Love That's Honest

Chapter One

Public Encounter

"Today is going to be a good day. No, a great day!" I kept repeating to myself.

I wasn't usually the type to get to school early, but today I just wanted to get it over with. I had plans for tonight that I couldn't stop thinking about, so I figured getting to school ahead of time wouldn't hurt. As I walked down the mostly empty hallways toward my locker, I was surprised to spot Julia, a friend who was almost always late to first period.

"Noah! You're here early." She said, passing by with loud music blaring from her headphones, probably heading to the back of the school where she usually hung out.

"I could say the same about you," I called back, even though she clearly didn't hear me.

She couldn't, but she did notice something. With a smirk and a nod, she gestured toward my hair. Instinctively, I rushed to my locker, fumbling with the lock as I pulled open the door and checked my reflection in the tiny mirror inside. Apparently, the wind on the walk to school had undone all the effort I'd put into taming my hair this morning. Some of the dark brown curls I'd spent forever flattening had rebelliously sprung back into place. I wasn't super vain, but I liked to look at least somewhat presentable—especially for today.

Since I had time to kill before class, I started fixing my hair in the mirror when I heard a group of guys coming down the hall. Their voices were loud, and they were messing around as usual, but I ignored them, too focused on my unruly curls. That is, until one of them accidentally slammed into my locker, the door smacking me hard in the face.

"Ow!" I yelped, clutching my nose as laughter erupted around me. The guy responsible, who had been walking backward while talking to his friends, turned around. He towered over me, his broad shoulders and muscular frame making him look imposing, but that wasn't surprising—he was a senior and a star athlete, and I was only a dorky, little sophomore. His face was all smiles until he saw me, and suddenly, his grin faded.

"Watch out, stupid!" One of the other guys yelled, snapping us both back into the moment.

Dan, the one who had actually bumped into me, stayed quiet. His friends, however, began to surround me. There wasn't much I could do except back up as far as the row of lockers behind me would allow.

"Who are you calling stupid, asshole?" A familiar voice called out.

It was Victor, coming to my rescue as always. Without wasting any time, he stepped in front of me, standing his ground. Dan finally reacted, though he only glared at Victor.

"Let's get out of here," Dan muttered, frustration clear in his voice. He walked down the hall, and the rest of the guys followed him, not giving the situation a second thought.

"Man, I hate... guys like that. Thinking they own the goddamn place," Victor said, shaking his head at me. "You're just lucky I showed up to save your butt again Noah. They would have stuffed you in your own locker, or worse."

I merely chuckled, suddenly not as cheery as I had been earlier. Victor seemed surprised I didn't have anything else to say and gave me a strange look, but I still made no comment. I was ready to just head to class, but couldn't help but swipe the beanie off his head first, exposing his short, dirty blonde hair, before doing so.

"You know you can't wear hats to class, right?" I finally said something to him.

He raised an eyebrow. "Is something wrong?" "You seem a bit... out of it. Did those assholes scare you that much or something?"

"No..." Something was bugging me, but I couldn't tell him what it was. "It's nothing. I'm fine."

"Good," he replied, clearly not buying it. "So, what are you doing tomorrow? I heard about this party in an abandoned warehouse downtown. I thought we could go check it out."

I looked back up at him, realizing how much taller and broader Victor was compared to me. We were both sophomores, but I was just that short and skinny. It hadn't really hit me before how intimidating he might look to other people, especially with the piercings.

"Sorry, can't." I lied. "I have to go somewhere with my parents tomorrow."

"You'd rather spend a Friday night with your parents, than at a party with your best friend?"

"What do you think?" I shot back, taking a second to place his beanie back on his head.

"Fine. Guess I'll catch you later then."

I just smiled and quickly walked off before he could press me any further.

A few moments later, I reached my first class, but stopped short before going inside. A subtle vibration from my pocket made me freeze. I stepped aside to let the other students file in and avoid being noticed by the teacher. Pulling out my phone, I glanced down at the new message.

"Now what..."

During lunch, I waited out in the halls until it was relatively clear. I took out my phone and reread the text I had received earlier. Taking a right from the main hall, I found myself outside two large doors that led to the backstage of the auditorium. I checked the doors and found they were unlocked, even though they weren't supposed to be.

Carefully making sure that no one saw me enter, I stepped inside. I closed the doors behind me and tried to find my way in the dark. Walking further inside, I stopped at the sound of a noise coming from behind me. I wasn't alone, but I wasn't surprised or scared.

Suddenly a pair of large, strong arms attacked me from behind, wrapping themselves around my slim body, pulling me in towards them. The person behind me got closer and held me tightly.

"You got my text." He spun me around so he could see my face in the dim light.

"Yes Dan, I got your text." I answered, leaning in closer to kiss him.