Unloved

Chapter One: "If only you could find it!"

I'm too busy.

That was it. My three worded excuse for why I wasn't loved. I mean sure, my family and best friend love me, but I'm talking about a different type of love. One filled with lust and desire- one filled with passion. And something I, Kayleigh Dean, had never experienced.

So when my best friend Cara asked me why I had never dated anyone I told her that feeble excuse, instead of telling her the truth like any normal friend would. Honestly, I don't know who I was trying to fool, Cara or myself- but in that moment it didn't really matter. Business is not an excuse, well maybe for my messy bedroom but not for my lack of relationships, and by lack of I mean none.

It wasn't like I had never fancied anyone- I had, many times, just like every other sixteen year old girl. But the problem was that they never liked me back, in fact it seemed like nobody had ever had a crush on me. Not even a tiny one, and that was indeed the reason for my unloved self.

"You're too busy?" Cara questions and raises a disbelieving eyebrow at me.

I nod my head and try to hide all traces of the lie from my voice, "I am, there's too much school work and then add my job on top of that- it's too much. I just don't have time for a boyfriend," I explain shortly and she smirks in reply as I take a sip of my water.

"Well what about a girlfriend?" she asks and I spit my water across the table, earning a few curious glances from the rest of the school's cafeteria.

"I'm not a lesbian Cara," I say in a hushed tone, my eyes wide at her conclusion. Don't get me wrong, my closest cousin is a lesbian and she's amazing- I don't have anything against her. But just because I've never had a boyfriend? That's a reason for Cara to assume that?

"Aww I'm just messing with you Kay, you just haven't met the right guy yet," she exclaims and I nod to her words sadly. But the thing is I thought I had met the right guy, well, met is a very strong word. In my case it was a few clashed glances across the hall and an one sentence maximum conversation to fill the inevitably awkward silence.

And who is this guy I've fallen head over heels for, I hear you ask?

None other than Arlo Jenson, the schools golden boy. If this was any other cliché chick flick the golden boy would fall for me because I was actually  beautiful the whole time and he was blinded by the evil cheerleader.

Problem. This isn't a corny movie, this is reality. My reality.

And I'm nowhere near beautiful, in fact I'm a solid three with the Photoshopped effect Snapchat filter. And Arlo Jenson isn't blinded, at least not by a smoking hot Queen B, instead he's blinded by Evelina. Known more formally as Eve she is the schools only English transfer and is utterly gorgeous, and that's the hard thing- she's impossible not to like. From her caring personality to her good looks that would rival those of a Greek goddess, she's lovely.

They're made for each other in many ways, maybe it's the flaxen hair, enchanting eyes or gently tanned skin, you can't deny they're the perfect couple. Well, half perfect, and by that I mean I am the missing half. If only Arlo could see that, instead I'm pretty certain he sees me as a nobody.

After all, that's what I am.

I'll never be beautiful with all my imperfections and untameable hair, I'll never be kind with my bitchy sarcasm and I'll most certainly never be popular because I have nothing that sets me apart- I blend in. I'm a nobody.

I just want someone to notice me, the real me, not the shy nerd but the bubbly brunette who actually doesn't like maths. Or science, or Design Tech or any subject for that matter. In fact, I'm not a nerd at all. Only English seems to capture my attention, writing and reading are my only escape from the cruel world that condemns me into unpopularity.

"Kayleigh?" Cara questions, snapping me out of my daydream with a thud. Her eyes scan my face as if searching for something which turns out to be a reply. "Hello? Are you alright?" she presses and I shake my head a little to clear the thick fog that's settled.

"Did you even hear what I said?" she asks and I grimace slightly earning an eye roll from her black-winged lids.

"Sorry I must have zoned out..." I reply and trail away into silence.

"Yeah no dip Sherlock!" she laughs and rises from the table, slinging her bag over her shoulder and tucking a strand of her black hair behind her ear.It reaches down to her ribs and an edgy fringe cuts across her forehead, her skin is porcelain which contrasts her matte red lips. I've known her for as long as I can remember and I still watch in amusement as she fries everyone that insults her.

"I said 'the bells gone', we need to get to class," she explains and I nod my head in revelation whilst rising from the bench. The cool metal undoubtedly leaving a miniature trench on he back of my thighs through my plaid skirt.

"Yeah, right, what's next?" I query and she smiles smugly whilst turning on her heel and leading us out of the cafeteria, her shoes clacking against the tiles.

"It's science, which I'm sure you'll be glad to know," she smirks and I let out an audible groan.

"Ugh, I hate chemistry!" I complain as we approach the classroom, my shoulders sagging slightly as a frown etches itself onto my forehead.

A smile plays on Cara's lips as we brush through the door and into the packed class, she peeks over her shoulder and her voice finds me simultaneously.

"Yeah, well, if only you could find it."