5| Collision Course

"The Story of Us is about running into someone I had been in a relationship with at an awards show, and we were seated a few seats away from each other. I just wanted to say to him, 'Is this killing you? Because it's killing me.' But I didn't. Because I couldn't. Because we both had these silent shields up."

~Taylor Swift, American singer-songwriter

"Pascal!" came an annoying voice, and I gritted my teeth in frustration. "How's my favorite girl doing?"

"She was doing great until you showed up," I said, spinning around to face Todd Fletcher in his sweaty glory. He'd probably just finished practice.

"Nah, I just came here to tell you that something pretty shitty happened," he said, scratching the back of his neck. My forehead crinkled and I motioned for him to continue. "Ashton tried to punch me senseless. He thinks we're, um... getting it on. You may want to clarify that before everyone thinks your reputation as a good girl is gone."

There was only one thing that popped out in that sentence. "He tried to beat you up!?" I yelled, feeling furious. No one was allowed to—

What, the heck. What was wrong with me? Ashton could do whatever he wanted to Todd! Why did this annoy me so much? Probably because Ashton was doing it for me. Yeah, that was probably the case.

"No," Fletcher said, shaking his head. "Well, yeah, he tried to beat me up. I just beat him to it," he paused, and then grinned. "DID YOU HEAR THAT AMAZING PUN? I'm a legend."

I rolled my eyes. "What exactly did you do?" I asked, biting my lip. I felt bad for Ashton. Maybe I should go talk to him or something?

"So basically, he was all like, 'Hey bro don't touch my girl or I'll whoop yo' ass,' and I was like, 'Ah dangit bring it on, she isn't your personal doll you Ash-hole!' and that set him off and he tried to punch me and I ended up twisting his arm over and he fell to the floor, and he was all like, 'Bitch you don't deserve her go sit on the streets you fuck-face,' and I got really mad because if anyone doesn't deserve you, it's him, because you're way too good for him I mean you're actually hot and he looks like a lion crossed with a monkey on steroids! So I just beat him up for treating you like shit. And that's about it."

He shrugged like it was no big deal that he got into a fight for me.

I didn't know whether to cry or feel honored. "What the shit," I said, shaking my head. "You didn't have to do that, you idiot!"

He shrugged. "I wanted to. You don't really have anyone else in this entire school on your side, you know. I don't have anyone either. We might as well lend each other a hand."

"What, so just because you have my phone and I can't say no to you, we're suddenly a team?" I deadpanned, placing my hands on my hips.

He laughed. "That was the plan, yeah," he joked. "I'm just kidding. I genuinely admire you. I hate your guts, but I admire you all the same. There's something about Cecilia Archer that makes you want to actually get to know her."

"Hmm," I said, a sarcastic lilt to my tone. "Too bad, I wish I could say the same, Fletcher."

He rolled his eyes. "You are the epitome of ungratefulness. I just saved your sorry ass from getting shamed by your ex and here you are, dissing me no matter what."

I pouted at him. "Come on, you know it's going to take a lot more than being my knight in shining armor for me to compliment you."

He shrugged. "You know you love me. It's in some deep, deep part of you that you just haven't managed to discover yet, that's all."

I mimicked his shrug. "I'm no archeologist, so I'll probably never discover that bit. Thanks for the insight though, Maximus."

He started laughing. "So you're Pascal, and I'm Maximus? What about this whole talk of us not being a team if we appear in the same movie?"

I blushed. "I'll think of something better," I said, biting my tongue.

"Oh, and by the way," he said, fishing into his pocket. "Here's your phone. I have everything I want anyway," he said, and he winked. "You have some nice photos of yourself on there..." he trailed off in faux thought, before shaking his head. "But I prefer the real thing."

He winked at me again, and I shook my head in disgust. "You are a bad, bad flirt. I've been hit on many times, and you are by far the worst."

He smirked. "Well, I might as well be the best at being the worst," he said. "It keeps a lasting impression, you know."

"It's cute how you think I even care enough to have an impression of you to begin with," I teased, swatting his cheek lightly.

He shrugged. "I just know that from now on, your life will be divided into two halves: pre Todd Fletcher, and Todd Fletcher. No post Todd Fletcher, because I'll always be there."

I gagged. "Yeah, I'd rather not. Spending the rest of my life with my bratty sister seems more appealing. Forget that, making out with Naomi seems more appealing, and I hate her!" It was supposed to be a joke, but Todd stiffened suddenly. He looked very far off.

"Todd?" I asked, snapping a finger in front of his face. "Earth to Naveen?"

He grinned. "So now I'm a hot frog? Thanks, Pascal. At least we're the same phylum now."

I rolled my eyes. "Why'd you look so distant?" I prodded.

He shrugged. "It's nothing," he said, brushing it aside. So now it was obviously a big deal. I wasn't the typical kids who let things go after I'd picked up on something. Sure, I didn't outright bug them for details, but I'd have my sources.

He proceeded to hand me his phone. "Thanks," I said, hugging it. "I still hate you."

He shook his head. "You really don't. That's just your way of telling yourself that you're not falling madly in love with me."

I acted like I was sticking a finger down my throat. "So," I said, after placing my phone securely in my pocket. "No Round Three? I thought every game had three rounds."

He smiled. "Don't jinx it, Princess. We don't want anything scary happening." He then looked around and scratched the back of his neck. "Anyway, I need to head out now. I'll catch you later, Pascal."

I smiled a little without being able to help it, and began walking lightly forward. I obviously wasn't paying attention to where I was going, because I crashed right into someone.

"Oof," I said, the momentum throwing me off. I stumbled backwards and looked up, only to see Henry staring back at me.

"Cee!" he said, a pained smile on his face. "You were with... Todd?"

Yeah. Todd and I were from such different worlds that even my principal could tell something was definitely off. Our whatever- was- going- on thing was just not right. It was written in the stars. Boys like him needed to go to military school to get his priorities in order and girls like me needed to get a good degree from Harvard. That was just how it worked. That was just how society wanted things to be. There were no differences. The bad kid and the girl with the perfect reputation ever even being seen together? That was a farce. It only happened in books. Real life simply didn't permit such scandalous events.

"Um," I said, scrambling for an answer. "I forgot my math homework under my table, and he has class after me so he gave it to me," I blubbered.

He nodded, before bending down conspiratorially. "So... did you find the boy who's been spray painting? Personally, I had my bets on the Fletcher boy, but—"

"No!" I exclaimed, and he looked a little taken aback. I was usually calm and collected. Not a stuttering mess. That wasn't Cecilia Archer at all. "I mean, it's not him. I couldn't get a good picture, sorry. I had to go away because the person saw me. I didn't get a good look. It wasn't Todd, though. He's unmistakable, even in the dark."

Henry's eyebrows shot up. "Are you and this boy close? Cee, he's no good," he chided.

"I'm not dating Todd Fletcher!" I all but screamed out. "I just hate how everyone is always suspecting him of doing things just because he looks different! Just because he sulks around, mopes and has this brooding personality doesn't mean he's a bad guy! God, give him a break. Let him think in peace. If he wants to wear a goddamn leather jacket, let him wear a goddamn leather jacket without being judged and stereotyped for it!"

Henry looked taken aback by my outburst. "Cee, you've had a long day. Why don't you head home or something and cool it off, yeah? I'll see you tomorrow at nine in my office."

I rolled my eyes. Cecilia Archer was probably now corrupted. Henry was going to go and have a long talk with his beloved about my behavioral issues and she'd then call my mother, who'd act like she actually gave a shit about me for once in her life.

My phone began ringing, and I answered it. It was an unknown number. "Hey," came a voice, and I smiled involuntarily.

"Arohi, hey," I replied. "How did you get my number?"

"I asked your crush for it; Todd Fletcher, he said?" she replied, acting all smooth and casual to piss me off. I didn't give her the satisfaction of a reaction. "Also, please call me Ro. Arohi is so long."

I smiled, tersely. "Hmm, that's interesting, Ro," I acknowledged, not really caring anymore about whether she thought I liked Todd or not.

"Dammit, you're not triggered," she joked.

I shook my head in response, even though I knew she couldn't see me. "I know this really cute café downtown... It's called Double Bean, you can ask anyone for directions because I'm really bad at giving them; you'll probably end up in Perth or something with my help and not even realize you'd crossed the ocean. I'll meet you there in fifteen?"

She laughed lightly. "Yeah, sure. I can hitch a ride from one of my cheerleading friends, because I'm currently at my friend Karen's house," she replied.

"Didn't you join today?" I asked, confused. Either she was a lot more social than I'd thought or she wasn't as new as she'd made herself out to seem.

"No, my first day of school was four days ago," she responded. "And don't worry, Miss UUC, I'd heard all about you; you're quite popular."

"UUC?" I asked, confused.

There was a small pause on the other end. "Untouchable Upper Class?" she replied, a cheeky lilt to her tone. "That's what I've saved your number as, sweetie."

I grumbled in frustration. "Meet me there in fifteen minutes. Goodbye."

I began walking forward, my eyes trailed on my phone and an odd smile playing across my lips. Although it would kill me to admit these facts out loud, I'd never been happier since the summer. In his own bizarre way, Todd Fletcher was saving me from thinking about Renné and Arohi may soon become someone I could rely on. Hopefully. I wasn't ready to jump into any lasting friendships yet, but still.

I began walking towards my car. Today was a good day. The sun above was bright, there were no clouds in the sky and the trees were swaying in the wind, and the chilly nip of winter was biting down on my ears and nose.

I didn't think anything could spoil a day like this.

I continued on with a smile on my face, before I bumped right into someone. No, bumped was putting it lightly; I full on collided with someone and fell backwards, the person falling with me. Second time in one day. My head was about to hit the ground, but the person in question put his or her arms around my skull so that there was no impact. I fell straight though, feeling an immense pressure across my abdomen.

And suddenly, a pair of lips smashed into mine.

It wasn't a pleasant experience. It was like having your mouth crushed against a lump in an odd angle, and you were completely plastered against the pavement like a squashed pancake. My nose was squished against the person as well, and I could feel their eyelashes against my lids.

Neither one of us moved, but my eyes fluttered open lightly because I was dazed and confused. I was far closer to the person than I'd thought.

A pair of questioning, green eyes stared right back at me.

I raised my fist and swung it over, allowing it to crush against the person's skull. That made him weak enough to be pushed off me, and I got up and screamed.

"TODD FUCKING FLETCHER, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!?" I all but screamed, slapping him across the arm. "That wasn't romantic and my body hurts, and I think my mouth has just encountered disease central. WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!? I thought you'd left!"

He looked as thrown off as me, so I was willing to bet it hadn't been something he'd planned. But I could never be too sure with Todd Fletcher.

"The fuck just happened?" he asked, blinking slightly. "Your lips taste like strawberries."

"You're such a weirdo! What is wrong with you?" I asked, my cheeks incredibly red. I'd blushed thrice in my life before I'd met Todd Fletcher. THRICE.

He snapped his head up suddenly. "Oh shit, we just kissed, didn't we?"

"Hi there, Captain Obvious!" I exclaimed, on the verge of slapping him across the face several times.

"I'm so sorry!" he said, and his cheeks got tinted a little. "Oh God, I'm so sorry. I wasn't looking and—" he began, but I cut him off.

"It's okay," I said, wiping my lips with the back of my hands. I needed to make sure any trace of Todd was gone. "It's my fault, too. What are you doing here?"

His cheeks became even redder. "I was actually looking for you," he said, scratching the back of his neck and avoiding eye contact. "I remembered you didn't have a car yesterday, so I came back to see whether you needed a ride."

Oh, my gosh.

"You can't even let me stay mad at you for two seconds, can you?" I asked, shaking my head slightly. He laughed a little and shrugged in response. "And no, thanks for checking on me. I got my car back from servicing today morning."

He smiled. "Um, okay, sorry again," he said, but his gaze flicked to my lips for a fraction of a second and I self-consciously wiped at them.

"What?" I asked, when he proceeded to stare at me weirdly.

He smiled again. It wasn't his usual smirkiness, it was a big, fat, genuine smile like a kid who'd just been given a free box of popcorn. "No, I was just thinking," he said, and he took a step forward.

Normal girls would have probably been awkward around a guy they accidently crashed into; a full body crash at that. But I'd kissed enough people to not feel uncomfortable about it. For the first time, though, I felt a little weird in my stomach.

"Yeah?" I asked, my breath hitching slightly. Dammit, what was happening to me? Jesus, I needed to get a grip. I coughed. "I mean, yes? What have you been thinking about?"

He raised his eyebrows and shrugged. "I just can't believe I only met you yesterday, that's all."

"Why's that?" I asked, although it was equally hard for me to believe the same. This idiot had just wormed his way into my life a little over twenty four hours ago. It seemed crazy.

"Because I already seem to have forgotten what my life was like before I met you."

tag one person who makes you unable to imagine what life would be like without them (: