A Heart's Desire

Chapter 1

Samantha Collins was excited and nervous for her ten year reunion, as she walked down the halls, the same gloom surrounder her as she made her way towards the gym. She could already smell the mix of mold and sweaty gym socks coming from the open gym doors. The old high school gym at East Shores High School hadn't changed with the fresh coat of paint covering the walls with an egg shell glow trying to give the room a facelift without success.

Walking into the gym a large " Welcome back Class of 2010" hung over the stage. Around the perimeter there were rectangular tables arranged each with fresh cut flowers. The middle was clear for the dance floor, a few people were already rocking out to the latest 'it' song. Up on the stage a young man had a headset clinched between his ear and shoulder while making adjustments on his laptop. Disco lights were set up on either side of him as the lights flashed to the beat of the music. All around the room was decorated with streamers and balloons in baby blue and white, the school's colours.

As Samantha nervously stepped into the gym, she scanned the room looking for her best friend Natalie. Keeping her head low as she fidgeted with her purse, she stepped into the shadows just inside the door. Hoping her fellow classmates wouldn't make a large spectacle of her being there, Samantha ran her hand through her long brown hair, and took in a deep breath. Looking around the room she was glad that her choice of a simple yellow and pink summer dress with her tan wedges blended with what the other girls were wearing. Her nerves weren't for her fellow classmates as much as they were for the man who broke her heart. Just the thought of seeing her ex boyfriend Brett after all these years made her stomach turn. That day ten years ago still kept her up at night, the day he chose to stay and not follow her to Hollywood.

Samantha glanced around the gym when she noticed him standing just in front of the stage talking to a group of other guys. She could feel her face flush as she remembered the way his arms felt wrapped around her, his breath on her neck as he whispered "I love you" and kissed her just below the ear lobe. She smiled slightly, flashing back to the day they met so many years ago, in what felt like a different world. Samantha would never forget that day, almost thirteen years ago.

It was her grade ten year, 2nd period Science class. She always hated that subject and so she picked a seat near the back of the classroom beside her best friend Natalie whom she had known since kindergarten. Samantha's mid-length brown hair and piercing blue eyes was a contrast to Natalie's long blonde curly hair and green eyes.

As she took her seat and glanced around to see who else was in the class, a group of guys walked in. There was one in the group that she didn't recognize but he caught her eye as he strolled in. Standing around 5'8", sandy brown hair and big brown eyes, he was lean but not overly muscular and when he smiled the dimples on his face sent shivers down her spine.

"Who's that?" Samantha asked Natalie and she leaned over to whisper in her ear.

Samantha had never seen him before and she knew she would have remembered that adorable face.

"Who? Oh him. Yeah he was in my first period class. Apparently he's new in town and his name is like Bryan, or Brent or Brett, yeah that's it Brett." Natalie was busy opening her books and getting ready for class to even glance at him. "I guess he's kinda cute."

"Kinda cute?" Samantha looked around to see if anyone had heard her, "I think he's absolutely adorable!"

"Yeah I guess, if you like that type."

Mr. Scott walked in and placed his satchel on top of the front counter. Samantha had Mr. Scott as a teacher last semester and even though she hated the subject he was a pretty cool guy. Not too stern and liked to have fun with his students. He was never one to wear a suit and tie to work but more laid back with polo shirts and dress pants. His hair was always neat and he was a good looking man with 2 day stubble on his face. Mr. Scott was one of the younger teachers they had at the school, around his early 30's.