. I had Literature in the morning. Having located the class, I walked to find it with my hands in my pocket. Finally, I would meet her for real. I could hear girls speaking my name in hushed whispers as I passed them in the corridors. I wondered how they knew it. I sighed. Strange ways of a strange world.

Nearing the class, I was again captivated by a dilemma. Should I go inside and sit quietly, letting her notice me by herself or should I make her notice me? I went with the second one because it was more instinctive for me. I couldn't hide my smirk as I entered the class because everyone was going to have an introduction of their new bad boy and I loved this part!

As I entered, curious eyes darted in my direction. I heard gasps and sighs. What's it with the grey eyes? I never understood this. Some boys got hold of their girls and went out of the class. I smirked. Little did they know my reason for being here. Stupid boys hiding their girls from me. I wanted to laugh out loud. But I put up the most serious face ever and looked around. Everyone watched me.

"Everybody, shut your stuff and listen to me." I spoke in a loud voice that stopped movement in the class. Voices numbed to silence. Every pair of eyes watched me except one. I meant to bully them when my eyes got a glimpse of her.

Her head rested on her arm which was dragged out on her desk and her golden hair fell over her shoulder, glowing in the daylight. They reminded me of sunshine. I could see that she had hands free in her ears and she was scribbling something on a paper. Her eyes were closed and she seemed deeply lost in the song. Was she writing with her eyes closed? Curious to know, I walked towards her desk and hovered over her head. There I saw a beautiful piece of art under her hand as her magical fingers worked upon it.

It was a captivating sketch of a couple standing among the walls of glass surrounding them in a marine museum. She had drawn pretty fishes around them. The boy hugged the girl from behind and covered her hand that was spread on a glass trying to touch a goldfish. It all looked fascinatingly beautiful.

For a second, I forgot that I was standing in the class and several eyes beheld my posture. She seemed too much lost in her fantasies that she didn't notice me. Innocence danced on her face lightly. I had never seen such a beautiful girl before. I wanted to get hold of her and hug her hard. A storm of emotions went through me but I gave myself a reality check. She was the last person I wanted to bully but she had left me no choice. I was the spectacle of observation for everyone except her while I badly needed her to notice me. Therefore, forcing my heart into a cage, I pulled out her hands free.

"Don't you hear me?" I demanded calmly.

She opened her eyes instantly. Damn. Pausing for a second, she looked up. Double damn.

A pair of deep and gentle eyes spiraled in honey looked back at me with confusion. Locks of wavy golden hair fell around her face. She had cute pink lips that seemed very soft. Innocence dawned all over her face. If I hadn't seen her scribbling on the paper, I would have thought that she had woken up from a very deep sleep. I realized I was smiling. I noticed that she hadn't spoken a word. I so wanted to hear her voice.

"Did you hear me?" I asked serenely this time, putting up a facade of seriousness as everyone looked at us.

She rolled her eyes (what?? I thought she wasn't that type of girl who rolled her eyes...) , turned the sketch upside down, clearly trying to hide it from me, and stood up. She seemed 5'5 to me. Slightly more or less, I couldn't decide.

"It's obvious I think." She pointed towards the hands free, indicating my absurd interrogation. I mentally slapped my forehead for this stupidity. I was so lost in her soft sugary voice that her next remark took me off guard.

"Besides, I won't listen to you." She had challenge in her eyes. Damn. I never knew a girl so innocent could be so adamant. I had expected her to be passive.

"Why?" Bitterness rolled into my voice. She seemed afraid for a split second but recovered her posture immediately.

"Because I don't want to." She crossed her arms in front of her and raised her chin slightly. Damn! How could someone look so cute while being so stubborn??

"Then you may leave the class." I pointed towards the door. Why was I having difficulty in being a bad boy? I had always been one. I had always bullied. But it seemed as if I was acting than really being a bad boy.

I saw her eyes admire my biceps, thanks to my gym classes back at home. Then she scrutinized my shirt and I comprehended it as a sign of wonder at my only shirt in this cold. Her eyes trailed back to my face and smiling very sweetly, she spoke, "Logically, it's my class so if you have a problem with me, you leave."

She had the most vibrant smile ever. It reflected a beautiful combination with her hair like the radiance of the sunlight.

I felt amused. Apparently, she didn't know it was my class too. I could have snapped it back at her but I couldn't help smiling. I wanted to tease her, the reason behind this awkward desire being unknown. So, I snatched the sheet of paper from the desk.

"Would you like to show us what you just sketched?" I teased. Besides, I wanted to hold the sketch close to my eyes and observe it thoroughly.

She seemed aghast at my intrusion into her private stuff and snatched it back. Then being very stern she said, "That's none of your business!"

Fury grasped my heart. How could she speak like that to me when I had spent several moments thinking about her? How could she treat me like this when I had went through infinite conflicts and dilemmas in my heart, just because of her? How could she? I clearly forgot that she had nothing to do with all of it at that moment. I forgot that I was no one to her. Possessiveness took hold of me and bending forward such that my face was inches from her, chewing every word, I spoke in a deep voice, "You'll see what business I have with you, Miss Claire."

With that, I turned around and left.

Author's note:

Hi Imaginators! :) So, here's the longest chapter up til now. I hope I made up for the late update. I am really sorry for it. I don't have writer's block..so don't worry about it ever. I was just occupied a lot with my studies and Literature stuff. Also, this chapter was a bit difficult to write as I had to refer a lot to the third chapter aka "Business" for the same dialogues and stuff. I hope I did it right. If not, then pardon me. :)
Also, Gracias for 2K reads! I am really very thankful to you all for your support and motivation. I couldn't have done it without you all. ♥
Enjoying the book? If yes, Thankyou. :') If no, I am so sorry for it. :( Do comment and let me know what you people want and what I need to improve. I'll be glad to know. :)
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Much love, Hazel ♥