The Beginning of our Kind

Chapter #2 You and Me??

Liva's POV

I slid into my seat in our homeroom class with Joanna, my bestfriend, and Maci sitting next to me. I fix my glasses that are sliding down my face as I look over at James. He is busy talking to Sadie the head Cheerleader. Maci begins talking about plans for our basketball game against our biggest rival in our district tonight.

"I think we have a good shot of winning tonight." I suddenly stop mid sentence as I see our other friend walk in with Danny, Joanna's ex-boyfriend. He had his arm around Sally and she was sucking up his attention like it was water and she had been walking alone in a dry desert for months. I roll my eyes. Danny had been a pretty ok guy until he decided to become a player, but if I say anything than I am just being rude and cold because he dumped my bestfriend.

"All senior students are to report to the cafeteria immediately." The principle's voice came cutting through the early morning commotion. We all just kinda file out the room. As I was making my way out the door, Sadie "accidently" shoved me. I kept what I thought about her in my head as I smile and politely walk past, because her bratty self anit worth me getting kicked off the basketball team.

When we walked into the cafeteria a good twenty soldiers stood around with stacks of papers in front of each of them. It had nearly been twenty years since girls became required to sign up for the draft, but some girls still complained and found it unfair. We were separated into groups by the teachers and I felt heat creep into my face as I was put into the same group as James. He causally smiled at me and I had trouble keeping my balance.

Before long I was headed back to our homeroom with all my paperwork filled out. "Liva, Wait up." I turned to see James running at me.

"You forgot this." He handed me my bracelet that I had to take off so that the nurse lady could check my pulse and other vitals.

"Thanks." I gingerly reached to take the bracelet from his hand but as soon as my fingers touched his hand he closed his hand around them. In a panic I look up to his face and see a mysterious smile.

"I think you're gonna have to do more than just thank me to get this back." In the light of his teasing my heart was melting.

"Like what?" I squeak out the question.

"You're gonna have to give me a hug." I searched his eyes for a few seconds before I threw my arms around him quickly. I felt his arms move to go around and pulled back just as quick. His expression was pained but I knew that there was no way I would have been strong enough to let him hug me back. He slowly handed me my bracelet and then slowly began walking to the classroom as I fixed the clasp.

"That was weak." Joanna came up beside me. "After all this time of you obsessing over him and that was the best hug you could manage??"

"After Markus's accident I am afraid to show to much emotion about anything." I look away from her accusing gaze and slowly we walk back to the classroom.

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James's POV

I glanced to my side where Liva was impatiently twirling her hair around her finger. Nearly 3 months had passed since that day in the hallway and we had only had a few conversations since then. However, for some reason I absolutely could not stop thinking about her. Today was the last day of school for both of us and our Graduation tomorrow night would probably be the last time I ever saw her. Our History teacher was droning on about how us finishing High School could one day be something that someone was writing a report on. I heard a smart-Elec remark come from under Liva's breath and stole another glance at her. She had worn her hair down today, her glasses were casually resting in her face, her holey capris and senior 2030 t-shirt seemed to portray that she wasn't the girl to mess with; so all together her entire outfit clashed in a way that made it all go together and I would probably always remember it.

As soon as the bell rang people began filling out the door. I saw Sadie swing her backpack into an unsuspecting Liva. There was enough force to knock her off balance, and out of reflex I grabbed her around the waist, preventing her from falling. I suddenly felt like we were in a movie. She blushed deeply before thanking me silently and pulling away. I saw Sadie look like she was slapped and I couldn't help but smile because I absolutely hated her.

I saw Jack next to my car talking to Liva's younger sister Cara. He was joking around with her about her basketball skills and she was giving it right back. As far as looks went she was nothing like her sister but in attitude and feistiness she was right there with the Queen of Sarcasm Liva.

"Hey, Cara." I called out as I got closer.

"Hey, James." She smiled and then turned to Jack, "See ya later." I saw Liva headed to her car and knew that Cara had to get over there fast cause Liva would be leaving as soon as she got there.