"So this ain't the end, I saw you again today. Had to turn my heart away. You smiled like the Sun, kisses for everyone. And tales, it never fails!" -Heart, Barracuda

Big Hair.

I think I was the only girl standing near the lockers that hadn't used three cans of Aqua Net to cement their bangs and curls. I couldn't help the giggle that sprung from my lips at the thought of all of those heads bobbing as they talked, hair not moving like it was an alien entity leaching the life force out of them, attached like a sucker fish.

"Rachel Palmiero?" a sweet voice asked, pulling me out of my observations.

I turned around and met with a pair of vivid blue eyes, her long brown curls tumbled down past her shoulders, almost landing over her breasts. Thick brown eyebrows and plush pink lips completed her perfectly round face.

Before I had a chance to respond, she added, "Hi! I'm Cecelia Downey and I've been asked to show you around. I absolutely love your hair!" She wrapped her fingers around one of the thick highlighted curls that hung down from my teased ponytail.

I shifted my weight from foot to foot and smiled awkwardly. She extended her hand and flashed a wide smile that could have rivaled the Grand Canyon.

"Hi. Yeah, I'm Rachel." I shook her hand; her silky skin was warm but not in a creepy handshake kind of way.

I found myself checking her out further. The white Wham! t-shirt and tight jeans, along with a bright, neon pink bow in her hair, matched her bubbly personality. She was very stylish, but there was an air of innocent cuteness to this Cecelia; along with a warm personality that invited you in and cradled you in a blanket of sincere friendship.

"So, you're a Junior right?" she asked and I nodded. "That's cool. I'm a Junior too and that means we'll have a whole 'nother year to hang out together, what with you starting so late in the year." She grabbed my hand and yanked me alongside her, throwing her arm over my shoulder as we travelled down the hall. "This is awesome! We have like almost every class together. I think you and me will be awesome friends in no time."

"So you've lived here all your life?" I asked and she smiled fondly.

"Yeah, I live over on Downey Street. I know, I know... Cecelia Downey from Downey Street. I've heard it all my life," she remarked with a chuckle, as she maneuvered up a set of stairs that were lined with bright posters advertising a winter dance. "So, I hear your dad is Ronan Palmiero. Man, I bet that's wild."

"How do you know about my dad?" I asked, causing Cecelia to come to an abrupt stop near a line of lockers at the top.

"Oh, honey, you're in hardcore club country here in Northridge. You've got the Assassins over by the cove and the Devils out by the city limits to Ramport. You're club royalty, Rachel, that means you have no secrets." She swung her index finger from side to side as a sort of amused warning. "Plus, my boyfriend told me to keep an eye on you as a favor."

I laughed, highly amused that clubs were already assigning people to watch my every move. "Really now? And why exactly should I be watched?" I fiddled with the strap on my blue backpack.

"Not like that, silly. My Barrett just knows your dad through his MC and he didn't want your first day here to be lonely. Plus, I'm glad he asked. I really like you, Rachel."

"Is your boyfriend around here somewhere?" I looked down the hall as if he would magically appear before our eyes, like a rabbit popping out of a magician's hat.

"Barrett's long graduated; he's twenty-three. I know what you must be thinkin', but I've always known he would be my Barrett." She flashed a small diamond engagement ring in my direction, and I simply nodded unsure of what to really think.

Was love that simple? It never seemed that way for me. Love always felt somewhat forced, like it was mandatory for all girls to swoon over some rugged guy; then be swept off their feet in a vortex of instant heart wrenching, love sick, body tingling gratification. I never felt stuff like that — stuff like the movies and books sold to young girls and women everywhere. I was always the one standing outside of the "love group" begging to be included, but it never happened.

Did I love Lex Slater? Sure.

I had known Lex most of my collective life. It was expected of me to love him and I did; but, it wasn't anything forceful like the heart stopping typhoons I read about in romance novels. It felt natural to love Lex— almost expected, predictable. It didn't consume me or sweep me off my feet, though. That kind of love seemed like it would be dangerous and I had enough danger already in my life.

Cecelia kept talking, but honestly, I had zoned out about half way through. I was lost in a river of wondering what it would feel like to be in love like that. Deep down inside somewhere, I wanted to be swept away by someone. I wanted my heart to ache with every moment they were gone. I wanted them to be the first thing to cross my mind in the mornings, or the person I daydreamed about at odd intervals.

Warm breath coated my ear, causing my body to tremble, as an imposing presence settled behind me. A deep, rugged voice softly whispered, "Hello, Queenie."

Pulled out of my daydream-like trance. Instinct took over and my hand flew behind me, clutching the firm wrist that had settled on my shoulder. Pivoting backwards, I leaned my body weight forward, propelling the mass of muscle up and over my shoulder. A massive thud echoed through the busy hallway, as he slammed against the ground with a harsh huff.

My hand snapped up to my mouth in horror, as those decadent, pine green eyes stared back at me in slight shock.

"Oh, my god! I'm so sorry!" I shouted in panic, as I prepared myself for the Adonis in the leather cut and sweatshirt, to unleash his god-like fury upon me.

Wide eyed, he lay sprawled out across the tiled floor, as I reached out my small hand to help him up. A hearty laugh escaped his thick lips and with a solid tug, he pulled me down on top of him. A shocked yelp sprung from deep inside, as our eyes connected, and I felt my breath hitch in my chest.

His large hand wrapped around the back of my neck, as his lips connected with mine without restraint. Smothered in a new type of feeling, I felt like I was drowning as the pressure of his kiss consumed me. Blinking rapidly in disbelief when he pulled away, I opened my mouth several times to object to him taking such a liberty, but in reality, all I wanted was for him to do it again.

I wanted him to never stop kissing me. If I could've hired him to just walk around with me all day, kissing me, then I would rob a bank to pay his salary.

Instead of objecting, I whispered the words, "Again please."

He softly laughed in amusement, as he pulled my face close, once again, and softly pressed his lips to mine. Another tidal wave of tingling swept over me, as his thick tongue licked at the seam of my lips. My eyes snapped open and I pulled back suddenly, catching the amused look on Cecelia's face as she watched us still lying in a crumbled heap on the floor of my new high school.

Scrambling up off the gorgeous boy, I brushed off my shirt and found that his eyes gravitated towards my chest, following the movements of my hands as they swept across the fabric.

"Hello, Kai," Cecelia chimed in, breaking the heavy cloud of some sort of foreign tension that had settled between me and the previously unnamed boy.

Kai. Just his name on my inner lips was sultry. Kai. It rolled off my every thought and I desperately slapped the inner me several times, begging her to focus and not start acting like an absolute fool. Kai...

"Hey, CeCe, sorry I didn't see you there," he said in a deep voice that was like fingernails of seduction across my skin. I exhaled forcefully a few times, blowing strands of hair from my face in exasperation.

"Sure, you didn't!" She chuckled, as she came to stand next to me, eyeing me up in my disheveled state. Inside, I was an absolute mess, all achy and wanton with the desire to reach out and run my fingers through his long, dark hair. Outside, I probably didn't look any better. Thankfully, Cecelia took the reins and navigated the situation, because I wasn't sure that I could speak coherently. "Kaiulani Heyman, this is Rachel Palmiero... Ronan Palmiero's daughter," she whispered the last part, causing him to snicker.

He reached across the short distance and snatched my hand, bringing it into his personal bubble and affectionately rubbed his thumb across my skin in circles as he tried not to stare.

"We've met, CeCe, but thanks for the introduction. Pleasure is definitely all mine," he admitted, before he released me from his grip. I wanted to say something, anything, to this beautiful boy in front of me, but he interrupted my awkward silence, "I'll be sure seein' you around, Rachel Palmiero."

With a sultry wink, he turned and casually walked down the hall as the bell began to ring. As he ducked into a side classroom, I collapsed against the row of lockers, my skin heating up.

"Oh, my god..." I choked out.

Cecelia stood in front of me, giggling, as she fanned her hand in front of me in delight. "Girl, I think it's safe to assume that you've been officially swept off your feet!" she cooed in excitement, right before she yanked on my arm and hurried us down the hall in the opposite direction.

Was that what it felt like to be caught in a typhoon? If so, I was desperately praying, deep inside me, that when it passed, I wasn't left in ruins.

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A/N: Hey!

I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Don't forget to vote and leave any comments.

I call that being swept off your feet, on both sides *giggles*. Is it a tad bit of insta-something for the two?

Anyone catch who Cecelia Downey from Downey Street is???!

<3 Amina