Chapter One:

Love at First Sight?

"Love is the closest thing we have to magic."

Maya Granger

For some very strange reason, West Brighton High School was bustling with more excitement than ever. An athletic body slammed into mine, and I felt my whole world tilt. Just as my behind was about to be introduced to the hallway floor, my arm was caught in a strong grip that kept me from an embarrassing ordeal.

I looked up to my savior, only to scowl. "What are you doing, Ash?"

"Wow, you would think I'd get a thank you for saving your butt. Literally," the handsome brunet holding my arm replied with an amused grin.

I continued to glare at him until I couldn't take it anymore and allowed the grin to take over my face as well. "Thank you for saving my butt, Ashton. Literally," I answered, and his grin widened before he hooked his arm with mine. "But I totally had the situation under control."

He rolled his eyes. "Yeah, right..."

We walked down the hall, arm in arm, gaining some odd stares. Not that us walking together is anything new, however, the people of West Brighton High are still trying to figure out what Golden Boy Ashton West was doing walking with Simple-Nerd Maya.

Ashton West was one of the few friends that I have made ever since moving to Lynchburg, Virginia with my family, which was almost a year ago. I couldn't believe it at first when he approached me. He was the school's golden boy, with looks that girls worship, and a great personality to boot. And of course, the body. So, you can imagine my confusion and shock when he asked me if I wanted to be friends with him-me, plain ol', nerdy Maya. Of course, I was a bit skeptical at first, but as I got to know Ashton West, I discovered we balanced each other out pretty good and our relationship evolved from friends to best friends.

"So, what's up with you?" Ashton asked, looking down at me after high-fiving with one of his friends. "How was your weekend?"

"Ugh, it was horrible!" I sighed with a dramatic drop of my shoulders. "There was this guy who interrupted my Sherlock night by crashing at my place!"

"Really? Should I call out this guy, and you know, tell him to stop bothering you?" I suppressed a smile, as his eyes twinkled with mirth.

"Nah, I can handle him..." I shrugged.

"I don't think anyone can handle, this." At that, Ashton gestured to his body and I rolled my eyes at the obvious confidence he had of his body.

Just then, a pair of giggling girls walked by us and I followed them with my eyes, confused at their giddy behavior. I looked around and saw almost all the girls were in some sort of good mood, and that the usually inappropriately dressed ones, were dressed even more inappropriately and with more makeup on than usual as well.

"What is going on around here?" I questioned, passing by a group of excited jocks talking about something I couldn't really make out.

"You didn't hear?"

"Hear what?" I looked up to Ashton's 6'2, silently demanding an answer.

"Ryder O'Connel is coming back." He answered, one side of his mouth tilting up.

"Ryder O'Connel?" I clarified, my eyes widening in surprise. When Ashton nodded, I continued, "You mean, your best friend that got expelled right before I moved here? The one who got caught smoking on school grounds, made a teacher rage quit, and knocked the principal's..." I trailed off, then looked around, before lowering my voice to a whisper, "...the one who knocked the principal's wig off on purpose? That Ryder O'Connel?"

"Well you just know everything about him, don't you?"

"Well, you never shut up about him," I answered, which was true. The only reason I know who Ryder O'Connel is was all thanks to Ashton West. Unfortunately...or fortunately, when I enrolled at West Brighton High, he was already kicked out. "Wait." I stopped walking, halting Ashton as well. "If he got expelled, how is he coming back?"

Ashton shrugged, then something up ahead caught his eye and made him smile. "I dunno. But he's back..."

I followed his gaze and saw the most beautiful man I have ever seen in all my seventeen years of being alive. There, coming out of the principal's office, dressed in some black jeans, a gray shirt that stretched across the expanse of his wide chest, topped off with a black and white letterman jacket, walking down the hallway and parting the student body like the Red Sea, was who I guessed to be the one and only, Ryder O'Connel.

Every pair of eyes were on him, the girls eyeing him with varying stages of desire, while the guys watched his every move with either awe, envy or hate. Even when he ran his hand through his shiny black hair, their eyes followed every twitch his obvious bicep muscles made-girls mainly, but there were a few guys too.

Not that I blame them.

Even I can look away from him. He stood as tall as Ashton, with naturally tan skin, a chiseled jaw, prominently straight nose, full lips, black eyes rimmed with long, thick lashes, and straight brows that matched the color of his hair. He walked with a confidence that I could only wish to have, and when his eyes landed on Ashton a drool-worthy smile made its way to his lips. I have a weakness for smiles, and I'm a sucker for attractive ones.

The students blocking his path towards us moved aside when they saw he was headed in our direction. With every step he took closer to us the faster my heart hammered against my chest. And when he and Ashton did that weird guy handshake-slash-hug thing, I momentarily died. No joke. He was even hotter up close!

Girl, get your crap together!

"How are you doing, man?" Ashton asked once they finished the handshake-slash-hug thing.

"Great. Never been better," Ryder answered with a smirk, and I swear the majority of the females around us fainted. Including me, mentally that is. However, when his eyes strayed to me, everything stopped.

It was like my body went into automatic, and tuned out everything and everyone around me, except for the handsome, sexy, hot boy standing in front of me. And that was when I realized that his eyes weren't black, but rather, a black-blue. A beautiful shade of black-blue, like the midnight sky void of any stars.

God, I sounded like a love-struck school-girl.

His grin widened, and his eyes twinkled with excitement. I watched in a daze as he reached for my hand, brought it up to his lips and pressed a tender kiss to the tips of my fingers, sending a bolt of electricity through my body, awakening butterflies that I didn't know resided in my stomach. My eyes widened at the contact, and his grin morphed into a soft smile. Then, he said the words that broke whatever spell was cast on me. "It's love."

Everything came back, and I could see everyone―including Ashton, watching us with wide eyes, and when his words registered in everyone's mind, all at once, their jaws dropped, and I swear mine reached the floor.

"Huh?" I asked.

"Huh?" Ashton asked.

"Huh?!" The whole student body asked in unison.

Ryder looked around, my hand still in his as his face wore a puzzled look. "What?" He asked, looking to Ashton who was still in shock. When Ashton didn't answer, he continued, "It's love at first sight."

And that ladies and gentlemen, triggered it, and before I knew it, my fist connected with Ryder's jaw, sending him to the floor, surprising myself and everyone else.

Dear God, help me...

***

"...I understand why Mr. O'Connel is in here on his first day, but you, Miss Granger?"

I stared at Mr. Poulsen in irritation, wanting nothing more than to knock his wig off. However, I was already in deep trouble, wouldn't want to add to my punishment.

But, I wasn't sorry at all. Anyone who says, It's love at first sight without even knowing the other person's name deserves a punch to the face.

My knuckles throbbed in pain, and sitting next to me in the principal's office, was Ryder himself, holding an icepack to his left jaw. As Mr. Poulsen went on and on about discipline and school regulations, I stole a glance at Ryder, only to find him already staring at me, a small smile on those kissable lips.

I quickly looked away, as I felt the heat rise up in my cheeks.

What the heck are you doing getting all flustered for, Maya?! my brain scolded, Glare him to ashes! He's not good for Heart!

You gotta admit though, Brain, Heart said, He is absolutely gorgeous! I wonder what his lips will feel like...

You are so reckless!

And you are-

"Three days suspension for both of you." Mr. Poulsen's voice interrupted the mental battle my two most important organs were having, his decision making my mouth drop open.

"But-"

Mr. Poulsen held a hand up. "I believe it is only fair, Miss Granger, you did punch him."

"Then why the hell am I suspended?" Ryder finally spoke, finally looking away from me to glare at Mr. Poulsen.

"Because I'm sure whatever you did deserve that punch."

I mentally cheered for Mr. Poulsen. But I was still very upset with his decision. It's my first time receiving a suspension, and I don't know how my parents would react to that. I don't even want to think about it.

Mr. Poulsen reached for his phone,"I'll call your parents to pick you up."

"Don't bother Mr. Poulsen," I said, stopping him. "Both of them are at work, and I can take a bus home."

"My folks really don't give a shi-" At Mr. Poulsen's glare, Ryder trailed off, before clearing his throat. "I mean, there's no need to call them. They don't mind."

With a wary look, Mr. Poulsen studied the two of us before nodding his head. "Okay, but if anything happens to the both of you, it's out of my hands."

"Yes, sir," I said, and Ryder only nodded.

"You may go."

Ryder placed the ice-pack on Mr. Poulsen's desk, as I grabbed my bag and stood up. We both started for the door, only Ryder got to it first―curse him for his long legs―and opened it wide. He stepped aside, and grinned at me, "After you, Miss Granger."

I rolled my eyes and stomped past him and into the empty hallway. I am very much still mad at him for his actions in the hallway. I saw the way the girls were glaring at me, and I'm sure it will take more than three days for the gossip mill to find something else to talk about. And then it will probably take the rest of the school year before I stop getting hate-filled glares, and all of this is happening because of him!

Ryder O'Connel.

Hurried foot-steps followed after me, but I ignored them, thinking it was just some late kid running to class. Oh, how wrong I was. Ryder came swaggering next to me with that annoying grin of his. "So," he said, after a few seconds of silence I had no intention of breaking. "Where are you headed to?"

"Don't you have anything else better to do than follow me?" I asked, my voice dripping with annoyance as I gave him a side-way glare.

"And she finally speaks to me!" He exclaimed, and I was sure the students in the classrooms we passed by heard. "We haven't officially been introduced, my name's Ryder O'Connel." He stuck his hand out to me, which I ignored. "What's yours?" He put his hand down when he figured I wouldn't shake it.

"Didn't you hear Mr. Poulsen say it?" I gave him another annoyed glance.

"Nope," he shook his head, "I was too busy watching you."

I made a face, before turning fully to look at him, "Dude, that's just creepy!"

He simply grinned. "So what's your given name, Miss Granger?"

"Maya," I answered after a couple seconds of thinking.

"Maya..." he drawled, then nodded to himself. "I like it!"

Silence enveloped us as we continued to make our way to the school front doors. I ignored his compliment. I didn't need it anyway. Then, Ryder started humming a familiar tune. Forgetting that I was angry at him, I excitedly exclaimed, "You know that song?!"

Ryder looked at me as if I had just grown a second head. "Everyone knows that song."

"I don't think so," I shook my head, remembering asking Ashton if he knew Hey Daydreamer, by Someday Dream, and his answer was a no. I got the same answer from my friends back in L.A. It was probably because I had a weird taste in music.

"Seriously?!" Ryder exclaimed with eyes wide in genuine shock.

"Yeah..." I nodded, then shook my head. "Honestly, no."

"Oh..." he continued humming, and this time, I hummed along in harmony. From the corner of my eye, I could see him grinning, obviously liking the fact that I'm joining him, but I didn't stop. Nothing comes between me and my jam. Not even Ryder O'Connel―someone who I am supposed to be furious with at the moment.

By the time we reached the school parking lot, we were full on singing, Ryder's voice surprising me. He was pretty good. I'm sure if he ever joined America's Got Talent, he'd win. But that's just me exaggerating because nobody else in my family can sing even if it was to save their lives.

"You're good!" Ryder complimented, just as we finished and I accepted it, smiling my thanks.

"You're not bad yourself," I sniffed, trying to sound unimpressed and haughty.

He grinned again. "Where you headed to, Maya?"

"To the library," I answered, stuffing as much of my hands that I can into my jean pockets. "I refuse to waste my time on anything else when I should be studying. So..."

"I'll take you then."

"Oh, no, it's alright," I shook my head vigorously. "I can take the bus-Hey!"

Ryder was suddenly dragging me by the arm deeper into the rows of student vehicles. "Come on, you can save money." He paused. "Plus, I need new reading material."

"You read?" I asked incredulously.

He gave me a look of fake hurt. "You wound me, Maya. You are obviously stereotyping me. You'd be surprised by how many bad boys love to read."

"And you're one of them?" I raised a brow as we stopped in front of a shiny, large, black Chevy pickup, with tinted windows.

"I thought I just told you that I need new reading material." Ryder reached into his pant's pocket and pulled out a key fob, then pushed the unlock button. There was a soft click before he opened the passenger side for me. I looked suspiciously into the truck then back at Ryder. He rolled his eyes at me. "There's nothing that would bite you in there." He said before I slowly climbed in.

I must've been too slow because the next thing I knew, I felt a hand push my behind and I landed on the leather seat, front first with an oomph. I heard Ryder snicker before he shut the door. Thankfully, I didn't get stuck between the door and the seat. That would've been a problem.

I sat upright, my cheeks heating up at the fact that my butt had just been touched just as Ryder got into the driver's seat, still giggling to himself, prompting me to glare lasers into the side of his incredibly, handsome face. Stop! Bad, Maya! He may be handsome, and hot, and sexy, but he is still the school bad boy! A bad combination for your heart! And he got you suspended!

Ryder started the engine of his truck, bringing me out of my thoughts. He turned to look at me and I made sure to continue glaring. He grinned mischievously before leaning over to me. My eyes widened and I slowly started backing up. He continued closing in and I continued leaning away until my head hit the window and I had nowhere else to run. Ryder stopped with his nose only a few inches away from mine, his breath ― a combination of orange, and mint ― fanned my face, that annoying grin still intact and the mischievous glint in his eyes intensifying.

He started leaning in again, and I did the only logical thing to calm my racing heart; screw my eyes shut and turn away. I heard him chuckle, followed by the sound of a soft click and some shuffling papers and plastic. I risked a peek and found myself staring at the side of Ryder's face as he sorted through enveloped CDs in his glove compartment.

When he found what he was looking for, he backed away and I sighed in relief, emitting another chuckle from him. I glared again as I righted myself in the seat and pulled on the seat belt, as he pushed the CD into the truck's player.

"You did that on purpose, didn't you?" I continued to glare accusingly at the back of his head as he was bent down, pressing buttons on the player. "Maybe," he replied teasingly, just as Hey Daydreamer filled the truck.

My mood instantly lightened, and Ryder rolled down our windows, smiling at me. I pretended not to notice and sat back into the leather seat, getting comfortable. He let out another chuckle before he pulled on his own seatbelt, put the truck into Drive, and maneuvered us out of the school parking lot.

After a quick stop at the gas station, we were on our way to the library, armed with junk food that Ryder promised he could sneak in, when he said, "Ya' know, Maya?"

"Hm?"

"We have a whole lot more of similarities than you care to admit."

I didn't answer back, instead, I thought back to what I know of him so far. It hit me like an eighteen-wheeler when I realized the truth of his words. We liked the same song, we both like to read, and when we made a detour at Sheetz for some gasoline and snacks, we had chosen the same chips.

We did have some similarities.

But that doesn't mean a single thing, I told myself.