Who's Story is it?

Chapter 1:

It was the first day back to school after the long summer holidays. It was much like any other summer day, blisteringly hot and the air was still like a statue. Neil took his seat in class next to his best friend. The two of them were in class early, as always, talking about what they needed to know for this school term. Little did Neil know that in a few short moments his life was about to change. As the rest of the class strolled in, one of the students in the crowd caught Neil's eye. It was a slightly taller girl, thin and slender with long, dark and shimmering hair. Her skin was beautifully light in colour and delicate to the touch. Her cheeks were ever so slightly pronounced and highlighted with a hint of red. Whether it was natural or not, Neil did not tell nor did he care if it was real. She was drop dead gorgeous all the same, like and angel that had fallen from heaven. Neil could not stop admiring her beauty. As the mystery girl took her seat, she turned around to scan the classroom. Her eyes soon found Neil's and for a brief moment they both looked deep into each other's soul. The mystery girl quickly turned back and the colour in her cheeks intensified. Neil knew from that incident that she was a shy girl...exactly his type.

The class was over and Neil was heading over to the school library with his best friend to do a little bit of studying. To his pleasant surprise, the mystery girl was there too. Neil's best friend could see this. He quickly made an excuse saying he had to go see some teacher about some stuff to let Neil have his space to work his charm. Neil wanted to approach the mystery girl but didn't know what to say. He may like shy girls but when it comes right down to it, he is also a shy guy himself. Suddenly the perfect situation unfolded. The girl had tripped slightly and dropped her books right in front of Neil. He knelt down to help pick up the girls books. As he handed them back he asked "Are you alright," he paused for a second reading the name on the books "Ariana, is it?" Again her slightly rosy cheeks turned bright red. She replied "Y...yeah, I'm alright. Thank you and may I ask what your name is?" Her voice was soft, light, warm, it was truly the voice of an angel. Neil replied "My name is Neil and it's a pleasure to meet you." Ariana's face was now almost completely red. Neil recognised this but knew he could not say anything explicit or else, he feared, he would sound overconfident. "Ariana, I don't mean to be rude but your face is really red at the moment. Are you sure you're okay?" Neil asked. Ariana couldn't simply not reply, she had to say something. "Oh it's... it's nothing. It's just really hot out here"

"Let's go inside then. I agree it is really hot out here and the library is air conditioned" and this the two had finally met. This was the start of something beautiful.

The two sat next to each other on the long wooden table inside the library. Ariana placed her books upon the table. Neil looked over and saw what kind of books she had "oh, you're studying for maths too I see. You don't mind if I were to join you do you?" Ariana was hesitant to reply but she eventually said yes. Neil raced outside to grab his books from his bag and joined Ariana to study. Neil was already taken back by Ariana's beauty and know he soon found himself overwhelmed by her mathematical prowess. It was a long lunch break and the two of them found themselves in need of a food break. Neil asked Ariana if she would like to join him for lunch and she replied "I'd...I'd love to but unfortunately I kinda' forgot my lunch at home today." Neil was stuck, he did not know what to say. Suddenly Neil's best friend came back. He walked up to the two of them and asked "excuse me, I hope I'm not interrupting anything but do you think I could borrow Neil for a little bit?" Ariana nodded and the two of them walked outside. "I over heard what happened in there. Don't worry Neil. I got yo back." Neil's best friend then slipped a $20 bill in Neil's shirt pocket and with that, he walked off without another word. Neil headed back inside and took his seat next to Ariana. "Sorry about that. But as I was saying I was gonna go grab something from the canteen, I'd be happy to buy you something too. What do you say?" Ariana tried replying but every time she was about to say something she kept interrupting herself. In the end she was simply making a series of sounds. Neil could not help himself "I'm sorry Ariana but I have to say this, you sound so adorable at the moment." Ariana's face turned that oh so familiar shade of red again. "You know you can't study well while you're hungry so just come with me, yes?" Ariana hesitated in her reply "O...okay. Thankyou so much. I promise I'll repay tomorrow,"

"Please don't bother, it's my pleasure." And with that the two of them headed over to the school canteen.

They walked through the canteen looking at what they wanted to eat. "Please pick anything you want." Ariana looked at everything available: burgers, hot dogs, pasta, curry. In the end Ariana to take a stir fry. "Oh wow, you chose the stir fry too" Neil commented when he saw Ariana's choice. "Yeah, it's my favourite."

"Me too" Neil replied with that cheeky yet innocent smile. The two of them found a spot to sit and ate their lunch together. After each bite Ariana would place the tips of her finger upon her lips. Neil found this incredibly adorable and also noticed how glossy Ariana's nails looked. "Hey Ariana? Um...I can't help notice how shiny your nails look. Do you use some kind of nail polish or is that natural?" Ariana looked quite surprised. "Oh wow. You're the first person who's actually noticed them. And yeah I'm using an acrylic clear coat."

"Well they look really pretty." And with that the roses returned to Ariana's cheeks and the cheeky smile had found its way on Neil's face. As they finished their lunch the school bell rang signifying it was time for class. Neil asked what Ariana had next and to his pleasant surprise it was the same as him, English. Ariana walked ever so slightly in front of Neil, almost to allow him to admire her long, dark, and dazzling hair.

Neil and Ariana arrived at the classroom together. Neil wanted to sit next to Ariana but was afraid that it may have been a bit too much right now. Luckily Neil's best friend had chosen to sit 2 seats away from Ariana so that Neil could sit next to her with the excuse that he was just sitting with his friend. Neil's best friend turned around as soon as Neil and Ariana took their seat. He knew that Neil wanted to talk to Ariana for a little bit and so he talked with some of the other people in the class to give Neil his space. The first thing Ariana asked was about Neil's best friend, "Hey Neil, isn't that the guy who asked for you during lunch?"

"Yeah. He's one of my good friends. Why?"

"Oh no reason, I was just wondering. May I ask you what his name is?"

"He kinda doesn't like people knowing his name. Not many call him by his name, they just kind of shout at him and he replies."

"That's a little strange don't you think"

"It is but that's just the way he is. He likes to remain the unknown person so that when he does stuff like break uniform policy or other things no one really cares because no one knows who he really is"

"Interesting..."

As the class went on Neil learnt more and more about Ariana. He found out that both of them were originally from Taipei Taiwan. Neil also found out that Ariana's best subjects are those of a mathematical nature much like himself. However Neil soon found out that Ariana was much better at it than Neil was. "You're not offended are you? I'm sorry; I shouldn't have said it so bluntly."

"No, no, no please don't be. I'm not offended at all. I know you're smarter than me. It doesn't bother me at all." Again that shade of red overtook Ariana's face but there was something different this time. Her smile conveyed an interest in Neil. It wasn't blush for embarrassment but rather a blush to intrigue and attract. Neil met this smile with his signature cheeky yet innocent smile.

Neil walked with Ariana to the front gate of the school were Ariana was to be picked up from. As soon as Ariana left, Neil's best friend snuck up behind him and squeezed his shoulders "so Neil'y, where do you have her?" Neil looked at him semi-perplexed, "What? What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about that Ariana girl, where is she? You reeling her in? Is she on the hook or is she just swimming around the bait? You gotta tell me"

"C'mon man, we just met. Were just friends,"

"Yeah I know, don't worry about it, take it slow; I know you'll get her. Anyway I'm out. Catch ya' later." And with the final wave Neil's first day back at school was over. A day he will no doubt never forget. It was the start of something magical.