Pursuit of Perfection

Chapter 1 - A New Boy

         Stephanie Reynolds was an average 16 year old schoolgirl. She had long, blonde hair, was on the netball team and got average passing grades without putting too much effort in. She wasn’t particularly bothered about school; the only thing she really cared about was boys - looking at boys, getting all giggly and talking to boys, chasing after them, clinging onto them, annoying them. But until now there had only been a few worth looking at in school, and they were pounced upon and snatched up by her friends, or other pretty girls in the class. This one was different.        

        As Stephanie walked into her first-period Chemistry class she saw him, leaning across a desk at the front of the classroom, chatting to the teacher. He was tall, with matted, brown hair that seemed as though it hadn’t been cut in a long while, and he looked old for his age.

“Class,” said the teacher, Miss Moore, as the class gradually entered, “This is Simon.” She gestured to the boy. “He’s new to the school, so a warm welcome from each of you would be much appreciated.”

            Stephanie sat in her regular seat in the back corner of the room, and leaned towards her best friend, who was sitting in his usual seat, next to her.

Jonathan, have you seen the new boy?” she asked quietly, nudging him.

“What about him?”

“Have you SEEN him? He’s gorgeous!” she exclaimed. A few students near her heard and turned to look at her, so she pulled herself closer to her friend and whispered. “He’s the first really worthwhile lad I’ve seen in school!”

Jonathan started a whispered reply but was cut off by the sound of scraping chairs and rustling books as the lesson began.

            He tore out the back page of his exercise book and scribbled “what’s so great about him?” on it, passing it subtly to Stephanie. She snatched it, read it, and immediately wrote a reply – “I’m gonna talk to him after”. They continued passing notes back and forth until the end of the class. Stephanie kept looking up at the new boy, Simon, throughout the lesson, and was staring at the back of his head, willing him to turn around and notice her, though he never did.           

         As soon as the bell rang for the end of class, Stephanie grabbed her stuff, shoved it quickly in her bag and rushed over to Simon – luckily he was taking his time, and all the other kids were pushing past him out of the door as he sat at his desk.

“Hey,” she said timidly. After being so eager to talk to him, she was surprised at how nervous she actually was. Jonathan exited the room with the others, winking at Stephanie as he left.

“Erm, hi there,” Simon replied, turning to look at the girl that had spoken to him. He brushed his hair back with his hand.

“You’re Simon, right?” Stephanie asked, coyly, as she moved around him and sat on the front of his desk.

“Yes, and you’re -”

“Stephanie.”

“OK.” There was an awkward pause.

“I just wanted to welcome you to the school,” she blurted out, “and if there’s anything you need, anything at all, just come to me, and we’ll… sort something out.” She leaned towards him flirtatiously.           

         “Well it’s lovely that you’re showing an interest!” Simon and Stephanie both jumped at their teacher’s remark, forgetting she was still in the room. Apart from her, they were alone. Immediately Stephanie jumped down off the desk, Simon swiftly collected his books and they left the room, heads down, equally as embarrassed as each other.          

         Outside the room, Stephanie waved a silent, shy goodbye, and watched Simon walk down the corridor away from her. He was so perfect; she knew her life would never be the same now she had found him. She had to have him. He was The One. The first boy she would ever kill.