Paige

Chapter 1

It was a brisk September morning. I groaned as I flung my feet off my bed and pounded my alarm to stop its annoying beeping sound. I rubbed my heavy eyes as I looked over at Lilly, my Great Dane, who was shivering at the end of my bed, her ears perked up when she saw me stand in front of her. She moved to the spot where I was laying down and curled up on my pillow, my body heat still trapped in it.
I scratched her behind the ears and got dressed, the smell of bacon motivating me to get ready.
"Good morning!" My mom said as I walked out of my room and down the stairs. Her dimples popping out of her face like flowers.
"Hey mom." I said back. I looked over at the dining room table. I saw my step dad, George, pounding down the bacon like a vacuum. "Don't eat it all!" I shouted as I grabbed what was left.
"Sorry, I need a lot of energy for my job today."
Hah, don't you got enough... I thought staring at his pot belly. I don't even know why my mom was married to that slob who worked at McDonalds, and Burger King on weekends. I didn't know what happened to my actual dad. Mom said he was hit by a car before I was born, but I didn't know if she was lying or not.
"So... Are you excited for your first day as a senior?!" My mom shouted as I ate the last piece of bacon on the plate.
"Yeah." I said with my mouth full. It was true, it was my last year at Eastport High in Long Island. I was very excited to go back, but also worried, I applied for a college and I would be getting a letter back any day now. If I didn't get accepted, my future was ruined. I planned on becoming a veterinarian and that NYU is the best school for it.
"I should get going Mom, I love you." I said as I threw my coat on and grabbed my backpack.
"Bye! Have a good day!" She said cheerfully. My mom was always in a good mood.
I went to grab my boots when a familiar fluff ball was sleeping on top of them. My cat, Flame, looked up from her sleep and slightly meowed to say good morning.
"Good morning baby!" I said as I stroked her back. I gently scooted her off my shoes and slipped them on. Outside my door was the bus stop sign, and I heard the familiar engine roar from down the street.
When the bus came to my stop, a few of my teenage neighbors and I walked up the steps. The familiar scent of pencil lead and chewed gum wafted up my nose. I spotted my two best friends, Carly and Jess sitting near the back. Their faces brightened when they saw me, they waved, I waved back.
"Hey Paige!" They said as I sat down next to them.
"Hey girls." I said with a smile. Carly had her large curly hair in a pony tail and wore a bright pink tank top you could see from space. Jess was dressed in her regular black boots and leather jacket, her bright red hair tied in a messy bun, they looked like total opposites.
"Ok I know I'm rushing with this," Said Carly, "but I heard that homecoming is in a week! They started football season over the summer and are having homecoming early! We have to get our dresses!"
"And our dates." Said Jess with a huge sigh. "Me and Paige don't have anybody to go with!"
"Oh you guys will be fine," said Carly with an even bigger sigh, " just ask Jared! I know he likes you! I'm going with Matt, my boyfriend. Paige? Who are you gonna ask?"
I wasn't listening, a strange boy who I had never seen just walked up the steps of the bus. His eyes glowing like a sparkling sky, brilliant blue. I could easily get lost in them. We met eye contact and I let out a small gasp and then a squeal.
He gasped too.
It was almost as if the world stopped moving, his face was perfect. His gorgeous eyes complimented his blonde hair, which was spiked up and away from his perfectly shaped face.
"Hello! Earth to Paige!" I heard my name and fell from his gaze. Jess was staring at me confused, along with Carly, who was glaring at me like I had just swallowed a walrus or something.
"What? Oh, sorry. I don't want to go with anybody." I said.
"Oh, well... You will find someone! I know you will!" Said Carly.
When we got to the school, it was pure chaos. People were rushing everywhere with confused looks, trying to find their new classes, Cheerleaders were doing backflips in the hallways, and plenty of football players. I lost my friends in the madness, but I didn't want to waste my time looking for them, so I just went to find my locker.
By the time I got there and was ready for first hour, the halls were almost deserted. A few people were still walking around. A group of football players were throwing the ball to each other. I was just about to walk into math when something hit the back of my head... Hard.
"Oh shit!" I heard a deep voice yell. I dropped to the floor and my vision started to blur. My head started to throb painfully, I touched my head and there was red on my fingers. The football players grabbed the ball that had hit me and ran off, not wanting to get into trouble. As I was just about to pass out, a figure ran to my side. His shining blue eyes danced in my head as I blacked out.