Love at First Sight

7. Aiden

The test was today the test was today the test was today the test was-

"Unfourtunately class, we will not be having the english test that was scheduled for today, as it has come to my attention that some of you are severely underprepared" My english teacher, Mr. Grover announced as I walked in.

My face visibly relaxed and I could have sworn I felt bricks lift off my shoulders. Thank the gods.

I looked around the classroom for an empty seat. Miles doesn't have english with me, neither does Cole, I would sit with one of my other hockey buddies, but he was busy with a girl.

The only seat left was at the front. Next to Nyssa.

*Oh crap.*

I steeled myself. This is good. This is great. I had told myself that I would get her to like me, and this is exactly how to do that. Sit next to her. Make conversation. Tell a joke. I'm good at that, right? People like my jokes. I think.

I swallowed and sat down next to her. God she was so pretty. How was it even possible for a single girl to look that pretty? Our school isn't christian, but didn't God make everyone beautiful or something? She must be some kind of godess. That was the only explanation-

"Mr. Rhodes! For the third time what is the answer!?" Mr. Grover practically yelled in exasperation. 

I jumped in my seat. Shit. I wasn't paying attention. I swallowed, "Uh-is-is it alright if you could repeat it...sir?" I mumbled awkwardly.

God I must look like an idiot. I probably do look like an idiot. I am an idiot. Just be positive Aiden...be...positive-

"What is the underlying message of the novel we were reading in class for the past few weeks, 1984, the one our test was going to be on?" Mr. Grover said expectantly.

I froze. I couldn't remember anything from the book. I remember reading it...and falling asleep but i-

"The book was written as a warning of what could happen if people allowed their governments to obtain too much power, or the dangers of totalitarianism, sir" A voice next to me said. It was her. She'd helped me. She was... really smart, I don't even know what totalitarianism even is-

"Aww, does baby Rhodes need help from the new girl?" A sneering voice said from behind me. I'd know those jerks anywhere. The football team, oh how they loved to belittle us hockey players. I ignored it, but apparently Nyssa didn't-

"Being a dick doesn't make yours bigger" she said simply, as if it was natural. She didn't even turn around, but it was clear she was adressing them.

They both froze. I froze. To be honest, I never really paid Mike and Ben much attention, they'd always make fun of my lack of acdemia, I'd learned to ignore it-but her...she looked like she'd snap them in half if given the chance. Jesus, i'd be lying if i said it wasn't attractive.

Mr. Grover smiled and nodded "That's correct Mrs. Abrahams"

So that's her last name. Abrahams. Nyssa Abrahams. Pretty. Like her.

"Uh, thanks" i said, leaning my head slightly closer to hers.

"Don't mention it" she muttered, "Like seriously. Don't" She didn't even look at me, and to be honest, I was kinda glad that she didn't. This whole...'cross me and i'll murder you' vibe was intimidating. Who am i kidding? I was trembling in my damn pants, but for some reason, I found myself wanting to break her defenses...see what was going on in there...why was she so... defensive all the time? So calculating?

I glanced over at her again. She was beautiful. Her raven hair was up again, tied with a ribbon, and she had on a maroon long-sleeve top and black sweatpants. Her face was perfect...her body was perfect, it was athletic...slim. My cheeks blazed as i found myself wondering what she'd look like underneath her clothes.

I berated myself, shit Aiden, you can't be thinking like that...

She looked at me for the first time in that entire lesson.

"Why do you not care?" She asked me bluntly, as Mr. Grover told us our assignments.

"what-what do you mean?" I asked, slightly taken aback by the bluntness

"I mean, you didn't care when those jerks practically called you stupid...you-you didn't care when that guy from the other team shoved you and almost gave you a concussion-"

"did-he did, give me a concussion" I interrupted her with a chuckled, my lips curving into a smile, "and i didn't care because...well...Ben and Mike are idiots too, so they can't really be talking...as for the incident on the ice...well...ice hockey's an intense game...maybe it was an accident?" I shrugged. That's what i'd thought at first...but when I saw him laughing at me after i'd fallen..."actually...maybe it wasn't an accident, but either way, he shoved me, there's nothing I can do about it...it's not like i can go back in time and see it coming or something" I laughed slightly "if anything, it taught me to uh...be more careful of my surroundings and stuff, you know? Like a lesson-"

To my suprise, Nyssa was still listening to me, her siren eyes wide and lips parted. God she looked adorable when her guard was slightly down.

"You-you can't just-it doesn't-" she gaped, "how-how-"

clearly she didn't have a good response. I was tempted to make fun of her, but then I remembered that she could probably rip my head off if she wanted to, so I refrained.

Instead I gave a small smirk, not cocky, just enough to say "i've got you there" but without actually saying it.

"You're like a real-life disney prince" she murmured underneath her breath, but I heard it.

"You mean that?" I whispered, leaning my head slightly closer to her again. This time she looked at me, and I saw her tense up. Huh, maybe I am good at talking to girls, who knew?

She leaned herself back, and as the bell went, she almost fell from her chair. Almost.