So This Is Love?

CHAPTER 1 | This Is The Start Of Something Beautiful

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It started out with a kiss how did it end up like this? It was only a kiss, it was only a kiss - "Mr Brightside" The Killers

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CHAPTER 1 ~ Zach's POV

"I need an ambulance NOW!" I scream into the phone, my heart thumping in my chest. It's so loud I can hear it. Panic takes control of my body and my breathing grows unsteady, I have no idea what to do. I feel like crawling into a corner and hoping everything will be okay but I know I can't, I know I have to do something. I can't just sit idly by watching as everything plays out around me.

"Zachhhh..." the screaming morphs into Hayden's voice and I am instantly pulled out of my torturous thoughts.

"Earth to Zach –" Hayden says, taking a sip of his water whilst leaning back against the locker. I pull on my best blank face, trying to hide the terror that I feel, hiding the turmoil that's erupting within me.

"What?" for some reason this causes Hayden to let out a laugh as he pushes himself back against the locker, gaining momentum to then stand up straight. He takes long strides over to Asher, or Ace as we call him, who is currently talking up some blonde.

"Ace, man, how's it going?" I ask him, laughing at his failed attempts at getting the blonde's number.

"Good until you ruined my morning. I was so close," he complains, groaning as he shoves me a little. The annoyance he feels, taking over his face.

"Man, I really need to teach you a thing or two about picking up girls," I tell him. He seriously needs to pick up his game. He and I used to be one and the same, women flocking to us. We never had to make a move, they did that themselves. But, as of late, something's changed, I'm not sure what. It's as if a switch flicked in his brain and although he would try to talk up girls, he was trying to steer them away at the same time.

"Zach, man, I appreciate the offer but I think I'll pass," he continues to speak but my attention is now on the girl currently walking through the door with her blonde hair swishing after her. Brooke. There's something about her, she's different. Incomparable to the rest, exceeding all expectations.

"See dude. Why would I get your help when you can't even pick up the girl you've been crushing on for what? 6 years?" he jokes with a laugh and I laugh with him. Touché. I can't fathom why I'm so drawn to her; sure, she's irresistible and beautiful and her face radiates when she smiles, but plenty of girls have such qualities. How could one girl fill my thoughts and captivate me so much more than anyone else? I have a problem but I can't help it. But it makes me weak, she makes me weak. I can't keep going like this, I need her out of my mind.

"Man, I don't know what you're talking about. She isn't even my type." I lie through my teeth even though I'm sure none of them believe me. Who would, anyway? I can't even believe myself.

"Whatever you say," Asher says, just before looking over in Brooke's direction and calling her over. I wish that, among all things he could have done, he hadn't done that.

"Hey, Brooke!" Asher waves his hands around in the air, managing to look like an idiot as he does so. Asher and Brooke have been friends for as long as I can remember. They met when Brooke moved in next door to him. Asher introduced us to her and asked her if she would join us for lunch but she denied the offer. Since then, I haven't talked to her, I can barely manage a hi or hello. I would've looked like a complete idiot, a fool. Me, notorious for the amount of girls I've charmed. Me! Stumbling to even murmur a simple greeting.