Heart Eyes

Chapter 1 - Take me home

I walk out of the school building in the pouring rain. It's coming down fast and soaking my curls. I then hear annoying words from an irritating voice.

"Need a ride home, Ains?" The grating voice of Everett Duncan says.

"For the millionth time, Everett, it's Ainsley to you!" I say a bit too loudly as I pull my hood on. He walks next to me. God, what does this stupid guy want? "And no, I don't need you or your stupid car to drive me home!" I say loudly and fiercely

Everett has been bothering me since we were little kids. He lives a block away from me. He moved here in 2nd grade. He was instantly popular here. Yet, he always would tease me.

He used to call me names and make fun of all the things I liked and did. He hated the music I liked, the things I drew, even my hair! He was so annoying—and he still is! Always making fun of my last name, saying things like Ainsley Leaving. It's Levine. Yet, it is kind of fitting. I could never keep a boyfriend. Mostly cause I was too innocent.

"I'm just trying to help, Ainsley. Witches melt in the rain, right? We don't want you melting do we?" He says with a cocky smirk.

I glare at him. Is he serious? Who does he think he is? The rain picks up ever so slightly. I hear thunder, it rattles everything it feels like. Nope. I refuse to get in that stupid jerk's car. Nope. Not today.

"C'mon, Ains. You know you want to! Stay dry, eh?"

I ignore him. I continue walking. I don't dare look back at that evil soul. Suddenly I feel a hand on my shoulder. The same hand spins me to look at the hand's owner "Everett, leave me alone!" I say a bit too loudly. The rain continues pouring down my face.

He seems to observe me. "Your mascara is smudged." He says in a still tone. Thanks, Captain Obvious. "Just get in my car, Ainsley. I'm not letting you walk home in this weather. It's dangerous."

I hesitate, the rain soaking through my clothes and chilling me to the bone. Part of me knows I should just take the ride and avoid getting completely drenched, but there's something about Everett that irks me—a mix of annoyance and an inexplicable fluttering that I refuse to acknowledge.

"Fine," I finally say, my irritation bubbling over. "But only because I don't want to walk home like a drowned rat."

He grins, the cocky smirk finally disappearing, replaced by genuine concern. "See? That wasn't so hard, was it?"

We walk to his car, a battered old sedan that's somehow more comforting than I expect. I hop in the passenger seat, shivering as the air conditioning hits me. Everett quickly turns on the heat, and I can't help but notice the way he drives—carefully, yet with easy confidence.

"You know," he says casually as we pull away from the school, "you really shouldn't walk around in the rain without an umbrella. It's reckless."

I roll my eyes. "Thanks, Dad. I'll keep that in mind."

He chuckles, a sound I hate to admit is kind of nice. "Just looking out for you, Ainsley."

I glance at him, surprised. "Why do you even care? You've made my life miserable for years."

He shrugs. "Maybe I was just trying to get your attention?"

I throw him an incredulous look. "By being a total jerk? That's your game?" Before he can respond, the atmosphere shifts. There's an awkward tension in the air, and for a moment, I forget about the rain and the teasing. We're just two people, caught in this strange moment.

"Look," he starts, glancing at me with a seriousness I hardly expect. "I know I've been a pain. But I've always thought you were...different," he goes silent for a moment, then quickly adds, "in a good way. You're always so passionate about what you do."

My heart races at the unexpected compliment. I want to scoff, to brush it off, but his eyes hold mine, and I feel a flicker of something beyond annoyance—curiosity, maybe? "Thanks?" I say, unsure.

We pull up to a stoplight, and I can't help but notice how he looks at me—not with the usual mockery, but with something softer, more real. Just then, the light turns green, and the moment passes. We continue driving in silence, tension still lingering in the air. What just even happened?

He notices the baseball sticker he had put on the dash when he first got his car. I have been in here once... But it was more of a group thing. We were 16.

He scoffs and peels the worn sticker off. "Fucking baseball..." He mutters quietly. I forgot he had quit.. Or stopped playing. He used to be really good. I'm not sure why he stopped playing for certain, but I've heard rumors.

The most popular rumor is that he flipped last year when he lost the game everyone was putting pressure on him for, he either quit playing due to stress... But, I've also heard he freaked out and hit someone with the bat and then got kicked off. I hope to believe the first rumor is the true one...

He turns onto Pale Street, the street my street connects to. We drive down the road for about a mile. I look over at Everett. We turn onto Alpine Drive, the street my house is on.

When Everett pulls into my driveway, I can't shake the unexpected emotions swirling inside me. "Thanks for the ride," I say, trying to sound indifferent as I reach for the door handle.

"Wait," he replies, his voice hesitant. "Can we talk for a minute?" I pause, glancing back at him, trying to read his expression.

There's a seriousness in his eyes that catches me off guard. "About what?"

He takes a deep breath, running a hand through his wet hair, which only makes him look more disheveled and strangely appealing. "I know I've been a jerk, Ainsley. But I'd like to start over if you're willing to."

My heart skips a beat at his words. The idea of starting over with Everett feels both exciting and terrifying. "What do you mean?" I ask, genuinely curious.

"You know," he says, his voice softer now. "I think you're really cool... And I regret teasing you all those years. I guess I just didn't know how to... I don't know, deal with my feelings or whatever."

"Your feelings?" I echo, bewildered.

"Yeah," he admits, looking down at his hands on the steering wheel. "I've liked you for a long time, Ainsley. But instead of being honest, I was a jerk."

I stare at him, processing his words. Could it be true? My mind is racing. This isn't the Everett I've known. "You're serious?" I ask, half-convinced this is just another prank.

"Dead serious," he replies, meeting my gaze again. "I get that it's a lot to unpack, but I'd like to make it up to you. Can we just start fresh?"

I feel a mix of emotions—confusion, anger, curiosity, and a growing attraction I can no longer ignore. "I... I don't know, Everett. It's not that easy."

"I get that," he says, his voice steady. "But I'm willing to try if you are. Just give me a chance to show you I've changed."

I take a moment to think it over. The rain continues to pour outside, creating a backdrop for this unexpected conversation. "Okay," I finally say, surprising even myself. "But it will take time for me to trust you again."

He nods, a smile breaking through the tension in the car. It feels strange to see him smiling like this—genuine, without the usual cockiness. "I'll take what I can get. Just promise me one thing."

"What's that?"

"Don't call me a jerk when I mess up," he suggests, chuckling slightly. "It might happen."

"Deal," I say, rolling my eyes but unable to hide a smile.

As I open the door and step out into the still-raining world, I can't help but feel like something has shifted between us. The rain that once felt cold and isolating now feels refreshing—like a new beginning.

"See you tomorrow, Ainsley," Everett calls as I walk towards my door.

"Yeah, see you," I reply, glancing back at him. The look in his eyes sends a flutter through my stomach, and I can't help but wonder what this new chapter will bring. As I step inside, the warmth of my home envelops me, but my thoughts are still on the car, the rain, and Everett. Maybe this change isn't as dreadful as I thought.