Lets Pretend

Chapter 1

His eyes were just filled with joy and prosperity. I couldn't get enough of his look. The strong smell of his cologne got to me and made my body shiver, as in his smile, it was the sexiest I had ever seen in my short existence. He moved his head towards me as I stepped on a branch. His eyes met my shocked face as he let out a small chuckle, which embarrassed me in some way.

My first reaction was to act ordinarily and giggle, but it was too late. Dan Russell was not facing me anymore. His eyes were glued to this girl. I couldn't see her face but I knew she was my age or so. He stared at her as if she was a beautiful-abnormal creature sent from heaven.

I was used to this. I was used to being ignored by Dan. I was used to stare at him as he flirted, stared, or even kissed other girls. Dan Russell seems like a nice guy, I know he is. He's not that type of guy who doesn't give a shit about life. He cares for people, he even volunteers for the homeless across the street where I live in. It was there where I first saw him; I remember his strong and marked arms hugging a little girl with no mother, no home, living a miserable life at this place. A tear ran down his face as he hugged him and it was this sensitivity that made me want to cuddle him all day long.

I dreamed of a life with this boy. I dreamed with myself waking up to his kisses and eating his made-with-love breakfast on bed. Who can judge a 16-year-old girl for dreaming?

The bell for my last period rang and I headed straight to my Art class. I took a seat next to Sarah Craig. Sarah is a lovely girl, rumor says she lost both her parents in a car accident. I have spoken to her few times, just to ask her the time, or similar topics. She looked different today, as if she didn't get sleep last night. Dark purple circles rested beneath her pale eyes. Her golden hair was a total mess; at least she tried to simulate this by putting it up in a bun. I wanted to know the story behind this mess of a person; in fact I was going to know as soon as she finished organizing her materials. Curiosity killed the cat but it sure didn't kill me.

"Harsh night?" I asked not to seem very rude.

As she turned to face me, a bruise in her right cheek was discovered. I hadn't noticed this before I spoke to her.

"Harsh family" she answered kind of harshly without doubting.

That was wrong. How could her family do that to her? Was it her adoptive family? Her grandparents? I wanted to ask more, but I was too intimidated to ask.

Art class was short but complete. Very well, art class was my favorite of all classes. I adore all kinds of art, from Picasso to street graffiti. I enjoy watching beautiful art pieces, not to mention I enjoy making art as well. I've been working on a special piece lately. It is the projection of all my feelings this year. The left side of the piece is filled with what seems like love, love I feel for Dan, my family, friends. The bottom right finds itself covered in hurtful images that represent my hurtful past. The upper right corner is waiting to be filled with any new feeling that decides to full fill me for the rest of the year.

As I walked out the class I headed straight to the cafeteria. The smell of raw meatballs with aged potatoes filled my nostrils. A sour odor came out from the garbage I walked past by. Flies flew around this vile dumpster. Thank god I brought my own pb&j sandwich.

I spotted Ashley sitting alone at our usual table. A smile was painted on her face as soon as she saw me. Her pearly white teeth were even more noticed with the bright red lipstick she was wearing. Her dirty blonde hair tips rested in her shoulders making me notice her new hair cut.

"You like it Nat?" she buzzed as my examining face stared at her new hair.

"Uhmmmm"

"Seriously? Omg I thought I nailed it with this haircut. I even felt Dan noticing me a bit more with this new style". Yes. My best friend and I crush on the same guy.

"I'm kidding you ass, I love it. I really do," I say letting out a small and cute giggle.

I admit Ashley was the one who saw Dan first. She spoke about this sexy look holding those hazel-brown eyes of his. His perfectly shaped arms and his messy brown hair. The way his smile was able to move every girl's floor. The thing is, I never really paid attention to her until the day I finally saw who Dan Russell was. It was love at first sight. I spent a day or two trying to figure out how to tell Ashley about it, and when I did she didn't get mad at all. She warned me that if she ever had the chance, she would be with him. I hope she never gets it though.

"Ok, so you know how I said that I felt Dan noticing me a bit more?" she suddenly asked, making my brain get too confused to speak so I just nodded.

"Well... guess who's going out with him tonight?"

Fuck.

"Uh...you... you are Ashley?" my stomach fell to the ground. Suddenly, the pb&j I was eating went up my throat. I felt sick. How could she do this to me? She was my best friend and she knew how Dan Russell was my dream. His existence was my drug.

The thought of Dan even breathing Ashley's same oxygen made me want to puke.

She gave me a horrendous smile. The brightness of her teeth made my eyes burn and her red lipstick was so obnoxious that I couldn't stare at it for more than a second. I could feel her bad breath, and the way she was dressed was so... wait a minute. The way she was dressed was the same as the girl who Dan was staring at earlier. It was her. The way Dan looked at her, the way he smiled while she wasn't looking. Was he in love with her? Of course I hadn't recognized her. Her stupid new haircut didn't let