Taming The Beast

Chapter 1

"We see the predator eyeing his next victim. He smiles over at her and she is instantly paralyzed in his gaze. He swaggers over to her where he says something so smooth that her face turns red almost instantly. And when she starts to flip her hair like she has whiplash, as she's doing now, you know she's done for. He's caught her."

I turn away from the gruesome scene and back to Elliot's surprised but impressed expression. "Okay, that's freaky. It could have just been a complete coincidence, but it seems like you really are a guy-whisperer," he replies.

We're enjoying some burgers, fries, and milkshakes at the food court, like we always do.

Elliot James has been my best friend since he and his family moved to River Heights nine years ago. He kicked sand to my face while I was on the swings and I punched him in the stomach. Now, he's become like my fourth brother. He can tell every little thing that goes through that complicated brain of mine and I know him better than his own twin brother does. He and Emmett are still very close, but they just hang out with two very different crowds. Elliot and I are more in the middle of the social food chain, with our lacking need to be popular and outspoken personalities, while Emmett is best friends with the King of River Heights High, Austin Parker.

This boy is legendary. He's stolen the heart of just about every girl in town over the age of thirteen and has probably broken more hearts than Casanova himself. He's like Barney Stinson's son and he seems to memorize every page of the Play Book. And he's actually the one we're talking about at the moment.

I roll my eyes, "You know I'm not. I've just seen all the moves that boy has played. I have my brothers to thank for for teaching me, by example, what not to fall for."

My gaze goes back to the devil of which I speak of who leaves with his arm over the swooning blonde girl. May God be with her.

"Ah, yes. The famous Hamilton brothers. You know their conquests are still talked about around the guys' locker room. They're like motivational stories," Elliot chuckles and shakes his head at the thought.

I swallow my bite of his cheeseburger before throwing a french fry in his direction," Spare me the details please. I don't plan on throwing up."

He laughs at my response and looks down at his wrist. "Oh crap. You better hurry up Mer, or we'll both end up being late for work."

I nod and scarf down the rest of my food in less than 5 minutes. Elliot drops me off at the Topshop on the third floor before he heads up to the movie theatre. We say our goodbyes and plan to meet at the parking lot after work. I greet Suzan, the kind 30-something year old manager, then head out back to change into my black shirt. Once I finish, Suzan assigns me to restock and fold some shirts before I attend to the front desk.

The day goes by fast with pleasant customers and no problems. I'm at the counter working happily in atticipation for the the clock to strike 6:30 to officially dismiss me from work when I notice the person next in line. The exact definition of tall, dark, and handsome stood in front of me, handing me a light pink colored blazer along with a black Express card.

"That'll be a hundred," I inform him, with the best forced-smile I could muster after scanning the tag. I quickly punch in a few keys and fold the blazer into a plastic bag as the receipt prints. Better to make this hopefully rare interaction as brief as possible.

From the corner of my eye, I see him giving me a quick once over. I make an internal groan and pray that he won't recognize me. But apparently, I hoped too late.

"Hey, you're from River Heights too aren't you?" He grabs the platic bag from me over the counter.

"Uh yeah. You seem familiar. I think we might have a class or two together."