Noticed by a Man

Chapter 1 - Let's Meet

*JOSHUA HAWKES*

I step onto the brakes as the bus stop comes into view, and the bus I am driving slowly comes to a halt. I open up the bus door, and a pretty girl is the first one that steps in.

"Here's the money, sir." She smiles, and politely hands me a bunch of cash.

"Thanks." I say as I watch more people step on to the bus.

During the entire drive, all I can think about is the gorgeous girl who handed me the cash and smiled at me.

Eventually, I pull the bus to a stop, and the pretty girl starts walking towards the front of the bus. This is my only chance, I think to myself. So I say to her, "Hey, uh, I think you're a really cool girl, so do you wanna hang out with me after my bus duty is over?"

She gives me a blank look, then finally she answers. "Sure, we can meet, um, maybe under that big tree, if it's possible for you." She says as she points at an enormous tree in front of the bus stop.

"Well, my bus duty finishes at eight. What time is good for you?"

"I think nine o'clock is fine for -" She isn't able to continue, because everybody on the bus is yelling, and telling me to hurry up and move along.

"I'm so sorry," she says as she starts heading down the stairs. "I'll meet you at nine, remember, at the tree!"

*9:00 PM*

I stand in the chilly air with my hands in my pockets, waiting for her arrival. I end up waiting at the tree for at least an hour, and I end up falling asleep against the tree. An hour and a half later, someone shakes me, causing me to wake up.

"Listen, I am so sorry for making you have to wait for so long. I had to help my aunt and uncle look after my cousin while they were out grocery shopping, and they ended up buying some other weird stuff as well, that's why they took so long, and that's why I'm late. I am so sorry." She keeps rambling on about what made her come so late.

"It's okay..." I realize at that point that I don't even know her name.

"You don't know my name, right. Forgot all about that." She chuckles. "My name is Avery Starr," She sticks her hand out for me to shake it. "What about you?"

I take her hand and shake firmly. I look straight into her clear, brown eyes. "Joshua," I pause. "Joshua Hawkes."

She laughs quietly. "Nice to meet you Joshua Hawkes."

I smile at her as a silence takes over. Her incredibly long hair blows in the wind as she watches each car drive by. There is one thing I want to ask her.

I hesitate before speaking. "Do you want to... Go on a date with me?" I say slowly, hoping that she'll say yes.

She turns to look at me. "Joshua, we just met a few hours ago... I don't think I can. I need to get to know you more before going out with you."

"Are you sure? If we go on a date we can get to know each other better, just like what you want."

"Okay... Sure." She says not really sure of her answer.

"When do you want to go out?" I say to her with a smile.

"Uh... I don't know." She says, not looking at me.

I frown. "If you don't want to go out with me, you really don't need to. I was just wondering."

"Yeah, Joshua, I don't think I can. I want to get to know you first." She says quietly.

"Okay, well, can I at least have your number?" I ask her, while taking out my phone from my back pocket.

She hesitates before giving me an answer. "Sure." She takes her phone out as well, and we exchange phones, adding ourselves as contacts. "I think I have to leave now." She says as she hands me back my phone and checks her watch.

I nod. "Yeah, I think I do too. So, I will call you soon I guess."

She gets up from the ground. "Bye Joshua. Hope to hear from you soon." She smiles, then proceeds to walk away.

A/N: Hi readers! THIS IS THE FIRST CHAPTER OF NOTICED BY A MAN!!!!! Be sure to always VOTE, COMMENT, AND SHARE! Do predictions on where Avery and Joshua will meet up next!

With something and kisses

~Melanie (& partially Melissa)