Game of Hearts

Chapter 1

I never considered commiting myself to one person. I always thought of myself as a bird; free, independent. A masculine bird, like a hawk or something. I never really found a reason to tie myself down to one person, so I didn't. I mean sure, I've gotten around, be around the block once or twice if you know what I mean, but out of all the girls I've ever been with, none of them ever really caught my attention. I'm known at school as a 'player' but its not a title I take shame in. I figure, what's the point of being young and handsom if I can't flaunt it around?

Most of the girls at Northwest High are aware of my reputation, but still they're drawn to me like a moth to a flame, and what 16 year old guy wouldn't use that to his advantage? You can't help what your born with. I didn't think that there was one girl at my school who wouldn't do anything to be with me, but that all changed when she came along.

She was the new girl in school. It was my junior year. I'd just gotten a brand-new red vintage mustang and I was busy driving around the Northwest High parking lot, showing it off to the people who weren't fortunate enough to get a new car for their 16th birthdays. I drove right past her as she was getting out of a silver BMW with a bumper sticker that read 'Make Art Not War.'

I knew she was new because I didn't recognize her, and being Tanner Lynch, star quaterback on the football team, I knew the names off all the girls who attened Northwest. I didn't take much notice to her at first, figuring she was just another nerd to add to the ever growing population, but as my car neared closer I was able to get better look at her wavy auburn hair and pale, freckled skin. She glanced up at me from the book she had in her hands and I managed to make eye contact with her for a slight second, taking notice that her eyes were greenish blue. I could use that later on.

I decided to pull into the parking space beside her. As I got out of the car and approached her, she didn't seem to take notice of my presence, keeping her nose buried in the book. I made a small coughing noise but still she ignored me, her eyes glued to the page she was reading.

"Excuse me, but it's rude to ignore people." I comment, my tone silky smooth. Still, she doesn't look up. What's with this chick?

"I'm not ignoring you, I'm just not acknowleging you."

And with those words she slammed her book shut, slung her purse over one shoulder and walked away, leaving me standing by myself like an idiot until a few of my friends came up behind me and slapped me on the back.

"Getting frisky with the new girl, huh?" My friend Tony said with a wink.

I shrugged  "I figure she outta know what she's gonna be missing out on." I shot them a coy smile that betrayed how I was truly feeling -- rejected.

No girl had ever rejected me before! I was the king at this school, the one every guy wanted to be and the one every girl wanted to be with. I was good looking, popular, had money, successful parents, my own car... why would anyone turn down an oppurtunity to be with me and have all that?

"Nice, man, but Heidi's been looking for you all morning and if she catches you with her she'll probably flip."

Heidi Richardson was my current girlfriend of the week. She was your typical blonde, tan, belly-button-pierced bimbo of a cheerleader with a powerful daddy who bought her anything she wanted when she wanted it. She was stuck up, self absorbed and spent most of her time gossiping with her friends or hanging all over me.

"Let her freak then, its not like I have to be fully commited to her 24/7." I replied as we made our way inside the school.

Without meaning to, I looked around for the new girl, figuring I'd spot her by the guidance office or the library, but she was no where in sight. I began to wonder where she could've gone, then I realized that I was thinking about her and I mentally slapped myself. Who cared? She was just some dorky new chick... but then again, she was also the dorky new chick who didn't take any intrest in me.. I guess the chase was on.